Unit i Ancient india B.Arch

History History is the study of the past, specifically how it relates to

humans.

It is a term that relates to past events as well as the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about

these events.

The term includes cosmic, geologic, and organic history, but is often generically implied to mean human history.

Scholars who write about history are called historians.

Events occurring prior to written record are considered prehistory.

AR.PURUSHOTHAMAN ARUMUGAM M.Arch, CA, AIIA, Associate Professor SRCA, Polur

History


UNIT I ANCIENT INDIA

Indus Valley Civilization: culture and pattern of

settlement.- Aryan civilization – theories and debates of

origin- origins of early Hinduism - Vedic culture - Vedic

village and rudimentary forms of bamboo and wooden

construction - origins of Buddhism and Jainism.


History Ancient India


Indus Valley Civilization – 2600 -1900 BC

Settlement

The Indus Valley

Civilization was a Bronze Age civilization

Period

(3300–1300 BCE; mature

period 2600–1900 BCE)

Location

the northwestern region

of the Indian

Subcontinent, consisting

mainly of Present

Pakistan and India


Indus Valley Civilization 2600 -1900 BC

The phrase "early civilizations" usually conjures up images of Egypt and Mesopotamia,

and their pyramids, mummies, and golden tombs.

But in the 1920s, a huge discovery in South Asia proved that Egypt and Mesopotamia

were not the only "early civilizations.“


Indus Valley Civilization 2600 -1900 BC In the vast Indus River plains archaeologists discovered the remains of a 4,600 year-old city.

A thriving, urban civilization had existed at the same time as Egyptian and Mesopotamian

states — in an area twice each of their sizes.


Indus Valley Civilization 2600 -1900 BC The people of this Indus Valley civilization did not build massive monuments like their

contemporaries, nor did they bury riches among their dead in golden tombs.

There were no mummies, no emperors, and no violent wars or bloody battles in their

territory.


Indus Valley Civilization 2600 -1900 BC Remarkably, the lack of all these is what makes

the Indus Valley civilization so exciting and unique.

While others civilizations were devoting huge

amounts of time and resources to the rich, the

supernatural, and the dead.

Indus Valley inhabitants were taking a practical

approach to supporting the common, secular,living people.

Sure, they believed in an afterlife and

employed a system of social divisions. But they

also believed resources were more valuable incirculation among the living than on display or

buried underground.


Indus River Valley Civilization 2600 -1900 BC

Amazingly, the Indus Valley civilization appears to have been a peaceful one.

Very few weapons have been found and no evidence of an army has beendiscovered.

Excavated human bones reveal no signs of violence, and building remains show no

indication of battle.

All evidence points to a preference for peace and success in achieving it.

The Two Major Cities Exists Founded are Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa

In Early times they used symbols to practice language System called as Seals - The

Symbols language method

The worlds First writing Systems were found in these Indus valley civilization and

Mesopotamian Civilization.AR.PURUSHOTHAMAN ARUMUGAM M.Arch, CA, AIIA, Associate Professor SRCA, Polur

Indus River Valley Civilization 2600 -1900 BC Also referred to as HARAPPAN CIVILIZATI ON & SARASWATHI SINDHU CIVILIZATION

High agricultural growth with adaptation to flood areas and dry areas.

Strong social hierarchy with a ruling class and no evidence of a central kingship.

No known centralized religious structures.

Very strong center for trade with far reaching regions.

Had a basic, yet undeciphered alphabet.

Largest planned cities

Well planned drainage systems

Cotton clothing & dentistry

Standardized weights

Articrafts, jewellery

Seals in metals with strong sense of ownership



Nomads of Sumerian origin crossed various passes in the west and sighted the vast

area of breathtaking green valley, richly forested with abundant water – rivers Indus,

Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej & saraswathi.

No reason for further travel & settled down by clearing away patches of forests.

Agricultural knowledge, usage of timber, permanent building materials (bricks) made

them to sustain for more than a millennia and spread themselves for more than half a

million square miles around the river valley.



