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Five Great Civilizations

of Ancient World


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Five Great Civilizations

of Ancient World

Sehdev Kumar Sharma

Damanjit Kaur Pahuja

EDUCREATION PUBLISHING (Since 2011)

www.educreation.in


iv


v

Preface

After leaving my two decades career in Indian Air Force, I thought

in Lovely Professional University as a Assistant Profession in

School of Arts and Languages. I was always given opportunity to

teach the toughest subjects according to my caliber and reach. I

was fortunate enough that my class always had international

students across the globe.

While teaching a very specialized subject “Great Civilizations

of the World”, I came across many challenges as my students

always strived to acquire consolidated information in a single

book. Many a times, I also struggled to develop my content as per

syllabus and instruction plans. It instigated to explore the right

content and bunch it in a single frame. I also came across a very

talent historian who accepted my proposal to write a book on

world history. She tirelessly supported me in my every even and

odd time while writing this book.

Though ample number of books is already available in the

market on the subject matter, still we assume that this book will be

worth to read and understand the ancient concepts. To embark with

its features, we tried to arrange the study material systematically.

The books available in the market covers Indus Valley, Chinese,

Mesopotamia and Egypt but we have included Mayan Civilization

to extend the worth of this book. Further, we have highlighted the

social, political, cultural and economic aspects of every

civilization. We have gone through various books, journals and

online resources to provide best knowledge to our readers. In

addition to it, we tried to write this book in a very simple manner

The primal reason behind is to ensure that readers read it only

once and understand it thoroughly. Next, it would cover syllabus of

many academic institutions which would a good academic support

to our student readers. Last but not the least, the book can be read

as general reading book for the book lovers. We worked a lot to

arrange it in chronologically and interestingly to acquire perpetual

attention span of our reader.


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We admit that this book is as an exhaustive content. There

might be some aspects which could be left because of some

reasons. To err is human, though we tried to put our best in this

book by providing you right information, but it may have meager

flaws or diversified opinions. We appreciate our readers to kindly

inform us in case of any shortcoming.

Sehdev Kumar Sharma

[email protected]

Mob: - 9988014800

*****


mailto:[email protected]

vii

Preface

We feel privileged to write this book to cater the needs of students

of History subject during their higher level of studies and

preparation for competitive examinations. The book comprises

history of five great ancient civilizations across the globe. Every

unit is well designed and planned to facilitate insight about social,

economical, political and religious aspects of numerous dynasties

and kings of these civilizations. We have put in our best efforts to

provide realistic and accurate information to our students. We had

studied various texts and contents from different websites and text

books. We had included some pictures and maps to facilitate better

understanding for our readers.

We are sanguine that our efforts will help our readers to

understand the topics and prepare well for their forthcoming

examinations. We are very open to receive your feedback on our

efforts so that we put in more efforts to enlarge the editions of this

book by including more and more civilizations of the world.

We are thankful to almighty for bestowing us the right

wisdom to jot down this text for our readers. We are also thanking

our publishers for putting inour efforts to bring this text before the

mass readers. We hope that in future we will be coming up with

next concepts and topics.

Ms. Damanjit Kaur Pahuja

*****


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Five Great Civilization of Ancient World

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Chapter 1

The Indus Valley Civilization ______________________________________________________

1.1 Introduction

Indus valley civilization is one of the oldest civilizations of the

world. It is also known as “Bronze Age Civilization” because the

people used bronze to make their Tools, utensils etc. It was the

largest of four ancient urban civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia

and China. It covered an area of almost 13 lakh square kilometers.

No other

Ancient civilization was

extended to such a large area.

The historic discovery was

made by R.B. Dayaram

Sahni at Harappa in west

Punjab in 1921 A.D. The

primal sites of this

civilization are in Pakistan at

present. These are Harappa,

Mohenjo-Daro (Pakistan)

and Kalibangan, Sanghol, Mitathal, Alamgirpur and Lothal (India).

This Civilization was distinguished for its town planning. The

houses had followed a planned system. The streets were well

constructed with covered drainage system. Agriculture was prime

occupation of this civilization. Women had enjoyed high status.

People worshipped the Mother Goddess as a symbol of fertility.

They also worshipped birds, animals, sun and “The Lingas”

(Shivlinga). The music and dance were the main sources of


Sehdev Kumar Sharma, Damanjit Kaur Pahuja

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entertainment. People made great progress in the various types of

art. But, historians were not able to decipher the script of this era.

The chief source to know and understand the history of this

civilization is the archaeological excavations.

