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Prelims Full Syllabus

HISTORY
1) INDUS VALLEY CIVILISATION
The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) was a Bronze Age civilisation in the north-
western regions of South Asia, lasting from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE, and in
mature form from 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE.
Along with ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia it was one of three early
civilisations of West- and South Asia, and of the three, the most widespread,
its sites spanning an area stretching from northeast Afghanistan, through
much of Pakistan, and into western- and north-western India.
It flourished in the basins of the Indus River, which flows through the length
of Pakistan, and along a system of perennial, mostly monsoon-fed, rivers that
once coursed in the vicinity of the seasonal Ghaggar-Hakra river in northwest
India and eastern Pakistan.
The civilisation's cities were noted for their urban planning, baked brick
houses, elaborate drainage systems, water supply systems, clusters of large
non-residential buildings, and new techniques in handicraft (carnelian
products, seal carving) and metallurgy (copper, bronze, lead, and tin).
The large cities of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa very likely grew to containing
between 30,000 and 60,000 individuals,and the civilisation itself during its
florescence may have contained between one and five million individuals.
Gradual drying of the region's soil during the 3rd millennium BCE may have
been the initial spur for the urbanisation associated with the civilisation, but
eventually also reduced the water supply enough to cause the civilisation's
demise, and to scatter its population eastward.
The Indus civilisation is also known as the Harappan Civilisation, after its
type site, Harappa, the first of its sites to be excavated early in the 20th
century in what was then the Punjab province of British India and now is
Pakistan.
The discovery of Harappa and soon afterwards Mohenjo-Daro was the
culmination of work beginning in 1861 with the founding of the Archaeological
Survey of India during the British Raj.
There were however earlier and later cultures often called Early Harappan and
Late Harappan in the same area; for this reason, the Harappan civilisation is
sometimes called the Mature Harappan to distinguish it from these other
cultures.
By 2002, over 1,000 Mature Harappan cities and settlements had been
reported, of which just under a hundred had been excavated,However, there
are only five major urban sites:Harappa, Mohenjo-daro (UNESCO World
Heritage Site), Dholavira, Ganeriwala in Cholistan and Rakhigarhi.
The early Harappan cultures were preceded by local Neolithic agricultural
villages, from which the river plains were populated.

The Harappan language is not directly attested, and its affiliation is uncertain
since the Indus script is still undeciphered.A relationship with the Dravidian
or Elamo-Dravidian language family is favoured by a section of scholars.

The Extensive Indus Valley Sites of Gujarat

The Indus Valley Civilization is believed to have existed between the 3rd and
2nd millenniums BC. This civilization covered an area of around 1,210,000
square km (467,183.6 square mi).
As a comparison, the area that was occupied by the Mesopotamian civilization
between the Tigris and Euphrates during the 3rd millennium BC was around
65,000 square km (25,096.6 square mi), whilst the areas of the ancient
Egyptian civilization that were cultivated, i.e. the Nile Valley, only amounted
to 34,440 square km (13,297.4 square mi).

Divisions of the Indus Valley

Today, the area once occupied by the Indus Valley Civilization is divided
mainly between the countries of India and Pakistan.
Two of the most well-known Indus Valley sites – Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa,
are located in Pakistan.
Many other Indus Valley sites, however, are much less famous. This article
will deal with some of the sites of the Indus Valley Civilization that are located
in Gujarat, a western state in India.

In a list of Indus Valley Civilization sites that are currently known, there are
a total of 13 sites located in Gujarat. Many of these sites have yielded
incredible findings, though some are more obscure than others.
For instance, it is likely that few would have heard of a site called Surkotada.
This site, which is located in the Kutch district, is said to be the only known
site in the entire Indus Valley Civilization where the bones of a horse have
been found.
Another site, called Rangpur, which is located in the Ahmedabad district,
was discovered to have had a seaport. Yet another site, Malwan, which is
located in the Surat district, is said to be the southern-most site of the
Indus Valley Civilization, thus marking the southern extent of this ancient
civilization.
Lothal: A Sheltered Harbor and Rice Cultivation
There are also other sites of the Indus Valley Civilization in Gujarat that
people may be relatively more familiar with. One of these sites is Lothal,
which, like Rangpur, is also located in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad district. This site
was discovered in 1954, and then excavated until 1963 by the Archaeological
Survey of India (ASI). The people of the Indus Valley civilization are said to
have been attracted to settle at this site due to its sheltered harbor, which
was suitable for the building of a port.
Whilst other crafts, such as goldsmithing, shell-working, and copper-working
are said to have been carried out in Lothal, it is the bead industry that was
reckoned to have been the main industry of the settlement. Lothal was
especially famous for its micro-beads, some of which were found to measure
as little as 0.25 mm (0.01 inches) in diameter.
Other Large Sites of the Indus Valley in Gujarat
Another Indus Valley site in Gujarat is Dholavira, which is located in the
Kutch district. This site was discovered in the 1960s, and has been excavated
almost continuously by the ASI since 1990. Dholavira is said to be one of the
five largest Indus Valley sites, the others being Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa,
Gharo Bhiro (all in Pakistan) and Rakhigarhi (in India).
Other Large Sites of the Indus Valley in Gujarat
Another Indus Valley site in Gujarat is Dholavira, which is located in the
Kutch district. This site was discovered in the 1960s, and has been excavated
almost continuously by the ASI since 1990. Dholavira is said to be one of the
five largest Indus Valley sites, the others being Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa,
Gharo Bhiro (all in Pakistan) and Rakhigarhi (in India).