CITY PLANNING CONCEPT

SOPHISTICATED & ADVANCED URBAN CULTURE

STREETS IN PERFECT GRID PATTERNS IN BOTH MOHENJODORO &

HARAPPA

HOUSES PROTECTED FROM NOISE, ODOURS AND THIEVES

WORLD’S FIRST SANITATION SYSTEM

INDIVIDUAL WELLS AND SEPARATE COVERED DRAINS ALONG THE

STREETS FOR WASTE WATER

HOUSES OPENED TO INNER COURTYARDS & SMALLER LANES




Present New York Development

Harappa Urban Development



PLANS OF MANSION , INDIVIDUAL HOUSES AND FIRST FL00R HOUSES




Impressive dockyards,graneries, warehouses, brick platforms & protective walls

Massive citadels protected the city from floods & attackers

City dwellers – traders & artisans

All the houses had access to water & drainage facilities

A society of low wealth concentration



CITY DEVELOPMENT

Cities grew out of earlier villages that existed in the same locality for < 100 yrs

Grew in size & density and surrounded by numerous towns & villages

Cities interlinked by trade & economic activities, religious beliefs, social relations,etc

Villages 1-10hectares in area and supported towns & cities

Vast agricultural lands, rivers & forests by pastoral communities , fisher folk and hunters

surrounded each city

CLASSIFICATION OF TOWNS

Small villages / hamlets – 0 – 10 hectares

Large towns – 10- 50 hectares

Cities – 50 hectares



CITY DEVELOPMENT



MOHENJODARO



MOHENJODARO

MAJOR STREETS IN NORTH

SOUTH DIRECTION

INTERSECTION AT RIGHT

ANGLES

STREETS WITHIN BUILT UP AREAS

WERE NARROW

DISTINCT ZONING FOR

DIFFERENT GROUPS



MOHENJODARO

SETTLEMENT DIVISIONS

RELEGIOUS, INSTITUTIONAL &

CULTURAL AREAS – AROUND

MONASTERY

GREAT BATH IN THE WESTERN PART

NORTH – AGRICULTURE & INDUSTRIES

SOUTH – ADMINISTRATION, TRADE &

COMMERCE




MOHENJODARO

CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES

BUILDINGS – MASONRY CONSTRUCTION BY SUN DRIED

BRICKS

RANGING FROM 2 ROOMS – MANSION WITH MANY

ROOMS

UNDERGROUND SEWERAGE & DRAINAGE FROM HOUSES

HELICAL PUMPS FOR PUMPING WATER IN GREAT BATH

PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS – MONASTRY & BATH - INDICATING

RELEGIOUS CULTURE



MOHENJODARO

SETTLEMENT PATTERN

LAYOUT - GRID IRON PATTERN

STREETS - 30 M WIDE RUNNING IN N-S & E-W DIRECTIONS

STREETS DIVIDED THE CITY INTO 12 BLOCKS - 1200 X 800 FEET

RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS EXCEPT CENTRAL WESTERN ONE

NO ENTRANCES DIRECTLY OPENING UP TO THE MAIN STREETS

CENTRAL COURT YARD - SOURCE FOR LIGHTING AND VENTILATION

COMMON WELL FOR GROUP OF HOUSES & SEPERATE BATH AREA FOR EACH HOUSE

Extensive system of drainage running under walkways - covered with brick slabs,

corbelled brick arches for larger span, with manholes at regular intervals.



MOHENJODARO

GREAT BATH

12x7x3 M IN DIMENSIONS

EARLIEST PUBLIC WATER TANK IN ANCIENT WORLD

2 WIDE STAIR CASES IN NORTHERN & SOUTHERN END

LEDGE EXTENDS FOR THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF POOL

WATERTIGHT FLOOR – THICK LAYER OF BITUMEN

FLOOR SLOPES IN SOUTH WEST CORNER WITH A SMALL OUTLET CONNECTING TO A BRICK

DRAIN

ROOMS LOCATED IN THE EAST



MOHENJODARO

GRANERY

50x40 M IN DIMENSION

MASSIVE MUD BRICK FOUNDATION

2 ROWS OF SIX ROOMS ALONG A CENTRAL PASSAGEWAY

[7M WIDE & PAVED WITH BAKED BRICKS]

