Why is deciphering the Indus script important?
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4)
| Topic: GS1 – Indian History – Ancient History |
| Context |
| ● Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a $1-million prize for decoding the Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) script.
● This initiative coincided with the centenary of the IVC’s discovery, first reported in September 1924 by John Marshall, then Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). |
Overview of the Indus Valley Civilisation
- The IVC, also called the Harappan Civilisation, existed during the Bronze Age (3000-1500 BCE).
- Spanning over 1.5 million square kilometers, it covered parts of modern-day India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
- It was geographically larger than the Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilisations combined.
- Renowned archaeologist Ahmad Hasan Dani noted that the IVC lay across ancient migration routes linking Central and Western Asia to India.
| Indus Valley Script |
| ●The Indus Valley script is an undeciphered writing system from the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), dating back to 3000–1500 BCE.
●It consists of symbols found on seals, pottery, and other artifacts across sites in modern-day India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. ●The script is often called a “mystery script” because it remains undeciphered despite extensive research. ●It likely encoded the language of the region, with some scholars suggesting a possible Dravidian connection. ● The script features no prefixes or infixes, consistent with the structure of Dravidian languages. ● Studies indicate the script might have evolved into later forms, as seen in some south Indian graffiti marks. ● Its decipherment is crucial for understanding the culture and communication of the Harappan people.
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The Dravidian Hypothesis
- Scholars like Iravatham Mahadevan and Asko Parpola have linked the Indus script to proto-Dravidian language.
- Mahadevan highlighted linguistic evidence supporting this theory, such as the presence of Dravidian loanwords in the Rigveda and the survival of the Dravidian language Brahui in the Indus region.
- However, Mahadevan cautioned that more research is required to confirm the Dravidian theory.
| Findings from Tamil Nadu’s Archaeological Research |
| ●Tamil Nadu’s State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) conducted a study to compare ancient graffiti marks found in Tamil Nadu with the Indus script.
●Almost 90% of the graffiti marks discovered in Tamil Nadu showed similarities to the Indus script. ●Researchers explained that “graffiti” refers to marks found on pottery, while “script” refers to marks on seals and metal objects, though both likely have the same origins. Documentation and Digitisation ProjectThe TNSDA started a project in 2022-23 to study ancient pottery graffiti and inscriptions. ●A total of 15,184 graffiti-bearing pottery pieces were collected from 140 sites in Tamil Nadu. ●Researchers identified 2,107 unique symbols, including 42 basic signs, 544 variations, and 1,521 combinations. ●About 60% of these symbols matched or resembled those found in the Indus script, suggesting a possible cultural link. |
Exploring Cultural Connections
- The monograph suggests possible cultural exchanges between the IVC and South India during the Copper and Iron Ages.
- Evidence includes the discovery of carnelian beads, agate beads, and high-tin bronze objects in South Indian Iron Age graves, which indicate northern connections.
- Further research, including excavations and linguistic analysis, is needed to substantiate these cultural links.
| PYQ: To what extent has the urban planning and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization provided inputs to the present-day urbanization? Discuss.(150 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2014 |
| Practice Question: How do recent archaeological findings in Tamil Nadu suggest a cultural connection between South India and the Indus Valley Civilization? Examine the evidence and its implications. (150 Words /10 marks) |
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