Society, Economy and Political Administration of Indus Valley.

SOCIETY

The people who live in the Harappan zone comprises of villagers and city folks. Harappa city included occupational group such as farmers, herders, hunters, gatherers, craft-person, fisher-folks, merchants, traders, sailors, ruler's, administrative officials, ritual specialists, architectures, carpenters, brick Mason's, well digger's, boat maker's, sculptors, shopkeepers, sweepers, garbage collectors, etc. Some farmers may have lived in the city and tiled their land nearby.

The level of social defensation may not have been as it Mesopotamia and Egypt, but difference in house size and hoards of jewellery indicate a concentration of wealth and defences, socially and economically. The different social group have comprised of the rulers, land owners and merchants. Both Harappa and Mohenjodaro had a Citadel and these was possibly occupied by members of the ruling class. Below the Citadel in each city lay a lower town with brick houses that were inherited by the common people. Class and rank difference paste on occupation may have existed. However, claims that the caste system existed are highly stamulated.

ECONOMY

Agriculture was the main occupation of the Indus people. Harappa grew wheat and barley on a large scale. The other crops grown by them were pulses, cereals, cotton, dates, melons, peas, sesame and mustard. Evidence of hoe and plough cultivation has been found in Kalibangan and Danawadi. Domestication of animal was important occupation of Harappa. Harappa domesticated Sheep, Goats, Buffaloes and pigs . They also knew about Tiger, Camel, Elephant, Tourtoise, Teer, various Birds, etc. 

The Indus valley economy was heavily based on trade. Land and seas the was in Vogue. Trade boot included Cotton, Terracotta figurines, Ceramic items, Pots, Beads, Gold, Silver and Coloured gem stones. Barter was assisted used for trade. The Indus people had one of the largest training areas, ranging from Mesopotamia to China.

There is a great variety of mass-produced craft items at Harappa sites. Craft-person produce items, Terracotta figurines, beads, seals and copper objects. Pottery, Cotton and woolen industries seems to have been in Vogue in villages and some cities.

POLITY

 The Harappan Civilization lasted for 7 years and it's artefacts traditions and symbols suggested strong elements of political stability. There must have been groups of ruler's in various cities responsible for the maintainance of cities facilities. 

Stuart Piggton suggested that Harappa state was highly centralised root by aristocratic priest being. He was supported by Montimeter Wheeler. Walter A Fairservis earlier stated that Harappan was not even a state but later modified his view that there may have been elements of centralised elements and class structure. S.S. Malik belived that Harappa was in a chiefdom state. Jim Shaffer also questioned the existence of a centralised state.

The fact that some sort of state structure did exist in the Harappan Civilization cannot be denied. The absence of marked social and economic difference or tombs or place does not mean that a state does not exist, rather it was a different sort of state. The communication system, standardization of artifacts, mobilization of labour for public works and establishment of trading outpost indicate some degree of class stratification.

Harappa was an early state closing linked to mythical character, a military component taking the dominance characteristics of more nature state and weekly develop economic stratification.