(Notes) Civil Services (Prelims) Examination : Indian History (Indus Valley Civilization) - Quick Revision Notes (III)

Indus Valley Civilization (Indian History)

31. Maximum number of seals have been found in Mohendojaro (57%). Second maximum at Harappa (36%).

32. Persian-gulf seal was found at Lothal—it is a button seal.

33. A Tiger seal was found at Banawali. 34. Iraqi cylindrical seal was found at Mohenjodaro.

35. A crucible for making bronze articles was discovered at Harappa.

36. Maximum bronze figures have been found in Mohenjodaro.

37. The Bronze dancing girl was found in Mohenjodaro.

38. Mostly limestone was used for sculptures.

39. Limestone sculpture of a seated male priest was found at Mohenjodaro.

40. An atta chakki (grinding stone) was discovered at Lothal.

41. Deluxe pottery was discovered at Banawali.

42. The only place where pottery depicting humans has been found is in Harappa.

43. Pottery inkpots and writing tablets (leafs) were found at Chanhudaro.

44. War-tools made of copper and bronze were discovered at Mohenjodaro. 

45. The site where oxendriven carts were found was Harappa.

46. A terracota model of a ship was found at Lothal. 

47. A seat latrine has been found at Mohenjodaro. 

48. A house floor containing the design of intersecting circles was found at Kalibangan.

49. The seals depicting the lord Pasupati Siva, Sumerian Gilgamesh and his two lions were found at Mohenjodaro. 

50. Agricultural implements were found in Mohenjodaro.

51. Ploughed field were found in Kalibangan.

52. Jowar (Jau) was found in Banawali.

53. Cotton spindles, (and sewing needles) have been found in Mohenjodaro.

54. Rice husk was discovered in Lothal and Rangpur.

55. The foreign site where Indus Valley Civilization cotton cloth has been discovered is Sumer.

56. Indus Valley Civilization people disposed of the dead bodies in three forms. At Mohenjodaro, we find three forms of burials: (a) Complete burial—whole body buried along with the grave goods. (b) Fractional burial—only bones (after exposure to beasts, birds, etc.) were buried along with goods. (c) Cremation burials—body was cremated in urns and then buried under house floors or streets. 

57. Four pot burials containing bone ashes were discovered at Surkatoda. 

58. Bodies were found buried in oval pits at Ropar.

59. Important measurements:

-  Great Bath: 12 m x 7 m x 2.4 m.

-  Hammam/Granary: 46 m x 23 m.

-  Collegiate building: 10 m square court.

-  Cubical bricks:10 x 20 x 40 cm3.

-  Average brick size: 5.5 x 12.5 x 26 cm.

-  Ratio of length, breadth and height of bricks: 4 : 2 : 1.

-  Larger bricks to cover drains: 51 cm (+).

-  Stone weights used for trade were in the denominations of: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, ..... 160 and decimal multiples of 16. Eg. 16, 320, 6400, 8000, 12800, etc.

-  Length was generally measured in: Foot (37.6 cm) and cubit (52 cm approx).

-  Granary at Lothal: 214 x 36 x 4.5 m.

-  Harappan storehouse: 50 m x 40 m, with a 7 m central passage.

60. The interesting evidences about the horse during Indus Valley Civilization are:

-  Horse bones have been found in Surkatoda.

-  Horse tooth has been found in Ranaghudai.

-  Terracota figure of a horse has been found inLothal.

-  Ashes of a horse have been found in Suktagendor.

61. Seals mostly depict the “humpless” bull (unicorn).

62. 75% terracota figures are of the “humped” bull.

63. The Garuda is depicted on a seal from Harappa.

64. Evidence of the rhinoceros comes from Amri and Kalibangan. It also tells us that there was plenty of rainfall there.

65. The Sumerian Gilgamesh seal also shows two tigers.

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