Ancient Authority| Chapter 1 Class 12 History Notes

Ancient Authority is a subpart of the Class 12 history that falls under the chapter “Bricks, Beads, and Bones” It gives us an idea of the ancient Harappa society which probably did not have any particular ruler or was governed by multiple rulers. Based on the different facts, planned city structure, and major archaeological evidence, we can say that everyone had equal status in the ancient Harappan society or Indus Valley Civilization.

In this article, we are going to discuss the Class 12 History: Ancient Authority of the Harappan Civilization or the Indus Valley Civilization in detail.

Ancient Authority| Chapter 1 Class 12 History Notes

Ancient Authority Of Harappan Civilization

The organization of various activities in Harappan society, such as the production of uniform artifacts like pottery, seals, weights, and bricks, as well as the strategic establishment of settlements in specific locations and mobilization of labor for construction tasks, raises questions about the administrative structure and decision-making processes of the society.

Palaces and Kings

Archaeological evidence from sites like Mohenjodaro suggests that determining a center of power or identifying individuals in positions of authority in Harappan society is challenging. While structures like the large building dubbed as a palace and the stone statue known as the “priest-king” have been discovered, they do not provide definitive answers about political power. The term “priest-king” was applied based on parallels with Mesopotamian history, but the exact role of individuals depicted in such artifacts remains unclear.

Scholars hold various perspectives regarding governance in Harappan society. Some believe in the absence of rulers, suggesting that everyone enjoyed equal status. Others propose the presence of multiple rulers across different regions, while some argue for a single state due to the uniformity of artefacts and planned settlements. The latter theory appears more plausible currently, considering the complexity of decision-making processes and the standardized features observed across Harappan sites.

There are three major views that exist about the Ancient Authority Of the Harappan Civilization or the Indus Valley Civilization as mentioned below.

No Rulers Theory

Some archaeologists believe that there was no ruling system or any central ruling system in the Harappan or Indus Valley Society. Everybody holds an equal status in the society.

Several Rulers Theory

Some archaeologists and historians believe that multiple rulers governed the Harappan or Indus Valley Society. They also say that Harappa and Mohenjodaro were two separate societies. Each of them was governed by the individual rulers.

Single State Theory

It is the most believed and accepted theory about the Indus Valley Society. It is believed that the Indus Valley Civilization was a whole state that was made of Harappa and Mohenjodaro. Due to the recovered similar components from the both cities like the different artifacts and the city ruins, this theory became more reliable than others.

Archaeological Evidences That Supports The Third Theory

There are so many archeological evidances found that says that the Indus Valley Civilization was a whole state that was made of Harappa and Mohenjodaro. Here are those archeological evidances as mentioned below.

Centralized Authority

Archeologists found the standard weight and measurement system from the different parts of the Indus Valley Civilization. It clarifies that there was a proper and well-organized cental authority that enforced a proper way to maintain the uniform trade and commerce system in the whole civilization.

Well-structured Urban Planning

The Indus Valley Civilization was well-planned and beautifully organized. Their urban planning was sophisticated with well-structured streets, drainage, and buildings. It implies that there was a central authority who was responsible for this well-structured urban planning and its proper maintenance.

Citadel Structure And Lower Towns

Many Indus Valley was divided into two major areas including the citadel and the lower town. The citadel was a place that was located on a high land which was a major public building. It was a hierarchical structure and probably used for administration works. The lower towns were for the common people which was protected by the fortified wall for its protection from the invasion.

Indus Vally Civilization Seals and Iconography

Indus Valley seals and icons were the administrative tools that were majorly used for the different administrative works, represented ownership, and majorly as a symbol in trade. These seals have so much economic significance that also used to maintain the records.

Class 12 History Ancient Authority- FAQs

What is ancient authority in Harappan Civilization?

While the exact nature of the ancient authority in Harappan culture remains a subject of speculation, the well-planned cities, standardized measures, granaries, citadel structures, and seals indicate the presence of a centralized governing body or ruling class.

What are the different arguments regarding ancient authority in Harappa?

Some archaeologists believe that there was no ruling system or any central ruling system in the Harappan or Indus Valley Society. Everybody holds an equal status in the society. Some archaeologists and historians believe that multiple rulers governed the Harappan or Indus Valley Society. They also say that Harappa and Mohenjodaro were two separate societies. Each of them was governed by the individual rulers. It is believed that the Indus Valley Civilization was a whole state that was made of Harappa and Mohenjodaro. Due to the recovered similar components from the both cities.

Who is the father of Harappan civilization?

The civilisation was first discovered by an archaeologist named Sir John Marshall in the year 1924. He was the director-general of the Archaeological Survey of India at the time. Marshall led a team of archaeologists who excavated the site of the ancient city of Harappa.

What were the three main important features of Harappan Civilization class 12?

Harappan Town’s main features include a citadel built on mud-brick platforms, proper urban planning, an underground drainage system, and the use of burnt bricks as standard materials. It is a part of one of the world’s oldest civilizations.

What was the power and authority in the Indus Valley civilization?

The Indus Valley people called their kings, rajas. The rulers governed through trade and religion, instead of military strength. The king did not have the highest class or power as the kings did in other civilizations, the priests did. When the Aryans invaded this civilization, elders became the head of the society.