The Indus Civilization, known for its urban planning and architectural sophistication, also boasted a vibrant social, economic, and religious life. Understanding these aspects provides a deeper insight into how the Indus people lived, worked, and worshipped. Let’s take a closer look at their way of life.

The social structure of the Indus Civilization was well-organized, and various classes and customs influenced daily living.

Society was divided into four major sections: priests, laborers, cultivators, and the educated class. This division reflects the diversity of roles and responsibilities within the community.

The diet of the Indus people was diverse, consisting of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Staples included wheat, rice, barley, vegetables, milk, and dairy products. They also consumed meats such as fish, chicken, beef, pork, and mutton, along with fruits like dates and pomegranates. Spices like masegall and besukall were used for flavoring.

The people of the Indus Valley were skilled in the use of metals like silver, gold, copper, tin, and lead. However, there is no evidence that they used iron.

Domesticated animals such as cows, oxen, buffaloes, donkeys, dogs, sheep, goats, and pigs played a vital role in the Indus economy, contributing to both farming and daily sustenance.

Men and women dressed in cotton and wool garments. Men typically wore dhotis, while women donned langas. These simple yet practical garments suited the region’s climate and lifestyle.

The Indus people gave significant attention to personal appearance. Archaeological evidence reveals that they used lip balm, eye gel, head shampoo, face balm, and powder. Copper mirrors, ivory combs, and decorative boxes for storing cosmetics and jewelry were also found.

Both men and women took pride in grooming their hair. Women often styled their hair in a knot draped over the shoulder, as seen in the famous “dancing girl” figurine from Mohenjodaro. Men typically shaved their mustaches while keeping their beards.

Jewelry was cherished by both men and women. Items such as anklets, necklaces, rings, and headbands were made from materials like gold, silver, copper, ivory, shell, and porcelain. These ornaments came in various shapes and designs, showcasing the people’s love for adornment.

The Indus people made various toys for their children, including bamboo puppets, clay figures of animals and birds, and marbles. Chanhudaro was known as a center for toy manufacturing.

Recreation played an important role in their social life. Indoor activities included singing, dancing, and playing board games like chess and pagade. Outdoor entertainments included hunting, fishing, bullfighting, and cockfighting.

Everyday household items included mats, knives, axes, spoons, bowls, needles, mirrors, chairs, and tables, reflecting a well-established domestic life.

The Indus civilization had a thriving economy driven by agriculture, animal husbandry, trade, and industries.

Agriculture was the primary occupation, with crops like wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, peas, and oilseeds grown in abundance. They also cultivated commercial crops like cotton. The Indus people used wooden plows and had irrigation canals to support their farming. Alongside agriculture, animal husbandry was an essential part of the economy.

Major industrial centers like Harappa, Mohenjodaro, and Lothal were known for weaving, pottery, blacksmithing, and metal fabrication. Dye-making, silk work, and cloth production also flourished.

The Indus people were excellent traders, with thriving domestic and foreign trade networks. They traded with regions like Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, Persia, and Syria. Important trade items included seashells, metals, and stones. Bullocks, buffaloes, donkeys, and camels were used for transportation, and they employed a decimal system in their trade.

Around 1,500 seals have been discovered in the Indus region, made from materials like bone, terracotta, and clay. Many of these seals feature animal and human figures, as well as inscriptions that remain undeciphered to this day.

The Indus people were highly skilled in art and architecture. Notable examples include a bronze statue of a dancing girl and a steatite statue of a bearded man, both found in Mohenjodaro, which reflect their artistic sophistication.

Religion was deeply embedded in the Indus people’s daily lives, with a focus on nature and animal worship.

The Mother Goddess was the primary deity of the Indus people, worshipped under various names such as Shakti, Durga, Amma, and Ambe. Numerous female figurines have been discovered, representing the people’s reverence for fertility and motherhood.

A prominent deity, Pashupati, often depicted as a yogi surrounded by animals, was another important figure. Found on seals from Harappa, Mohenjodaro, and Kalibangan, this deity is associated with Shiva in later Hindu traditions.

The Indus people revered natural elements like fire, rivers, earth, and the sky. They also held animals like bulls and birds like pigeons in sacred regard. The Peepal tree (Ashwaththa) was also considered holy.

The Indus people practiced three forms of cremation: sky burial, where birds consumed the body before the remains were buried; cremation of the body followed by burial of the ashes; and direct burial. Excavations at Harappa revealed about 67 tombs.

Though still undeciphered, the Indus script has been found on seals, pots, and bronze vessels. These inscriptions seem to be written from right to left, although some have a boustrophedon pattern (alternating direction between lines).

The social, economic, and religious practices of the Indus civilization offer a glimpse into a highly advanced and organized society. Their contributions to art, architecture, trade, and agriculture were remarkable, and their practices in worship and personal care provide a rich cultural legacy.