रहस्य सिंन्धु घाटी सभ्यता का | Mystery Of Indus Valley Civilization | Ds Education

Summary

In 1827, James Lewis, a British soldier, left the army and embarked on a journey of exploration, eventually discovering ancient ruins in Punjab. Unknowingly, he had uncovered remnants of the Harappan Civilization, which was later explored in the 1920s by archaeologist John Marshall. The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the oldest in the world, flourished around 8000 years ago but mysteriously declined between 900-1300 BCE. Despite the advances in urban planning, the civilization's language and its sudden downfall remain unsolved mysteries. The remnants of these ancient cities, long buried, were rediscovered by Lewis. The video delves into these fascinating findings.

Takeaways

• 😀 James Lewis, a British East India Company soldier, left the army in 1827 and set out on a journey to follow his passion for traveling.
• 😀 After two years of traveling around the Indian subcontinent, in 1829, James reached Punjab, where he discovered ancient ruins that he documented.
• 😀 James had no idea that he had discovered the remains of the ancient Harappan city, which was later identified as part of the Indus Valley Civilization.
• 😀 It wasn't until 1920, when John Marshall became the Director of the Archaeological Survey of India, that the world learned about this ancient civilization.
• 😀 The Indus Valley Civilization, dating back over 5,000 years, is one of the oldest known civilizations, alongside Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations.
• 😀 In 2016, IIT Kharagpur's study suggested that the Indus Valley could be as old as 8,000 years, with farming settlements dating back to around 7,000 BC.
• 😀 The pre-Harappan phase of the civilization, lasting from 7,000 BC to 5,500 BC, featured early agricultural tools and pottery but lacked major urban development.
• 😀 Around 2,600 BC, the Harappan civilization advanced with the construction of multi-story buildings, standardized brick sizes, drainage systems, and public wells.
• 😀 Despite the impressive urban planning, the Harappan script remains undeciphered, and the meaning of their language is still unknown.
• 😀 The mystery of the civilization's decline between 900 BC and 1,300 BC remains unsolved, with cities being abandoned and trade links broken, leading to the eventual disappearance of the civilization.
• 😀 Over time, the Harappan cities were buried under the earth, new civilizations emerged, and James Lewis's rediscovery of these ruins helped bring attention back to the forgotten past.

Q & A

Who was James Lewis, and what was his role in the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization?

James Lewis was a British soldier who, in 1827, joined the British East India Company. He eventually left the army and became an explorer with a passion for history and travel. During his travels in the Indian subcontinent, he discovered ancient ruins in the Punjab region, unknowingly uncovering parts of the Harappan Civilization.

What is the significance of the ancient city ruins James Lewis discovered in 1829?

The ruins James Lewis discovered in 1829 were part of the Indus Valley Civilization, which was unknown at the time. These ruins included structures and artifacts that would later provide crucial insights into one of the world's earliest urban societies.

When did the world first learn about the Harappan Civilization's true age?

The world first learned about the true age of the Harappan Civilization in 1920 when John Marshall, appointed as the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, began detailed excavations and revealed that these ancient cities were over 5,000 years old.

What other important archaeological site was discovered alongside Harappa?

Alongside Harappa, another significant archaeological site called Mohenjo-daro was discovered. This site, located near the Indus River, was named 'The Mount of the Dead' due to the discovery of human remains, further revealing the extent of the ancient civilization.

Why is the Indus Valley Civilization still a mystery despite many discoveries?

The Indus Valley Civilization remains a mystery mainly due to the inability to understand its script and the reasons behind its sudden decline. The script found on over 4,000 seals and artifacts has yet to be deciphered, and the cause of the civilization's collapse is still unclear.

What is known about the Indus Valley Civilization's language?

The language of the Indus Valley Civilization, seen on over 4,000 seals and artifacts, remains undeciphered. Despite numerous attempts, no one has been able to understand the meanings of the symbols, leaving it one of the civilization's greatest mysteries.

How advanced were the cities of the Indus Valley Civilization?

The cities of the Indus Valley Civilization were highly advanced, with multi-story buildings, standardized bricks, sophisticated drainage systems, public wells, and even toilets in each house. The urban planning was ahead of its time, and these cities were better planned than many modern cities.

What is the 'pre-Harappan phase' in the context of the Indus Valley Civilization?

The 'pre-Harappan phase' refers to the period from 7,000 BCE to 5,500 BCE, during which the early stages of farming settlements and pottery were established. This phase predates the urbanization of the civilization, which began around 5,500 BCE.

What happened to the Indus Valley Civilization around 1,800 BCE?

Around 1,800 BCE, the Indus Valley Civilization began to experience a rapid decline. Trade links with Mesopotamia were broken, and many cities were abandoned. By 600 BCE, the civilization had completely disappeared, and new civilizations emerged on top of the old ruins.

What are some theories regarding the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization?

The exact cause of the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization remains unknown. However, some theories suggest that climate change, shifts in the course of the Indus River, overuse of resources, or invasions may have contributed to the collapse of this once-thriving civilization.