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HISTORICAL STUDY OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SYSTEM OF ANCIENT INDUS CIVILIZATION
1. DR. SHAKEELA IBRAHIM, Assistant Professor, Humanities Department, Comsats
University Islamabad, Pakistan
2. DR. SAMAR MAJID, Assistant Professor, Department of History, arts and Cultural
Heritage, University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan 3. DR. SYED SHAMEEL AHMED QUADRI, Assistant Professor, Political Science, University
of Karachi
4. DR. SOHAIL AKHTAR, Lecturer, Department of History, Ghazi University Dera Ghazi
Khan, Pakistan
5. DR. SHAMSHAD AKHTER, Lecturer Punjab College Sialkot Pakistan
6. DR. TALIB ALI AWAN, Assistant Professor, MY University Islamabad
7. DR. NASEEM MAHMOOD, Department of Islamic Thought and Civilization, University
of Management and Technology, Sialkot
Abstract
Primarily this is an analytical study and it deals with ancient Indus Civilization. Historically the ancient Indus valley is considered one of the most developed civilizations of its contemporary civilizations of the time as in the surrounding of other civilization i.e. the Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations. In North-western of India the people of Indus valley were more aware and well-known from the socio-economic dynamics and they introduced the new pattern of life based on urban manners. The socio-economic life of the people was glorious as compared to other areas. The sound socio-economic system promoted the life standard of the people and the major cities of this civilization considered the centers of trade in India as Multan, Harappa near at Sahiwal and Mohenjo-Daro near at Larkana presented a well-developed socio-political and economic condition of the valley. This study is a brief discussion on the socioeconomic pattern of Ancient Indus Valley Civilization how it had a remarkable place in the world. The Paper explores and highlights socio-economic norms, traditions and sources of economy which uplifted the standard of the life of people in Indus Civilization. This article focuses ethnographic research method to find the targeted objectives.
Keywords: Indus Valley, Social, Economic, System, Development
INTRODUCTION
Indus valley is one of the most important civilization of the world and it is known as Indus due the Mighty Indus River. Arians called the river Sindhu as the reached in this part of the world. With the connection of the river the is also recognized as Sindhu-Desh and then called as Sindh. Later on the British called it Indus. All the area of Pakistan called Indus Valley in the Past. The People of the Valley were very well-known
1478
and they made great progress in socio-economic development. Their life style could be compared with the other important contemporary civilizations. The beginning of civilization was considered to be around 1500 BC with the arrival of Aryans. But long before the arrival of the Aryans, civilization had passed. It is called as Indus Valley Civilization. It is also known as Ancient India and Harappa Mohenjo-Daro Civilization. Its two major cities are Harappa (Punjab) and Mohenjo-Daro (Sindh). Apart from these two big cities, thousands of small towns and sites have been discovered. Archaeologists have made some guesses about it from the ruins of their cities, burial methods, pottery and metal objects. While his artwork is still a mystery. The paper is a historical study of the socio-economic system and development of Ancient Indus Valley Civilization.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Among the historical material lot of scattered works have been done by the author but there is not found the proper work on the selected topic of research. The work already has been done by the historians covered the contemporary period of Sindh and mostly the Muslim's era with some work on Chuch or the Dynasty of Raja Dabir i.e. Tareekh-e-Sindh, Fatih-Nama Sindh, Sindh aor Sufia, Sindhi Saqafat, History of Multan. The above work has been produced a clear gap regarding the socio-economic system of the ancient Indus civilization and therefore this article provides a brief information about the socio-economic pattern of the people of the valley.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This is an analytical study of the ancient Indus Valley and based on historic method of research through a qualitative approach with the help of documentary material based on primary and secondary sources due to the historical nature of the title. Therefore, historical tool of research has been adopted to complete this research i.e. books, articles, essays, maps, visit of sites.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
How much the civilization is ancient and progressive regrading socially and economically?
What was the socio-economic system of Indus Valley in the ancient time?