1.2 Discovery

The “Indus Valley “civilization is the earliest known civilization

of India. At first it came to the knowledge of mankind when

English Charles Masson discovered it in 1842. But then it could

not attract any archaeological interest for many years. In 1857 the

British engineers John & William Brunton found some bricks of

Harappa ruins while building “"East Indian Railway” line from

Karachi to Lahore. In 1872 Sir Alexander Cunningham published

the first Harappa seal. Later in 1912 more Harappan seals were

discovered by J. Fleat. Dayaram Sahni excavated this site in

Harappa in 1921 A.D. Another archaeologist R.D. Banerjee

excavated the site of Indus at Mohenjo-Daro in 1922 A.D. After

that numerous excavations were done under Sir John Marshall, Sir

Mortimer Wheeler, M.S. Vatas and N.G. Majumdar.

1.3. Age of Indus Valley Civilization

Indus Valley civilization was claimed to be about5000 years old.

There are different opinions about the era of this civilization.

According to Sir John Marshall it belonged to the period between

4000-2500 B.C. But according to Mortimer Wheeler it was from

2500 to 1700 B.C. On the other hand Dr.R.K. Mookerjee said that

it was from 3250 to 2750 B.C. While according to Dr. A.D.

Pusalkar it was from 2800 to 2500 B.C. As the majority of

historians feel that its era was 2250 to 1750 B.C. So it was

concluded that the Indus valley civilization existed between 3250

and 2750 B.C. During this period Mesopotamia, Egyptian and

Babylonia civilization also flourished. The recent Indian

archaeologists believe that it could have extended from 2500B.C.

to 1500 B.C.



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1.4 Major Cities

The historical resources support the following major cities of Indus

Valley Civilization.

1.4.1. Harappa

Harappa was large city of Indus valley civilization. It was located

in western Punjab (Now in Pakistan). It flourished around 2500

B.C. It was discovered by R.B. Dayaram Sahni in 1921 A.D. It was

spread over 5 kilometers. It had as many as 40000 residents. This

was assumed to be one of the modern towns of this civilization.

The houses were made of baked bricks and there was proper

facility of lighting at night. The roads and streets were sufficiently

wide. Moreover, many granaries, figures, utensils and coins were

found in this town. It was surrounded by walls on all the four sides

perhaps for trade regulation or safety against enemies.

1.4.2 Mohenjo-Daro

Mohenjo-Daro or “Mound of the dead” was the second important

town of Indus valley civilization. It was situated in Larkana district

in Sind (Pakistan). It was discovered in 1922 A.D. by R.D.

Banerjee. It was 483 km away from Harappa. Mohenjo-Daro was

known for its well-planned roads. It was a central place of trade

and farming. It was very prominent city because the great bath,

biggest granary, bronze figure of a dancing girl and large quantity

of seals were found from this site.

1.4.3. Kalibangan

Kalibangan is located in Rajasthan (India). The name of this city

derived from two words: “Kali” and “Bangan”. “Kali “means black

“Bangan” means bangle. It was famous for bangle making.

Kalibangan was discovered in 1953 A.D. by A.Ghosh. Later

B.K. Thappar and B.B. Lal continued the work. The five streets in

Kalibangan have been excavated. These streets were 1.8 to7.2

meters wide. The archaeologists found numerous utensils,

ornaments and toys of Harappa Civilization found here.



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1.4.4. Lothal

Lothal is situated in Gujrat (India). The literal meaning of the word

Lothal is “Place of the Dead”. It was an ancient mound at

Saragwala village in Dholka Taluka of Ahmadabad (India). It was

discovered by S.R. Rao in 1957 A.D. This town was famous for its

big harbor and port. It was one of the richest sites excavated within

the Indian border. The prosperity of this small town depended on

its overseas trade of semi-precious stones, beads, copper, ivory

hell and cotton goods exchange with West Asia. The entire

settlement was divided into a citadel or acropolis and lower town

which was protected against floods by a 13 meter thick mud brick

wall on the western side. The chief lived in the acropolis where

houses were built on three meter raised platforms facilitated with

all the civic amenities including paved baths, underground drains

and a well for potable water. The lower town was sub-divided into

two sectors. The main commercial centre in which craftsman lived

and other could have been residential sector. The most outstanding

remains were found a large tank identified as a dock and a ware

house.

1.4.5 Chanhudaro

It was located in Sind (Pakistan). It was excavated by N.G.

Majumdar in 1921 A.D. The two layers of this town show that it

was built and destroyed twice. It was famous for bead making.

1.4.6 Banawali

Banawali is found in Hissar, Haryana (India). It was discovered by

R.S. Bhist in 1973 A.D. This mound spread over an area of one sq.

km. The idols, coins, vessels, ornaments, beads of gold, semi-

precious stones, clay bangles, shell and copper have been

recovered during the excavation.