EACH ROOM 15.2 x 6.1 M HAS 3 SLEEPER WALLS WITH

AIRSPACE BETWEEN

SMALL TRIANGULAR OPENINGS – AIR DUCTS FOR FRESH AIR

BENEATH HOLLOW FLOORS

MIGHT HAVE HAD A WOODEN SUPERSTRUCTURE WITH STAIRS

LEADING TO CENTRAL PASSAGE AREA



HARAPPA 23000 POPULATION

150 HECTARES

EARLIEST CITY MAY HAVE BEEN

FORMED DURING THE KOT DIJI PHASE,

I.E., 2800-2500 BC



HARAPPAThe Early

EARLIEST CITY COVERED AN AREA OF 25 HA.

IT BECAME A CENTRE FOR TRADE NETWORKS

EXTENDING FROM BALUCHISTAN AND

AFGHANISTAN TO THE WEST TO THE SEACOAST

IN THE SOUTH.

TOWNS BUILT OVER RAISED MUD BRICK

PLATFORMS



HARAPPA

CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES

CITADEL MOUND AND LOWER TOWN SURROUNDED BY A MASSIVE BRICK WALL.

CITADEL HAD SQUARE TOWERS AND BASTIONS.

LARGE OPEN AREAS INSIDE THE GATEWAY MAY HAVE BEEN USED AS A MARKET OR

CHECKPOINT FOR TAXING GOODS COMING INTO THE CITY

OUTSIDE THE CITY WALLS A CLUSTER OF HOUSES MAY REPRESENT TEMPORARY REST STOPS FOR

TRAVELLERS AND CARAVANS

NO DIVISION OF THE SOCIETY IS REFLECTED IN THE LAYOUT OF THE CITY. SINCE LARGE PUBLIC

BUILDINGS, MARKET AREAS, LARGE AND SMALL HOUSES AS WELL AS CRAFT WORKSHOPS

HAVE BEEN FOUND IN THE SAME NEIGHBOURHOOD.

BARRACK-LIKE GROUP OF SINGLE-ROOMED TENEMENTS WERE FOR THE POORER CLASSES



HARAPPA

SETTLEMENT PATTERN OF TOWNSHIPS

Basic house plans

single room tenements

houses with courtyards

Houses - rooms on 3 sides opening into a central courtyard

Nearly all large houses had private wells.

Hearths common in rooms.

Bathrooms in every house with chutes leading to drainage channels.

First floor bathrooms also built.



HARAPPA

SETTLEMENT PATTERN OF TOWNSHIPS

Brick stairways provided access to the upper floors.

Houses built with a perimeter wall and adjacent houses were separated by a narrow

space of land.

Granary with areas for threshing grains.

Burnt bricks mainly used for drains, wells and bathrooms.

Sun dried bricks used mainly for fillings.

Timber used for flat roofs and as frames or lacing for brickwork



HARAPPA

SETTLEMENT ARCHITECTURE

BUILDING MATERIALS - MUD BRICKS AND BAKED BRICKS, WOOD AND REEDS.

THE AVERAGE SIZE OF THE BRICKS WAS 7 X 12 X 34 CM (FOR HOUSES) AND 10 X 20 X

40 CM FOR THE CITY WALLS. THE LARGER BRICKS HAVE A STANDARD RATIO OF 1:2:4.

MUD BRICK, BAKED BRICK & WOOD OR STONE WERE USED FOR THE FOUNDATION

AND WALLS OF THE HOUSES.



HARAPPA


THE DOORS ,WINDOWS WERE MADE FROM WOOD AND MAT.

HOUSE FLOORS ARE HARD-PACKED EARTH

BATHING AREAS AND DRAINS ARE MADE USING BAKED BRICK AND STONE.

ROOFS WERE WOODEN BEAMS COVERED WITH REEDS AND PACKED CLAY.