DISCUSSION
In 1921, Rai Bahadur Daya Ram Sahni found some traces of ancient civilization at Harappa. After a year, similar relics were found by Mr. RD Banerjee in the headland of Mohenjodaro. It was reported to the Indian Archeology Department. The Director General of the Department, Sir John Marshall, expressed interest and paid attention to these two places. So, under the orders of Rai Bahadur Diaram Sahni, Director Ernest McKay and others of the Department of Antiquities, excavation work began. In 1931 the work was stopped due to lack of funds. Meanwhile, the department started effective search at other places. It was a great success and it was found that this ancient
civilization is not limited to Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. On the contrary, there are traces of ancient civilization at Chinhodaro, Jhokar, Ali Murad and Amri in Sindh province and Ropar in Punjab province and Nal and Kili in Balochistan. It is believed that the foundation of civilization in Pakistan and India was laid by the Aryans in 1500 BC. Before that, the people here were far away from the wild and civilized. But later research brought about a sudden change in this ideology and pushed back the history of this country by one and a half thousand. On the one hand, the archeological findings of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, as well as information about the ancient civilization of Sindh, have proved that the country had become a cradle of civilization long before the arrival of the Aryans.
Before that, the inhabitants here were wild and far away from civilization. But the later investigation brought about a complete change in this theory and pushed the history of this country back twelve thousand years. On the one hand, the information about Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa and the ancient civilization of Sindh has proved that this country had become the cradle of civilization long before the arrival of the Aryans. Right now, as soon as we pass through the late Hijri era, in the Indus Valley, we see such signs of civility that we are amazed. We were just talking about the foundation of communal life, settlement of settlements, how much practice and cleanliness was created in the industry. Now once in a while we see the magnificent city. Their houses are mature and strong, two, two, three, three stories high. There are roads and markets in them. The life and customs and habits of its inhabitants seem to be molded in the mold. It is strange that the traces of the Indus Valley, which are the deepest, show the greatest development.
In the old excavations, there were forty-two cities and occupations associated with this civilization. Now its number has increased by hundreds. Dr. Rafiq Mughal has found three hundred and sixty-three buried settlements in Cholistan alone. Who belong to this culture. Apart from this, the effects of this civilization have been found in Sarai Khola, Jhang, Bathial, Galagai in Swat Valley, many places in Gomal Valley, Mehrgarh in Kachchi region of Balochistan. In India, the Ghaghar (Hakara) river basin and its tributaries are full of these monuments. It includes the provinces of Rajputana, East Punjab and Haryana. The places from which traces of this civilization have been found include Kali Bangan, Siswal, Banewali Munda and many other places. Lothal and Rangpur were big cities near the coast. Apart from them, there are many small settlements. The first found city of this civilization was Harappa and therefore it is also called Harappa civilization. The second largest city was Mohenjodaro. Later now Gunveri Wala has been found. Which is a bigger city than Harappa, but experts gave more importance to Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. Apart from Mohenjodaro, Harappa, Chinhodaro, Satkagandaro, Balakot, Sotka Koh, Tochi, Mazina Damb, Sakha Damb, Jhai, Ali Murad, Gunveriwala and many other cities are prominent cities of this civilization. Little is known about the culture of this age. Obviously, this culture will be even more backward than today's wild man. Were These people made weapons and used them.
Probably the first weapon was sticks made of tree branches. They then smashed one stone against another and separated the pieces and used the inner part of the stone as a force. The sharp pieces obtained from peeling stones were used for sharp weapons such as knives, spear fruit, burma, ax etc. People used to bury their dead and put weapons and other necessities in the grave. It hints at religion and the concept of life after death. The lack of artifacts discovered during this period shows that the population was very small and the human race was very rare. Common features of this widespread civilization are town planning, a uniform system of weights and measures, and writing. Spread over a vast area of about 5 lakh square miles, the cultural pattern of all these places, towns and cities has been that of Mohenjodaro and Harappa cities with slight differences. From which it is estimated that all this area must have been under the influence of one center.
Evidence has been found that the Tigris and Euphrates valleys, ie Mesopotamian or Iraqi civilizations, are considered by some researchers to be more ancient. Later, after the discovery of artefacts at Majno Darro and Harappa and then excavations at Kot DJ, etc., the idea of conservatism of Indus Valley Civilization of Pakistan began to prevail. In 1921, Rai Bahadur Diya Ram Sahni found some traces of ancient civilization at Harappa. A year later, similar artifacts were found in the land of Mohenjo-daro to Mr. RD Banerjee. This was reported to the Archaeological Survey of India. The Director General of the Department, Sir John Marshall, while expressing interest, paid close attention to these two places. So the excavation work started under the orders of Rai Bahadur Dia Ram Sahni, Director Ernest McKay and other orders of the Impact Department. Work was halted in 1931 due to lack of funds. In the meantime, the department has started searching for other places- It was a great success and it was discovered that this ancient civilization was not limited to Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. On the contrary, there are traces of ancient civilizations in Sindh province like Chanhodaro, Jhukar, Ali Murad and Amri and in Punjab province Rupar and in Balochistan at Naal and Kali.