1.4.7 Kotdiji

It is one of the earliest known fortified cities. It was an important

site in Sindh (Pakistan) having a citadel and lower town. It had

defensive wall of mud bricks revetment in the exterior with

bastions and the inner face was enforced at intervals with a stone



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revetment bounded with stone courses at the bottom.

1.4.8 Dholavira

Dholavira was known as “kotada “is in Khadir island of Kutch,

Gujrat (India). In Dholavira there were found three distinct

complexes- An acropolis, a middle town and a lower town. The

first two of them were strongly fortified. The acropolis had one

gate at each side. The two gates on east and north are exposed and

found furnished with a flight of steps, a sunken passage way

flanked by elevated chambers and a high front terrace- remarkably

elaborate layout. In the centre of the citadel, there was an almost

13 meter wide water reservoir along with slabs which had

manholes. Besides, there found two lapidary workshops.

1.4.9 Kuntasi

It is situated 7 km from Gulf of Kutch, Gujrat (India). It was not

agricultural settlement but appeared to be a central place for

procuring raw materials and processing them into finished

products primarily for exporting them to Sindh and West Asia.

This city manufactured pottery, copper articles, bangles and beads

made of agate and carnelian and lapis lazuli. There were large inter

connected rooms for workers, large common kitchen and

workshops have led to the theory that Kuntasi was not a regular

feature of Harappa settlement but it might be meant for houses of

artisans who crafted the wares.

1.4.10 Sanghol

It was discovered by S.S. Talwar and R.S. Bhist in 1968 A.D.

Many vessels of the Indus valley civilization have been discovered

here. There was a big trench dug on the out skirt of the town and

this was always filled with water to safeguard against enemies.

1.4.11 Other Centers

Besides these other famous centers are located at Pakistan in

Dabarkot and Shahi Tump Baluchistan, Ali Murad and in India

Bada (Punjab) Rakhigadhi (Haryana), Badagaon and Ambkhedi

(U.P.) Rojdi, Bhagat Rao and Somnath (Gujrat).



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1.5 Town Planning

The Indus valley civilization was distinguished for its advanced

town planning. There was a remarkable uniformity in town

planning. It was based on grid pattern; with streets and lanes

cutting across one another at right angles dividing the city into a

number of rectangular blocks. The main features of town planning

of Harappa Civilization were as follows:

1.5.1 Houses

The people of Indus valley

civilization were great

architects. Harappa and

Mohenjo-Daro each had its

own citadel or acropolis, which

was possibly occupied by

members of ruling class. Below

the citadel in each city a lower

town containing brick houses.

These might have been

inhabited by the common people. The houses were open, large and

airy. These had an open courtyard, a well, a bathroom and covered

drains which were connected to the street drain. Sun dried bricks

were used for the foundation of the buildings and the roofs were

flat and made of wood. The people kept big doors, windows and

ventilators in their houses. All the windows and the doors open

towards the streets and not to the main roads. Some houses were

double storied. The stairs were used to climb to the top. The houses

were even protected from sounds, odours and thieves.

1.5.2 The Great Bath

The great bath was built of burnt bricks. It was surrounded by an

open brick-paved courtyard. It was one of the most significant

buildings to be excavated at Mohenjo-Daro. It is astonishing that

how this was built by the people of valley 5000 years ago.

“The Great Bath” measuring 180 feet by 108 feet. The bathing

pool was 39 feet long 28 feet wide and 8 feet deep. One flight of



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steps at either end led to the surface.

It was constructed with baked bricks. There was a well near

this pool from which it might have been filled. There was an outlet

from the bath led to a drain. The great bath building had six

entrances. It is suggested that the great bath might have served

rituals bathing.

1.5.3 Great Granary

Some gigantic granaries

were found at Harappa,

Mohenjo-Daro and

Lothal. In Mohenjo-

Daro the great granary

was about 45 meters

long and 15 meters

wide. But in the citadel

of Harappa we find as

many as six granaries.

Each granary measured

15.23 x 6.09 meters.

The combined floor space of the twelve units would be about 838

square meters. The grains were kept safe in these granaries. There

were barrack like quarters for workmen. The granary also had

smaller halls and corridors.

1.5.4 Drainage System

The drainage system of Indus Valley Civilization was very

impressive. The unique aspect of drainage system of valley was

underground drainage. The drains from the houses flowed into

drains in the streets. These were flowed in to big drain on the

outskirt of the town. The main sewer 1.5 meters deep and 91

centimeters across connected too many north-south and east-west

sewers. The drains were covered with slabs which could be easily

lifted to clean the drains. The street drains had manholes. The

drains were occasionally cleaned by workmen. In the city, nobody

was allowed to throw filth in the streets. From this unique and

scientific system of the valley, we could understand their hygiene



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consciousness.

