Harappan Religion and Society

Harappan Religion and Society

Key notes

Harappan religion is reconstructed mainly from seals, figurines, burials, structures and symbolic objects. Interpretations remain tentative because the script is undeciphered.

Religious features

• Mother-goddess figurines have been found, but their exact religious meaning is debated.
• A horned male figure seated in a yogic posture is often interpreted as a proto-Shiva or Pashupati figure.
• Sacred trees, especially the pipal, may have held religious significance.
• Animal symbolism was important.
• Fire altars have been found at Kalibangan and some other sites.
• The Great Bath may have had ritual significance.
• Burials indicate beliefs concerning death and the afterlife.
• No clear evidence of large temples has been found.

Society

• Society was urban and occupationally differentiated.

• Evidence suggests:

  • Farmers.
  • Artisans.
  • Traders.
  • Administrators.
  • Labourers.
  • Religious specialists.
• Houses varied in size, suggesting social differentiation.
• Women participated in economic and social life, but their exact status is difficult to establish.
• There is no conclusive evidence of a rigid caste system in the Harappan period.

• Urban society required coordination of:

  • Construction.
  • Drainage.
  • Trade.
  • Craft production.
  • Food supply.

Burial practices

• Extended burials were common.
• Grave goods were generally limited.
• Some cemeteries show regional variations.
• The evidence does not establish a single uniform religious system.

MCQs

1. The Harappan script is undeciphered; therefore, religious interpretations are based mainly on:

   • A. Archaeological evidence
   • B. Modern religious texts only
   • C. Greek accounts only
   • D. Medieval inscriptions
     Answer: A

2. Fire altars have been found prominently at:

   • A. Kalibangan
   • B. Lothal only
   • C. Harappa only
   • D. Dholavira only
     Answer: A

3. The horned seated figure is often interpreted as:

   • A. Proto-Shiva or Pashupati
   • B. Buddha
   • C. Mahavira
   • D. Indra
     Answer: A

4. The Great Bath may have been associated with:

   • A. Ritual bathing
   • B. Grain storage only
   • C. Horse training
   • D. Military drills
     Answer: A

5. Which statement is correct?

   • A. No large temple has been conclusively identified in Harappan cities
   • B. Every Harappan city had a large temple
   • C. Harappan religion is fully known from deciphered texts
   • D. Harappans had no burial practices
     Answer: A