BARTER AND BOUNTY- INCOME AND ECONOMY DURING THE INDUS VALLEY CIVILISATION

ABSTRACT

The Indus Valley civilization flourished around 4000 years ago. The civilization, through historical means, depicts the early life of the ancient people with distinct characteristics in areas of art and culture, religion, state, trade, urban planning, etc. Apart from this, the economy of the ancient people is the most rechargeable aspect. It also marks the foundation of early markets and trade systems. Their economic activities were highly influenced by location, availability of resources, skills and interests of the people, topography, population, etc. The subsequent blog focuses attention on the sources of the economy and the formation of market and trade networks facilitating communication and transportation during the Indus Valley civilization.

INTRODUCTION

The economy of the Indus Valley civilization was shaped through many sources and activities such as agriculture, domestication of animals, craftsmanship, pottery making, trade, business, fishing, hunting, etc. It is characterized as a well-developed, organized, and systematic phenomenon. During this period the concept of money was not in force; therefore, trade and markets took place through a barter system, and this was how daily requirements were fulfilled. Agriculture was the soul of civilization’s economy. Almost all the other sources of income were sustained so as to replace the output with grains and seeds. People were involved either in agricultural activities, which were practiced all round the year, or taming animals. This was facilitated by the presence of the Indus River and its fertile alluvial soil on the river’s banks. Many historians refer to the Indus Valley civilization as the agro-commercial civilization, as most of the people were peasants and performed primary activities.

SOURCES OF INCOME

1. AGRICULTURE—Agriculture was the primary economic activity and also the main profession of the ancient people. Since the whole civilization was sustained on the banks of the Indus River, the entire area was very fertile and suitable for cultivation. Large granaries were typically used for storing grains and seeds, suggesting the people cultivated a lot more than what was required and therefore stored the excess for future consumption. Wheat and barley dominated the market. Although other crops like cotton, cereals, pulses, melons, dates, peas, etc. were also grown and sold in nearby regional markets. Some part of this was also exported to other comparatively drier areas, extending to present-day Baluchistan and Afghanistan.

2. DOMESTICATION OF ANIMALS—During excavation in city areas of Harappa, Lothal, Kalibangan, many bone remains of domesticated animals were found, revealing that it was yet another popular economic activity amongst the people. Several domesticated species like buffalo, cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs were also found in inscriptions and paintings. Terracotta figures of dogs and bulls are also very common. Cattle were generally used for transportation, and donkeys or camels served as beasts of burden. Moreover, apart from this, wild animals such as boar and deer were a big part of the human diet. The wild animals were either hunted by specialized hunters or other native communities living near the forest. These were exchanged for grains, ornaments, or cattle and tamed animals. The domestication of animals was also common because animal skin was used as clothing during winters, the horns and nails were commonly used as weapons and ornaments, milk was consumed for children and other small tamed animals.

3. FISHING AND AQUATIC RESOURCES—Since a greater part of the Indus Valley civilization was around the banks of a large river, fishing was also a very common practice, also making space in daily diet. A common instance of barter between fish and copper tools was also seen in this region. Moreover, seashells and other aquatic resources were used in ornaments and garments. A large part of the barter market consisted of seashells, as they were quite rare and difficult to collect.

4. CRAFTS AND INDUSTRIES—The ancient people were very fond of ornaments made out of clay, stone, and ivory including bangles, rings and necklaces. These ornaments along with semi-precious stones were sold in the markets in exchange of grains. Craftsmanship during this period was well developed. The pots made of fertile soil were very popular in other regions, typically used for storage of grains, water, fruits, and vegetables. Moreover, another uncommon yet significant use was seen at the time of transportation of grains or other items. These were sealed in the pots and later broken open by the receiver. This helps in safe trade.
The cutting and breaking tools made from an alloy of copper and tungsten ruled the market as they were malleable and strong. It was used as axes, knives, and even chisels, drills, and also saws.
The extraction from urban city centers has led to the discovery of many toys made of clay and wood depicting the shapes of carts, roofed chariots, wagons, etc., and also animals like bulls, horses, dogs, and cats.

5. CONSTRUCTION AND CITY PLANNING—The urban areas of the Indus Valley civilization, depicted a planned construction of cities. Although construction and architecture were not a common economic practice, but was opted by a comparatively smaller group of people. It generally included activities like brick making by using the technique of kiln-fired bricks used for building houses, sewage, or drainage areas. These activities dominate in areas where agriculture was not a very popular option, and domestication of animals was not a favorable practice.

TRADE ROUTES AND NETWORK
Trade was common in the Indus Valley civilization, involving both regional or local trade and distant trade. Trade became popular among the people as the civilization expanded to vast areas, causing inequality in the distribution of various resources. The culture near the river practiced agriculture and fishing, while on the other hand, people living beyond riverine areas were more engaged in crafting activities like ornament making or terracotta and clay work. Also, in more distant areas, people generally domesticated animals, practiced hunting wild animals for skin and meat, or made weapons out of alloy. Furthermore, urban areas acted as a common place for the exchange of such products. Not just at the regional level; it was also popular in other civilizations like Mesopotamia.
The Harappan region has distinct ideas of stamps and seals generally depicting animals, humans, geographical shapes, etc. The primary function of these seals was to authenticate the site of production and verify its quality. The trade routes of the Indus Valley civilization were quite vaster than they seem. A strong trading network between Mesopotamia and Harappa was evident. Moreover, the trade of ornaments, terracotta bangles, pots, beads, carts, lapis lazuli, and other precious stones was common in return for grains or metals. At the earlier stages, land routes dominated over maritime sea trade but became popular in the Arabian Peninsula at the later stages of the civilization.

CONCLUSION
The economy of the Indus Valley civilization can be categorized as a highly standardized system. The trade was carried out not only on regional levels but also far off lands of present-day Afghanistan and also Mesopotamia. The trade links were developed over a period of time through land and sea routes, and seals and stamps helped in the verification and authentication of the originality of various products. The exchange of goods was a means of survival of markets; therefore, people began to specialize in their craftsmanship to ensure its exchange with good-quality grains. The economy of the Indus Valley civilization stands as a testament to the standardization, organization, and systematization of the markets while making sure that a two-way relationship among different performers of economic activities is sustained on equal grounds.

REFERENCES
1. The Indus Civilization" by Mortimer Wheeler (1968)
2. "The Economy of the Indus Valley Civilization" by Jim G. Shaffer (1992) - Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient, Vol. 35, No. 3.
3. "Trade and Commerce in the Indus Valley Civilization" by Dilip K. Chakrabarti (2004) - Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. 14, No. 2.
4. "Ancient India: A History" by Romila Thapar (2002)

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