The entire vast area in all the details of material culture. Which archaeologists now call the Greater Indus Valley. . It has complete uniformity among themselves. Pottery is the same everywhere. As a result of mass production, the houses are built on fixed standard plans and are made of solid bricks. The seals are decorated with similar carved scenes and the script is the same everywhere. A single standard system of weights and measures prevails everywhere.
Experts generally avoid using the word empire for the Indus Valley Civilization. But perhaps Pigot and Weller have used the word Indus Empire briefly. While this is the trend of most experts, it cannot be considered an empire. But there are some basic facts that no other interpretation has been possible yet. The great uniformity of the industrial production of the Indus Valley certainly gives room for the idea that there was a powerful central government. Who was controlling the whole area. In addition, there was an integrated chain of production and distribution that she controlled. Of
course, one of its outcomes was a well-integrated system of tolls and highway protection. Harappa and Mohenjo Daro were contemporary cities, which were probably twin capitals. There were high forts inside these two cities. Who seemed to dominate the rest of the population. Therefore, there was room for speculation that these were the capitals of the central government..
Right now, as we pass through the late Hijri era, we see such traces of civilization in the Sindh Valley that we are left stunned. We were just talking about laying the foundations of communal life, settling settlements, creating a lot of practice and cleanliness in the industry. Now all of a sudden we see a magnificent city. Their houses are solid and strong, two or three storeys high. They have roads, they have markets. The life and customs and habits of their inhabitants seem to be molded. This strange thing is that the traces of the Indus Valley which are at the deepest point indicate the most development.- That is to say, when the city first became the first, then the civilization here had reached its peak and later it continued to decline. The exposure and interpretation of the Indus Valley Civilization is perhaps the greatest modern event of the twentieth century. Because the breadth and significance of this civilization could not be understood before the excavation of Mohenjo-daro in 1922. The Indus Valley Civilization is one of the most magnificent things in the history of Pakistan. There are many features of this civilization that are unique to it. In the past, experts were of the opinion that this civilization was brought from this land from West Asia and was the cause of the rise and fall of the civilization of West Asia. But in 1950, Dr. FA Khan excavated Kot DJ. It brought new things and changed old ideas. Kot DJ found a population long before the hard times of Harappa- The time of its civilization was determined by radiocarbon and it was found that this population is 800 years older than Harappa. This was followed by a series of excavations. From which it has come to the basic proof that the sources of this civilization were in this land. This was a necessary consequence of the evolution of local society, and whatever external influences were secondary and less important. The mature period of this civilization is from 2500 BC to 1700 BC. But in fact its continuity can be seen up to 3800 BC. Its sphere of influence extends from Badakhshan in northern Afghanistan to the coast in the south-Where it extends from the coast of Balochistan to Kathiawar. In the ancient excavations there were forty-two cities and occupations associated with this civilization. Now the number has increased by hundreds. In Cholistan alone, Dr. Rafiq Mughal has found 363 buried settlements. Who belong to this civilization. Apart from this, the effects of this civilization have been found in Sarai Khola, Jhang, Bathial, Ghalagai in Swat valley, many places in Gomal valley, Mehrgarh in Kachhi area of Balochistan. In India, the Ghaghar River (Hakra) and its tributary basin area is full of these monuments. It includes the provinces of Rajputana, East Punjab and Haryana. Among the places where traces of this civilization have been found here are Kali Bangan, Seswal, Banewali Manda and many other places. Lothal and Rangpur were big cities near the
coast. Apart from these, there are many small settlements. The first city to meet this civilization was Harappa and for this reason it is also called Harappa Civilization. The second largest city was Mohenjo-daro. Later, Gunveri was found. Which is a larger city than Harappa, but experts gave more importance to Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. Notable cities of this civilization include Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, besides Chanhudaro, Satkagan Daro, Balakot, Sotka Koh, Tochi, Mezina Dumb, Siya Dumb, Jhai, Ali Murad, Gunveriwala and several other cities.
