Economic Life
Agriculture was the basis of the economic life of the Indus society. Their staple food comprised of Wheat and barley. They also cultivated sesame seed, dates and peas. Animals were domesticated for milk, meat and transport. Besides agriculture and animal husbandry, there is evidence for crafts and other small scale industries like bead making. Ornaments like bracelets, pendants and rings were also made. The bronze statue of a dancing girl is a testimonial to the Indus people’s craftsmanship.
Trade
There was an extensive inland and foreign trade. Barter must have been the method of exchange since no coins have been found. The foreign trade through overland and sea routes seems to have reached upto the Persian Gulf, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor and Central Asia, proven by the products of foreign origin among the Indus ruins.
Political Organization
It is still a mystery as to what type of a political setup prevailed in this civilization. There are no inscriptions left behind telling us what kind of a government, religion and social life existed in the Harappan civilization. However, from the well organized cities, it is clear that there had been a very systematic government.
Script
The Harappan script has not been deciphered yet. An interesting fact is that the writing was from right to left and from left to right in alternate lines. It has been referred to as proto Dravidian.
Religion
As mentioned before, the religion of the Indus people is not clear. Clay figures of the mother Goddess have been found. Also a seated figure of a male God showing resemblance to Pashupathi Mahadeva (Lord Shiva) has been unearthed.
Decline
The cause for the decline of the Harappan Civilization(around 1800BC) is still a subject of dispute. The various reasons proposed are floods, earthquake, change in the course of the Indus river or Aryan invasion.
The Harappan Civilization is one of the most spectacular and glorious civilizations. At the same time it is the most mysterious one. So many questions about this civilization remain unanswered including the question as to how such a well planned and developed urban civilization came up from no where. No progressive growth to the most glorious stage was seen. The civilization’s beginning itself was it’s glory’s peak. What we see is that as time passed, perfection was decaying. Why and how did this happen?
Another fact is that it’s script is not deciphered yet. The social life, the religious traditions- are still not clear. Yet another mysterious fact is that this civilization has left no evidence describing about how it was governed, who ruled it and it’s political organization. Such a well planned and advanced civilization would have had a very strong and able government.
Isn’t this interesting? I think there is a lot of work for the future historians to do with this wonderful civilization…