In 1827, a British East India Company soldier named James Lewis reached a breaking point. Frustrated with the antics and strictures of the Company, he decided to desert the army and pursue a life of adventure and discovery. To stay under the radar, he changed his name and embarked on a journey driven by his passion: traveling. For two years, he wandered across the Indian subcontinent, exploring its vast and varied landscapes, until he eventually reached the Punjab region in 1829. It was here that Lewis stumbled upon the ruins of an ancient city, unaware that he had just rediscovered one of the oldest civilizations known to humankind: the city of Harappa, part of the enigmatic Indus Valley Civilization.
The Discovery of Harappa
When Lewis first came across the ruins, he was fascinated by the remnants of this unknown city. Although he couldn’t determine the age of the ruins or the civilization to which they belonged, his deep passion for history compelled him to document everything he observed. He meticulously recorded his findings, including detailed notes and drawings of the ancient structures. Little did Lewis know that he had unearthed a civilization that would later be recognized as one of the most advanced and mysterious in the ancient world.
Fast forward nearly 100 years to the 1920s, when John Marshall, the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), began a more formal investigation of the Harappa ruins. With the help of Indian archaeologists, Marshall’s team conducted a comprehensive survey of the area and made a groundbreaking discovery: the ruins were over 5,000 years old, dating back to a civilization that had been forgotten for millennia.
The Rise of the Indus Valley Civilization
As more archaeological evidence surfaced, another significant site was discovered along the banks of the Indus River—Mohenjo-Daro, meaning “The Mound of the Dead.” This site, like Harappa, revealed a wealth of ancient artifacts and human skeletal remains, providing further proof of a highly developed civilization that had thrived thousands of years ago. As excavations continued, more historical sites were uncovered across the region, shedding light on a civilization that had once flourished along the banks of the Indus River.
Due to the geographical location of these ruins, the civilization was named the Indus Valley Civilization. Today, the civilization is well-documented in history books and is a key part of the school curriculum. Yet, despite our extensive knowledge, two major mysteries still surround the Indus Valley Civilization: the undeciphered Harappan language and the sudden decline of this great civilization.
The Undeciphered Indus Script
The Indus Valley Civilization was a Bronze Age society located in what is now Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Northwest India. To date, over 1,400 sites have been discovered, with 900 of them located in India alone. The civilization was contemporaneous with only a few others, including the Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Chinese civilizations. However, what sets the Indus Valley apart is its age and level of advancement.
Recent studies, including one by IIT Kharagpur and the ASI in 2016, suggest that the Indus Valley Civilization might be as old as 8,000 years, with evidence of farming settlements dating back to 7,000 BC. These early settlements eventually gave rise to sophisticated urban centers by 2,600 BC, characterized by multistoried brick houses, standardized brick sizes, and well-planned urban layouts. Each house was equipped with a toilet, bathing area, and drainage system, and the streets had proper gutters and footpaths lined with trees—features that, in some respects, surpass modern Indian cities.
Despite these advances, one of the greatest challenges historians face is understanding the Harappan language. Over 4,000 artifacts have been found with inscriptions in what is known as the Indus Script. These inscriptions are found on stone slabs, tablets, and copper plates, but their meaning remains elusive. The script, which reads from right to left, consists of more than 400 unique symbols, making it one of the most complex and undeciphered scripts in the world.
The Enigmatic Symbols of the Indus Script
Several intriguing patterns have emerged from the study of the Indus Script. For example, it has been observed that certain symbols consistently follow others, suggesting a structured language with its own rules. One of the most commonly found symbols is a jar-shaped figure, which often appears at the end of inscriptions, possibly indicating a full stop or some other form of punctuation. Interestingly, the Indus Script has also been found in Mesopotamia, indicating trade relations between these two ancient civilizations. However, the patterns of the script in Mesopotamia differ from those found in the Indus Valley, leading historians to speculate that the Mesopotamians may have used the Indus Script to write their own language.
Urban Planning and the Sophistication of Indus Valley Cities
The cities of the Indus Valley Civilization are remarkable not just for their age but also for their advanced urban planning. Each city was divided into two major sections: the Lower Mount, which was surrounded by a boundary wall, and the Citadel or Upper Mount, usually located to the west and built on higher ground. The citadel housed important public spaces such as marketplaces and workshops, and its walls served to protect the city from wild animals and floods.
One of the most iconic features of the city of Mohenjo-Daro is the Great Bath—a massive, multistoried structure that functioned as a communal bathing area. The bath, measuring 900 square feet in area and 2.4 meters deep, was constructed with waterproofed bricks and featured a sophisticated drainage system, ensuring a constant supply of fresh water.
What sets the Indus Valley Civilization apart from other Bronze Age societies, such as those in Mesopotamia and Egypt, is the apparent absence of temples, palaces, or royal tombs. This lack of religious or royal structures suggests that the Indus Valley people may have lived in a society without a strict social hierarchy or centralized religious authority—a rarity in ancient civilizations.
The Mysterious Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization
Between 1900 BC and 1300 BC, the Indus Valley Civilization experienced a rapid decline. Archaeological records show a cessation of urban planning, the abandonment of advanced drainage systems, and a breakdown in trade with Mesopotamia. By 1800 BC, most of the cities were deserted, and the once-thriving civilization had all but disappeared.
Several theories have been proposed to explain the sudden collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization. One theory suggests that the river on which the civilization depended, possibly the Saraswati River, began to dry up due to tectonic shifts or natural changes in the river’s course. Another theory points to deforestation, with the extensive clearing of forests for brick-making and cattle grazing leading to environmental degradation. A third theory speculates that a fatal disease, such as malaria or cholera, could have wiped out the population.
FAQs about the Indus Valley Civilization
1. What made the Indus Valley Civilization unique compared to other ancient civilizations?
The Indus Valley Civilization was unique in its advanced urban planning, standardized brick sizes, and lack of religious or royal structures. Unlike other Bronze Age civilizations, there is no evidence of a centralized monarchy or religious hierarchy in the Indus Valley, suggesting a more egalitarian society.
2. Why is the Indus Script still undeciphered?
The Indus Script remains undeciphered because no bilingual text, akin to the Rosetta Stone, has been found. Without a reference point to compare the script to a known language, deciphering the symbols has proven to be nearly impossible.
3. What are some of the theories regarding the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization?
The decline of the Indus Valley Civilization is still a mystery, but leading theories include the drying up of the Saraswati River, deforestation, and the outbreak of a fatal disease. Each of these factors could have contributed to the civilization’s sudden and rapid decline.
Conclusion
The rediscovery of the Indus Valley Civilization by James Lewis, later known through formal excavations, has unveiled a complex society that continues to captivate historians and archaeologists alike. The civilization’s advanced urban planning, standardized construction techniques, and enigmatic script highlight a society that was far ahead of its time. Yet, despite these discoveries, the Indus Valley Civilization remains shrouded in mystery, particularly regarding its language and the reasons for its decline. While various theories have been proposed, the true nature of the civilization’s collapse and the secrets held within the undeciphered Indus Script continue to elude us. As we piece together the remnants of this ancient society, we are reminded of the transient nature of civilizations and the enduring quest to understand our shared human past.
