What are some major differences between the Harappan civilization and Mesopotamia?

Approach

• Briefly mention about the civilizations that existed during ancient times.
• Mention the differences between the Indus Valley Civilization and rest of the civilizations.
• Conclude by giving importance of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Introduction

The Indus Valley civilization flourished between 2600 and 1900 BCE, around the same time as civilizations in Egypt, China, and Mesopotamia. Presence of large rivers like the Indus, Nile, Huang He, Yangtze, Tigris, and the Euphrates created idle conditions for survival, agriculture, and domestication. These civilizations traded with each other and had cultural exchanges.

Body

Though there are a number of similarities, but Indus Valley Civilisation was distinct from the other civilizations in the following ways:

Geographical Extent: The Harappa civilization was 20 times greater than Egypt and 12 times larger than combining area of Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Burnt bricks usage: Burnt bricks were used remarkably in construction of buildings in Harappa, while Egypt used dried bricks for the same purpose. Burnt bricks were also used by Mesopotamia but Harappan cities used them largely.

Political organization: There is no clear idea about the political organisation of the Indus Valley people. Unlike the Mesopotamians and the Egyptians, there is no evidence of any inscription describing their system of administration. The steatite statue of the priest king indicates that the Indus valley people were more concerned with commerce and they were ruled by a class of merchants.

Temples: In contrast to Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations, the Indus Valley Civilization seems to have lacked any temples or large palaces that would give clear evidence of religious rites or specific deities.

Societal norms: In Egypt, daughter inherits the throne or property but there is no evidence that suggests that Harappa's like Egyptians were matriarchal or not.

Domestication of animals: Harappans in Gujarat domesticated elephant which wasn’t in Mesopotamian cities.

Conclusion

Due to distinct geographies and limited interconnectedness, these civilizations differ in socio-cultural practices and even the level of advancement as well. Indus Valley Civilization was not only the earliest urban centre but an advanced society as well.

The Indus script remains indecipherable without any comparable symbols, and is thought to have evolved independently of the writing in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt. Once deciphered, it can reveal the hidden secrets about the distinctness of Indus Valley Civilization.

Test – 8: Mains Self Study – 2016 (Mission – 2016)

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09 January 2015

5) Compare and contrast features of cities of Mesopotamia with that of Indus Valley Civilization cities. (200 Words)

NCERT Class XI, Themes in World History, Theme  2

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Published: May 26, 2016

Both Indus Valley and Mesopotamia are oldest civilizations of the world. Both traded with each other. The key comparisons of Indus Valley and Mesopotamian civilization are as follows:

• While theory of Kingship or a ruler class has not been proved for Indus Valley, the Mesopotamians were ruled by a priest King, who was considered to be divine. That King solved disputes, led administration and had an army too.
• While no special places of worship have been found in Indus Valley, it is assumed that these people worshipped nature. However, presence of different religious objects such as seals, statues etc. indicate that Indus Valley might be having a polytheistic religion. In Mesopotamia also, polytheism was present but the Mesopotamians also built temple for worship.
• The Harappan society seems to be a matriarchal society, evident from so many statues of female deities. On the other hand, Mesopotamia across its history became more and more a patriarchal society, one in which the men were far more powerful than the women.

Demand of the question
Introduction. Contextual Introduction.
Body. Similarities and differences in Indus Valley civilisation and Mesopotamia.
Conclusion. Contextual Conclusion.

Mesopotamia and Indus Valley Civilization are oldest civilisations of world. Mesopotamia was located in triangular area between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. The Indus civilization was along the Indus River. These civilisations prospered and lived with glory, but as time changes its course and these civilisations disappeared they left their signs. The two civilisations instead of lot of similarity had some contrasting features.

Comparison between Indus civilisation and Mesopotamian civilisation:

Thus two old civilisations although had many common features they had some uniques features. While Indus Valley civilisation is known for their towns and citadels, Mesopotamia is famous for its religious temples and art. Both civilisation were great compared to their time-period.

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