The presence of large cities is proof that the population was large. It was in the cities, but also in the villages. Commodities in abundance ... More than your local needs . Was producing so that these goods could be sent to the cities. The frequent use of solid bricks across the country is proof that there were vast forests. The shapes of animals on pots and seals and their bones on burials are evidence of the abundance of animals and, in other words, the abundance of forests. Among the animals were rhinos, lions, river buffaloes and elephants. Evidence of a crocodile has also been found. Some breeds of bears, monkeys, squirrels and parrots have also been found. Twelve sanghas and deer have also been found. In all the details of material culture, the whole vast area . Which archaeologists now call the Greater Indus Valley. - There is complete uniformity between them. The pottery is the same everywhere. As a result of wholesale production, the houses are built on standard maps and are made of solid bricks. The seals are adorned with a kind of carved landscape and the script is the same everywhere. The same standard system of weights and measures is in place everywhere. Experts generally refrain from using the word empire for the Indus Valley Civilization. But perhaps Puget and Wheeler have used the word Indus Empire superficially. While this is the tendency of most experts, it cannot be considered an empire. But there are some basic facts that no other explanation has yet been possible. The strong uniformity of industrial production in the Indus Valley certainly gives rise to the idea that there was a strong central government. Which controlled the whole area. In addition, there was an integrated chain of production and distribution that she controlled. Definitely one of the products was the integrated system of toll collection and highway safety. Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were contemporary cities, which were certainly twin capitals. Inside these two cities there were high forts. Which seemed to dominate the rest of the population. Therefore, there was room for speculation that it was the capital of the central government. The uniformity of the Indus Valley was the same intensity in time and place. On the one hand, it is the same from Balochistan to Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. On the other hand, as long as this civilization lasted for a period of thirteen hundred years, its details did not change. A total of nine residential layers were excavated in Mohenjo-daro. There is evidence of flood damage in many places. But there is no difference in the material culture of these different periods. Neither the language nor the script has changed. In a land where language has taken many forms and the script has changed radically over and over again, the continuity of a single script is a great proof of its stability. On the one
hand, he had relations with Akkad and Sumer. On the other hand, for thirteen hundred years they did not learn anything from Akkadian and Sumerian by changing industrial methods. This means that the reasons for stagnation were internal and very strong and the external influences were weak.
Kosamby added that the civilization lacked spread. That is, cities along the Indus and its tributaries were inhabited. The rest of the population consisted of small villages and this civThe great uniformity of products and handicrafts across the country was not only the result of the strict laws of the central government, but also the commercial laws of the society. Who had a religious color. Of course it will be very tough. On which letters were followed. The weights were the same in each region. The texture of the bronze ax and the shape of the blade were similar. The size of the bricks, the layout of the houses, the layout of the main streets, the town planning of the entire city was similar. On top of that, for centuries, new buildings were built on top of old buildings. The outer four walls of a house did not change for many centuries. This means that both the ruling and the subjugated classes did not feel the need for change.ilization did not go to the Ganges and Jamun valleys and the Khaknae Deccan. The artisans were bound by the bonds of caste and continued to do the same work from generation to generation and something similar happened to the upper classes. The uniformity of the Indus Valley was equally intense in time and space. On the one hand, it is the same from Balochistan to Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. On the other hand, as long as this civilization survived for thirteen hundred years, there was no difference in its details.
A total of nine residential layers were excavated in Mohenjodaro. There is evidence of flood damage in many places. But there is no difference in the material culture of these different periods. Neither the language nor the script has changed. In a land in which the language has taken many forms and the script has been completely changed again and again, the continuity of the same script is a great proof of its volatility. On the one hand, he had relations with Akkad and Somer. On the other hand, for thirteen hundred years, they learned nothing of the changing industrial methods from Akkad and Sumer. The special things that are characteristic of the Indus Valley are as follows. On the basis of which new things found in a particular area can be related to this civilization. 1) ) Seals of Indus Valley.
(2) The script which is usually on the seals and vessels.
(3) Special decorative patterns on the pots. Cutting circles, striped patterns, papaya leaves, roses and peacocks.
(4) Some special containers. For example, the return of a small pan. Specific exposure of the Indus Valley, with innumerable holes. Long jars whose mouth is curved outwards and whose neck is slightly narrower than the abdomen. The foot is smaller than the grain. Pandan saucer.
(5) Triangular pieces of clay that have been cooked.