1.5.5 Roads

People of valley were also known for construction of well-planned

roads. These roads were made all around the town. These roads

were wide their breadth was from 13 feet to 34 feet. There were

cross roads also. These were paved with fire burnt bricks and also

had lighting arrangements.

1.6 Political Life

There are different opinions among historians about political life of

the Indus valley civilization. We have no idea about the political

organization of the Harappa’s political life. There are buildings in

some Indus cities like Harappa that are thought to be palaces,

which certainly would indicate some kind of king. The well

planned cities, broad streets, drainage system, seals, trade with

foreign countries, weights and measures of valley shows good and

stable political life. The scientific sewerage system shows that

there must have been municipalities. Some historians believed that

there was priestly rule. But there was no strong evidence found to

prove any political authority in the reign.

1.7 Social Life

The social life of the people of Indus valley civilization was

systematic and adequately organized. People enjoyed a high

standard of living and were quite affluent. The main features of

their social life are as follows:

1.7.1 People

The study of remains illustrated that people might be grouped into

four major classes. These could be learned class, warriors, traders

and artisans. Their society was based not on castes rather on the

kind of occupation followed by them. The condition of women was

pretty good. The worship of mother goddess demonstrates that



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women were venerated in the form of mother. Their society seems

to have been matriarchal.

1.7.2 Food

People of valley were fond of eating. They ate wheat, barley, rice,

fruits and vegetables. Besides these, the diet of the people

consisted of fish, milk and meat of animals i.e. beef, mutton and

poultry. The half burnt bones give evidence of non-vegetarian life.

1.7.3 Dress

As many spinning wheels had found during excavations, it is clear

that people worn both cotton as well as woollen clothes. The

discovery of needles and buttons proved that people of Indus knew

the art of stitching. Generally, men wore a kind of shawl for the

upper body and a type of dhoti for the lower portion. On the other

hand, women wore a dissimilar kind of dress which elongated like

a fan at the backside of their heads.

1.7.4 Ornaments

During Indus Civilization, men and women were both very fond of

ornaments .They covered almost all parts of their bodies with

ornaments. The ornaments were made of gold, silver, copper and

other metals. These were decorated with precious stones like jade,

carnelian agate and lapis-lazuli. The women wore necklaces,

earrings, bangles, girdles, bracelets and anklets. The men also wore

necklaces, finger rings and armlets of various designs and shapes.

The expensive ornaments made of gold were worn by the rich and

nobles where as poor and middle class people used to wear

ornaments made of shell, bone or copper.

1.7.5 Fashion

The People of Indus Civilization were excessively fashionable.

They beautified themselves through ample amount of means. Men

were fond of growing small beards. They wore long hair, parted in

the middle and kept tidy at the back. The women usually wore

long hair in plait with fan shaped bow at the end. The fillets made

of gold or silver were used to keep the hair in particular position.



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An ample number of beautiful face mirrors and combs have been

found during excavations at various sites. Some materials made of

ivory and metal for holding and applying to hairs also found. Some

cosmetics found also proved that people knew the use of face paint

and collieries. The women also used hair pins made of ivory. They

kept their make-up articles in small ivory boxes.

1.7.6 Furniture and House-hold Articles

During the excavations, numerous house-hold articles as pottery,

vessels, chairs and beds made of wood, lamps of different material,

toys, marbles, balls, dice, spindles, needles and combs have been

found which throw valuable light on the social life of that age.

1.7.7 Amusements

People entertained themselves by a variety of sources. They liked

indoor games than outdoor amusements. The dicing and gambling

was their favorite time pass. They were fond of playing chess,

hunting, watching animal fights, fishing and clay modeling. The

dancing and singing were considered great arts. The young boys

played with toys made of terracotta, while girls played with dolls.

1.7.8 Domestication of Animals

Some animals were domesticated. These were oxen, buffaloes,

pigs, goats and sheep. The camels and asses were used as means of

transport. Some people kept cats and dogs as pets. Some bones and

skeletons of horses have been found at Surkotada (west Gujarat)

belong to around 2000 B.C. but the identity is yet doubtful. In any

case the Harappa culture was not horse centered. But elephants

were well-known to the Harappa. The existence of wild animals

like rhinoceros, tiger and bison in the Indus forests was confirmed

by terracotta figures of these animals.

1.7.9 Disposal of Dead

There were three manners of disposing the dead. Firstly the dead

body was buried, secondly after burying the corpse the dead body

was buried underneath the soil in the ground. Lastly the dead

bodies were left for wild animals in open place and would later



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