Social life of Indus Valley Civilization

                Social Life of Indus Valley People

From the various articles found in the remains of Mohenjodaro and Harappa. They were perhaps divided into four classes,viz.learned persons ,warriors, businessmen, and working class or labourers.

Food-The people of Indus Valley civilization were both vegetarian and non-vegetarian.Their life was chiefly agrarian and they , therefore,mostly depended on the yield of the crops that they could grow.Vegetarians used to eat wheat,barley,rice,take milk and milk products.Non-vegetarians people eat fish,beef,mutton and tortoise.Dates were one of their favourite people.

Dress-We have no definite source which can give us much information on their dressing styles.We can only guess about their dress from the figures which we have found during excavation.Both cotton and woolen clothes were used by the Indus valley people.The discovery of needles and threads confirms that clothes were also sewn.

Weaving was an important occupation of the people.

Fashion (Hairdressing,Toilet and Cosmetics)-The Indus valley people were also very fashionable.Both men and women had special inclination for keeping themselves smart.Both of them were long hair and dressed it according to their choice.Some people had long beards and moustaches and others were clean-shaven.The discovery of ivory combs,bronze mirrors razors,powders,perfumed oils and lipsticks confirms their love for fashion.

Ornaments-The ornaments were made of different metals such as gold,silver,copper,bronze,shell and ivory.The poor peoples used clay.Bangles,necklaces,ear-rings etc.were very popular.They were made of different size and shapes with precious stones.The beads of pottery used by poor peoples.

Sports and Games-People had great love for sports and games.They played various games like-chess and enjoyed hunting,fishing,bird fighting etc.Dicing was pastime in Vedic age.People also loved music and dancing.Small children used to play with toys made with clay.

Medicines-Very little known about the medicines were used people.But shilajeet,coral and leaves of neem have been discovered during excavation and all these possess medicinal qualities,so it is estimated that people cared for their health.

Condition of Women-The condition of women was very respectable.They used to get great respect in the society.The figure of mother goddess affirm that women were not only source of entertainment and were house -keepers but were worshipped in the society in the form of mother goddess.

Disposal of the Dead-The dead body was buried under the ground and also was burnt and its remains were collected and buried under earth in an urn.The dead body was left in the open plain for wild animals and birds to eat and when the entire flesh was eaten by them,the skeleton was buried under the earth.