LARGEST BUILDINGS MADE ENTIRELY OF WOOD.

WINDOWS ARE WITH SHUTTERS & LATTICE WORK



HARAPPA


LARGE BUILDINGS ARE USUALLY ADMINISTRATIVE OR RITUAL STRUCTURES.

ACCESS ROUTES OR PROVIDED THOROUGHFARE FROM ONE AREA TO ANOTHER MAJOR ROADS

ARE FACES NORTH SOUTH DIRECTION.

MARKETS AND PUBLIC MEETINGS HELD IN LARGE OPEN COURTYARDS.

HOUSES AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS GROUPED WITH SHARED WALLS AND FORMED LARGER BLOCKS &

ACCESSED BY WIDE STREETS.

MOST HOUSES HAD PRIVATE BATHS &TOILETS AS WELL AS PRIVATE WELLS.

THE TRANSITION TO EARLY CITY PROBABLY 2800 BC PHASE.



HARAPPA

THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM

WELLS AND RESERVOIRS - DRINKING AND BATHING.

WELLS WERE LINED WITH SPECIALLY-MADE WEDGE-SHAPED BRICKS TO FORM A

STRUCTURALLY SOUND CYLINDER.

ROPES WERE USED TO LIFT THE WATER OUT, PROBABLY WITH LEATHER OR WOODEN

BUCKETS.

SOME NEIGHBOURHOODS HAD COMMUNAL WELLS.

BATHING PLATFORMS WITH WATER TIGHT FLOOR & DRAINS [OPEN OUT TO LARGER

DRAINS IN STREETS ] PROVIDED IN ROOMS ADJACENT TO THE WELLS.



HARAPPA

THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM

DRAINS AND WATER CHUTES IN THE UPPER STOREYS WERE OFTEN BUILT INSIDE THE WALL

WITH AN EXIT OPENING JUST ABOVE THE STREET DRAINS.

TAPERED TERRACOTTA DRAINPIPES WERE USED TO DIRECT WATER OUT TO THE STREET.

MANY HOUSES HAD DISTINCT TOILETS, SEPARATE FROM THE BATH AREAS.

COMMODES WERE LARGE JARS OR SUMP POTS SUNK INTO THE FLOORS AND MANY OF

THEM CONTAINED A SMALL JAR.

DRAINS COVERED WITH BAKED BRICKS OR DRESSED STONE BLOCKS. SEPARATE

GARBAGE BINS WERE PROVIDED ALONG THE MAJOR STREETS.



MOHENJADARO & HARAPPA

1600 BC - INVASION FROM THE WEST WHICH DECLINES THE INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION AND ITS SETTLEMETS



VEDIC CIVILISATION

The Early INVASION AND SETTLEMENT ESTABLISHMENT

Aryans from steppes of central Europe travelled east in search of more

favorable climates

Mesopotamia – Iran plateau (Bactria, Hindu Kush mountains) – primitive village

settlements of Baluchistan – Indus valley civilization – further east to gangetic

plains

Being nomadic, not interested to settle in Indus valley but to destroy the cities

The verses of destroying cities in the epic mythology if later periods – reference

to destruction of cities



VEDIC CIVILISATIONThe Early INVASION AND SETTLEMENT ESTABLISHMENT

Indus valley people shifted to south, few absorbed as lowest social rung of

conquering Aryans.

Damaging all the Indus valley cities, they descended east to more fertile lands

between rivers Ganga and Yamuna in 1500 BC

Aryans attacked the nose less and dark aboriginals of the gangetic plain and

conquered the land

Reasons – Usage of horse and chariots , knowledge on wood construction

Rich , fertile gangetic plain made the nomadic Aryans to settle down without

any further travel.



VEDIC CIVILISATION

VEDIC VILLAGE

Brick was a new building material for them and was already used by Indus valley

which they conquered.