Apart from the fortifications, Dholavira is also noteworthy for its water
management system. For example, 16 or more reservoirs of varying designs
and shapes were built and arranged in a series on all four sides of the
settlement. In addition to being an affirmation of the skills of the settlement’s
engineers, these reservoirs are also said to highlight the city planner’s abilities
in organizing and beautifying their city.
Important facts
 John Marshall was the first researcher to use the term, ‘Indus Valley
Civilization’.
  Indus Valley Civilization spread from the year 2500 – 1750 BC
according to radio-carbon dating.
 The most distinctive feature of the Harappan Civilization was its
urbanization.
 Moreover, sheep and goats, dogs, humped cattle buffalo, and elephant
were domesticated in Indus Valley Civilization.
 The capital cities are Mohenjodaro and Harappa.
 The port cities are Sutkagendor, Balakot, Lothal, Allahdino, and
Kuntasi.
 The Indus valley people were well-acquainted with the use both
of cotton and wool.
Major Cities
Mohenjodaro (Sind)
 It is located on the right bank of the Indus.
Kalibangan (Rajasthan)
 It was on the banks of the river Ghaggar river
Chanhudaro
 It lies on the left bank of the Indus in the south of Mohenjodaro.
Lothal
 It is located at the head of the Gulf of Cambay.
Surkotada (Gujarat)
 It is at the head of the Rann of Kutch.
Banawali (Haryana)
 It was situated on the banks of the now extinct Sarasvati
Dholavira (Gujarat)
 It excavated is in the Kutch district
Social features
 Indus valley civilization is the first urbanization in India
 It has well-planned drainage system, grid pattern and town planning
 They have possessed equality in society
Religious Facts
 Matridevi or Shakti is the Mother goddess
  Yoni worship and Nature worship existed.
 They worshiped trees like Peepal
 They also worshiped Fire worship called Havan Kund.
 Pashupati Mahadeva is known as the lord of Animals
 The people of Indus Valley Civilization worshiped Animal worship like
Unicorn and ox.
Economic facts
 Indus valley civilization is based on agriculture
 Trade and commerce flourished in this period.
 A dockyard has been found at Lothal.
 There were export and import.
 Production of cotton was there
 16 was the unit of measurement
 Weights and measures of truth existed in Harappan culture was seen
at Lothal.
 The weights were made of limestone, steatite, etc. and were usually
cubical in shape.
2) Vedic age- Jainism and Buddhism
Vedic culture is divided into two groups and four Vedas – Aryans, Dravidians,
and Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra respectively.
It was founded in 1200 BCE. In the Vedic period, agriculture and pastoralism
were economic factors. Vedas is the reason for religions flourishment.
Religious Movements marked its changes with creating Upanishads.
Let us learn more about Vedic Culture and two main religions – Buddhism
and Jainism.
Brahmana is the religious group with has scholars and well-educated people
of that era. Therefore, brahmana is the most respected tribe.
Kshatriya is the tribe which protects and fights for the welfare of the
kingdom. Hence, Kings and soldiers usually belong to this tribe of Vedic
culture.
Vaishya is the tribe which endured in an occupation like agriculture and
cattle rearing but over a time they became the landowners and money lenders.
Shudra is the lowest of all the varnas.
Four Vedas of Indian Culture
In India four Veda flourished and the below mentioned are the 4 Vedas of
Indian Culture and also the significance of that particular Veda
 The Rig Veda: Book Of Mantras
 The Sama Veda: Book Of Chant
 The Yajur Veda: Book Of Ritual
 The Atharva Veda: Book Of Spell
he caste system introduced on Vedic Culture was very rigid and interchange
amongst the caste was impossible. The religious rebel was strong in India at
that time 62 different religious came up but the two main Religions to have
its origin in India during this era are Jainism and Buddhism.