(6) Snail or fortified hard soil fragments. Which were applied to various products and their shape is similar to kidney or mango-
(7) Certain beads, such as loan beads, I have a corrugated round hole.
(8) A leaf-shaped copper knife. This valley was not found except in Sindh.
Among the buildings found in Cholistan, the Dravidian fort is the most impressive, like a destructive ship anchored in a sea of sand. It is safe to say that it is still in the possession of the Nawabs of Bahawalpur who have established themselves in this area. It was built by Bhati or Bahariya whose name was Dera Sindh. It is also called Dewar-e-Awal.
The fort was originally named Dewar I after him but later it was called Dravidian. We do not know much about the earliest history of Dravidian fort but we do know how Nawab Muhammad of Bahalpur It was rebuilt by Khan in 1722. Six years later, Nadir Shah conferred the title of Nawab on him and granted him a vast territory of Sindh which included present day Shikarpur, Larkana, Sivastan and Chhaya Thiar areas of Dravid. In addition to all these territories, the area was granted. During the reign of more or less the third Nawab Mubarak Khan, it was voluntarily returned on the condition that half of the revenue of this fort would be given to him. In the late 18th century, the area of Larkana was under the control of the former rulers of Bahawalpur State. Fort Dravar has 40 towers, a well inside and a large pool of water at the main entrance. The square fort covers an area of about 220 meters. And on the east side of the billowing river is the main gate of the fort. Most of its towers are still standing. And the horizontal walls of the fort have been repaired. The walls are 30-32 meters high rising from the surrounding moat. Dilu Rai
In the Dera Ghazi Khan Division the site of Dillu Rai is also considered an important part of this Civilization. It is located near at Jampur Tehsil and almost 50 km from Dera Ghazi Khan. Currently archeology department worked on this site and discovered many articles from this site during digging in 2020.
FINDINGS
Although little specific information is available about its governance, its uniform street layout, use of standard-sized bricks, extensive public works such as warehouses and drainage. etc. better management implies a centralized government and joint planning. language. The writing style on the seals found here, though still a mystery as it is of a symbolic type, is believed to be from the Dravidian language family. The economy Their livelihood was agricultural produce (wheat, rice, etc.). And animals were also bred. Handicrafts were also an important part of their economy. Samples of dyeing of cloth have also been found at Mohenjo-Daro, and traces of weaving of cotton cloth from cotton have been found since 2000 BC. Religion A general inference about his religion is a large bathing pool at Mohenjo-Daro, which may have been built for
ritual purposes. Apart from this, it is known from the idols with the image of a woman that the people of the Indus Valley Civilization would be the priests of Mother Earth.
CONCLUSION
The discussion is concluded with this analysis that the Indus civilization was a well-developed civilization of the world before the arrival of the Arians. The people were well organized, aware, serious and sensible regarding socio-economic norms and traditions. The life style, pattern of houses, making things, tool, domestic and mutual life were splendid. For a peaceful and prosperous life, they set a government and better administration. They also knew about to adjust their-selves according to the weather condition. They prepared a good derange system in the valley. All this represents them a well aware people of their contemporary age. Therefore, it can be said that the sociopolitical and economic system of the valley was well developed and up to the mark in the world as compared to the contemporary civilizations.
REFERENCES
[1] H.G, Wells, The Outline of History, Garden City, New York, 1930,P.01
[2] H.G, Wells, the Outline of History, Garden City, New York, 1930, P.46
[3] Gordon Childe, What Happened in History, Penguin Books, Australia, 1960, P.17
[4] A.R. Radcliffe, Brown, Structure and Function in Primitive Society, P.157
[5] Burbs and Ralph, World, Civilizations, Vol-I, Norton & company, New York, 1980, p.15
[6] Springer Oswid, The Decline of the world, New York, 1934, P.23
[7] Arnold J. Toynbee, A study of History, Vol-IV, Oxford University Press, London, 1945, P.35
[8] Arnold J. Toynbee, A study of History, Vol-IV, Oxford University Press, London, 1945, P.39
[9] Burns and Ralph, P.22.
[10] Ellsworth Huntington, Civilization and Climate, P-220
[11] Yahya Amjad, Tareekh Pak-o-Hidn, Qadeem, Vol-I,
[12] D.D. Kosambi, Ancient India,
[13] T.H, Sorly, Gazetteer of Sindh,
[14] Al-Baironi, Abu Rehan, Kitab-ul-Hind,