Knowledge on using timber, bamboo and thatch as building materials

Timber & bamboo – easily available, easy to maintain and rebuild in case of rain

or floods

Most huts circular in plan – simplest to build with thatch

Walls – bamboo twigs tied together



VEDIC CIVILISATION

VEDIC VILLAGE

Roof – bamboo – domical / conical shape & made watertight by overlapping

thatch / grass

Rectangular huts with bamboo roofs – bamboo bent into semicircular shape and

tied with a cord like a bow creating a barrel like roof and covered with

thatch/grass

3-4 huts grouped around a courtyard

Combination of these clusters are termed as VEDIC VILLAGE



VEDIC CIVILISATION

VEDIC VILLAGE

Concept of fencing – to protect from the wild animals from the forest

Timber fences – vertical, rectangular timber posts with 3 horizontal bamboo bars

Bamboos strung between the holes carved in the rectangular posts

Entry was projected out with a raised gateway with controlled entry esp. cattle's

Structures remained temporary, but the forms contained the embryo of later

Hindu and Buddhist architecture.



VEDIC CIVILISATIONVEDIC LITERATURE AND RELIGION

No idol worship & no temples

Vedic pantheon – personifications of symbols of nature : Divinity – Surya, Agni, Indra,

Religious belief – elaborate ritual of sacrifice to propitiate GOD and GODESSES

Architectural form – a raised platform, an open altar determined by elaborate

astronomical and mathematical calculations

Rituals could be conducted by learned poet called priest

Hymns in Sanskrit seeking the favors & goodwill from DIVINE WILL.

First composition of 1028 hymns is RIG VEDA

Great Epics are RAMYANA & MAHABHARATHA & Lord Krishna delivering the message

in the form of BHAGAVADA GITA



VEDIC CIVILISATIONVEDIC ECONOMY & ADMINISTRATION

Clearing of forest using fire

Intense agricultural activity

Concept of land ownership

Fights over cattle (the symbol of wealth) shifted to fight over agricultural land

Confederation of large units from individual tribes to wage war leads wars of later

Existence of sabhas & samitis for civil administration

By 800 BC – kingship was accorded as sense of divinity

Emergence of warriors & the priestly class Brahmins



VEDIC CIVILISATIONORIGINS OF HINDUISM

The Hindu religion seems to have evolved from a combination of the faiths of the

indigenous Dravidians and the Aryan invaders; Hindu worship is essentially an

individual act, and except on certain specified occasions communal worship is

foreign to it.

This has produced the basic difference between the Hindu temple and the

Moslem Mosque.

An Orthodox Hindu's life has been governed by religious practice is its minutest

details.

Any major occasion demands the services of one of the Brahman priesthood

who alone have the authority to officiate.


VEDIC CIVILISATION

HINDU TOWNS

450 BC : emergence of 4 rival states

Kashi

Koshala

Magadha

Virjis

Major towns : Shravasti, Champa, Rajgriha, Ayodhya, Kaushambi, Kashi

Cities of rectangular plan & grid iron pattern



VEDIC CIVILISATION

RUDIMENTARY FORMS OF BAMBOO AND WOODEN CONSTRUCTION

The Early Constructions were using Bamboo and Wood only in the Indian

civilization.



VEDIC CIVILISATIONOrigins of Buddhism and Jainism

The Arians unified the people of the Indus valley under this system which later

became known as Hinduism.

They also created a caste system to keep different segments of society separate and

to prevent the mingling of people, and maintaining the priestly and warrior class.

Brahmins (Aryan priests);

Kshatriyas (warrior-nobility);

Vaishyas (the bourgeois, or middle class [businessmen/farmers], viewed as low class by

those above them);

Sudras (servants, not allowed to recite or listen to the Vedas [Hindu scriptures] and the

illegitimate, criminals, and those in unclean jobs [e.g., leather workers, barbers, etc.)



INDIAN CIVILISATION

Origins of Buddhism and Jainism

Over time this caste system became burdensome to the people of India. Its

during this time Siddhartha was born.

The founder of Buddhism

Then later it was Mahavira and he founded Jainism

Dis in Detail on Further Classes


Questions…..?

Unit i Ancient india B.Arch

Engineering

Transcript of Unit i Ancient india B.Arch