Jainism was found by Mahavir Vardhaman. This religion has twenty-four
Tirthankaras, all of them belonged to the royal family. Jain Tirthankaras of
two types and they are Rishabha and Arishtanemi. Four teachings of Jainism
are
 Non-lying: Satya
 Non-Injury: Ahinsa
 Non-Stealing: Asatya
 Non-Possession: Aparigraha
Once Mahavira attained supreme knowledge he was also known as Jitendriya
(one who has conquered all his sense), Nragrantha (free from all bounds),
Mahavira (the brave).
Jains are therefore the followers of Mahavira. Twelve Angas define Jainism
completely and accurately Vallabhi has a written verse of their Angas.
 Jainism is a very ancient religion. As per some traditions, it is as old as
the Vedic religion.
 The Jain tradition has a succession of great teachers or Tirthankaras.
 There were 24 Tirthankaras the last of which was Vardhaman
Mahavira.
 The first Tirthankara is believed to be Rishabhanath or Rishabhadev.
 The 23rd Tirthankara was Parshvanatha who was born in Varanasi. He
may have lived in the 8th or 7th century BC.
 All the Tirthankaras were Kshatriyas by birth.
Vardhaman Mahavira (539- 467 B.C.
 Considered the last Tirthankara.
 He was born at Kundagrama near Vaisali.
 His parents were Kshatriyas. Father – Siddhartha (Head of Jnatrika
Clan); Mother – Trishala (Sister of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka). (Chetaka’s
daughter married Haryanka King Bimbisara).
 He was married to Yasoda and had a daughter Anojja or Priyadarsana.
 At the age of 30, Vardhaman renounced his home and became a
wandering ascetic.
 He also observed self-mortification.
 After 13 years of penance, he attained the highest spiritual knowledge
called Kevala Jnan. He attained this at Jimbhikagrama village under a
sal tree aged 42. This is called Kaivalya. Thereafter, he was called
Mahavira, Jina, Jitendriya (one who conquered his senses), Nigrantha
(free from all bonds) and Kevalin.
 He preached his teachings for 30 years and died at Pava (near
Rajagriha) aged 72.
 Mahavira rejected Vedic principles.
 He did not believe in God’s existence. According to him, the universe is
a product of the natural phenomenon of cause and effect.
 He believed in Karma and transmigration of the soul. The body dies but
the soul does not.
 One will be punished or rewarded as per one’s karma.
 Advocated a life of austerity and non-violence.
 Stressed on equality but did not reject the caste system, unlike
Buddhism. But he also said that man may be ‘good’ or ‘bad’ as per his
actions and not birth.
 Asceticism was taken to a great length. Starvation, nudity and self-
mortification were expounded.
 Two elements of the world: Jiva (conscious) and Atma (unconscious).
 Triratnas of Jainism:
o Right faith
o Right knowledge
o Right conduct (observance of five vows)
 Ahimsa (non-violence)
 Satya (truth)
 Asteya (no stealing)
 Parigraha (no acquiring property)
 Brahmacharya (abstinence)
Jainism into two sects:

 Svetambaras: White-clad; Northerners

 Digambaras: Sky-clad (naked); Southerners

Jain Councils

First council

 Held at Pataliputra in the 3rd century BC.

 Presided by Sthulabahu.

Second Council

 Held at Vallabhi in Gujarat in the 5th century BC.

 Presided by Devardhigani.
 12 Angas were compiled here.

Buddhism was found by Gautam Buddha. He attained his enlightenment at

the age of 35. It is said that Buddha saw an old man dying out of suffering.
Hence decided to go to seek mental peace.
Buddha put forward and the eightfold path.
The folds are Right Understanding, Right speech, Right Thoughts, Right Action,
Right Livelihood, Right Efforts, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration.
The development sequence is Mortality (Sheela) then Concentration (Samadhi)
and then wisdom (Panna).
The 3 pillars of Buddhism are: the Budhha, it’s founder, the Dhamma, his
teachings and the Sangha. The 1st pillar is the Buddha which represents the
Gautam Buddha himself. the Dhamma is his teachings which include the
cycle of life. Altogether with rebirth, samadhi and also wisdom attained.