Que. The urban character of the Harappan Civilization was a result neither of any outside influence nor a sudden act but a gradual evolution of regional socio-economic factors. Comment.
प्रश्न: हड़प्पीय सभ्यता का नगरीय चरित्र न तो किसी बाहरी प्रभाव का परिणाम था और न ही कोई अचानक होने वाली घटना अपितु यह स्थानीय सामाजिक-आर्थिक कारकों का क्रमिक विकास था। टिप्पणी कीजिए।
|
Structure: (i) Introduction: Provide an overview of the Harappan Civilization’s urban character, highlighting the indigenous nature of its development and the gradual process of evolution. (ii) Main Body: Discuss the gradual evolution of regional socio-economic factors that contributed to the urban character. (iii) Conclusion: Reiterate the point that the urban character of the Harappan Civilization emerged from a long-term, indigenous process, not due to external influences. |
Introduction:
The Harappan Civilization, known for its advanced urban planning and societal organization, did not develop its urban character due to external influences or sudden changes. Instead, it was the result of a gradual evolution shaped by regional socio-economic factors over centuries.
The gradual evolution of regional socio-economic factors that contributed to the urban character:
(i) Agricultural Surplus and Population Growth: The fertile plains of the Indus River facilitated large-scale agriculture, resulting in food surplus. This surplus supported a growing population, which was crucial for the development of urban centers. Historian R.S. Sharma highlights that this agricultural prosperity laid the foundation for urbanization.
(ii) Diversification of Labor: With agricultural surplus, not everyone needed to engage in farming. This allowed for labor specialization in areas such as craftsmanship, trade, and administration, which contributed to the need for organized urban spaces. According to D.P. Agrawal, this shift towards specialized labor was a key driver of Harappan urbanization.
(iii) Technological Advancements in Construction: The Harappans developed advanced brick-making technologies, which allowed them to build durable, standardized structures. Historian John Marshall notes that this indigenous technological innovation was critical to the construction of well-planned cities like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa.
(iv) Extensive Trade Networks: The Harappans engaged in both local and long-distance trade, including with Mesopotamia and Central Asia. Historian Shereen Ratnagar emphasizes that these trade links fostered the growth of urban hubs and markets, facilitating the rise of cities.
(v) Standardized Systems of Weights and Measures: To maintain consistency in trade, the Harappans developed standardized weights and measures. This system, according to B.B. Lal was essential for the smooth functioning of commercial activities and contributed to the structured development of urban areas.
(vi) Urban Planning and Infrastructure: Cities like Mohenjo-Daro were planned with grid-like layouts, public baths, drainage systems, and fortified citadels. R.S. Sharma argues that this urban design was an outcome of gradual internal evolution, reflecting the community’s growing administrative and organizational needs.
(vii) Local Craft Production: The Harappans excelled in pottery, bead-making, and metallurgy, which were produced locally and traded widely. Historian Gregory Possehl highlights how the growth of specialized crafts contributed to urban economic prosperity and expansion.
(viii) Efficient Administration: The use of seals and script for administrative purposes points to a well-organized bureaucracy. D.P. Agrawal notes that this system helped manage large urban populations, further supporting the urban character of the civilization.
(ix) Public and Private Infrastructure: Harappan cities included both public amenities (granaries, baths) and private homes with advanced sanitation. According to V. Gordon Childe, the emphasis on public infrastructure reflects the importance of civic life in Harappan society, a product of gradual evolution.
(x) Absence of External Influence: Finally, despite trade with foreign regions, there is no strong evidence of external cultural influence shaping Harappan cities. As per Shereen Ratnagar, the urban character was a result of indigenous growth, driven by local socio-economic factors rather than external pressures.
Conclusion:
The urban character of the Harappan Civilization was a product of a long-term, internally driven process rooted in agricultural, trade, and technological advancements. Historians like R.S. Sharma, Shereen Ratnagar, and D.P. Agrawal argue that it was regional socio-economic factors, not external influences, that led to the gradual evolution of one of the world’s earliest urban civilizations.
