Indus valley Civilization important sites - RRB Special
S. Name of Excavated By Excavation Major Findings
No. Site Year
Granaries, copper bullock cart, pottery (Indus script), cubical limestone
weights, faience slag, sandstone statues, Harappan seals (bull + script),
1 Harappa Daya Ram Sahni 1921
bronze tools, terracotta figurines, coffin burials, sandstone statues,
sandstone weights, male dancer statue (Nataraja)
Great Bath (rectangular tank), granary, bronze dancing girl, Pashupati seal,
Mohenjo-
2 R. D. Banerjee 1922 steatite bearded man statue, evidence of woven cotton, advanced
Daro
drainage system, brick houses, seals, weights, terracotta figurines
Only city without a citadel, bead making, shell cutting, metal working, seal
3 Chanhudaro N. G. Majumdar 1931
making, weight making, curved bricks, specialized craft production
Ploughed field (earliest evidence), fire altars, wooden furrows, bangles,
4 Kalibangan Amlanand Ghose 1953
bones, brick platforms, evidence of earthquake, pottery
Dockyard (maritime trade), rice husk, fire altars, beads, seals, terracotta
5 Lothal S. R. Rao 1953
figures, evidence of warehouse, chessboard layout, double burial
J. P. Joshi, R. S. 1967-68, Water reservoirs, unique water harnessing system, dams, embankments,
6 Dholavira
Bisht 1985 stadium, rock-cut architecture, signboard with Indus script
Beads, terracotta cakes, fire altars, barley grains, evidence of both pre-
7 Banawali R. S. Bisht 1974
Harappan and Harappan phases
Evidence of horse bones, fortification, mud-brick structures, beads,
8 Surkotada J. P. Joshi 1964
pottery
9 Sutkagendor Stein 1929 Fortified citadel, trade post, coastal settlement, pottery
10 Amri N. G. Majumdar 1935 Early Harappan pottery, defensive walls, terracotta figurines, copper tools
Vedic Civilization: Key Points from RRB Previous Years
1. Period and Geography
The Vedic period in India lasted from 1500 BC to 500 BC.
The earliest Aryan settlements were in the region of Sapt-Sindhu (Punjab, Kashmir, Sindh, Kabul, Gandhara) and later expanded to the
Gangetic plains[1][2].
2. Main Sources
The chief sources of information are the four Vedas (Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda), along with Brahmanas, Aranyakas,
Upanishads, and the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana[2].
3. The Four Vedas
Rigveda: Oldest Veda, contains 1028 hymns in 10 Mandalas, composed in praise of various deities. The famous Gayatri Mantra is in the 3rd
Mandala. Purusha Sukta is in the 10th Mandala. Recited by the Hotri priest. Reflects a pastoral society[2].
Samaveda: Book of melodies, basis of Indian music, recited by Udgatri priest. Contains chants for rituals[2].
Yajurveda: Deals with rituals and sacrifices, recited by Adhvaryu priest. Dhanurveda, the Upaveda of Yajurveda, deals with warfare and
archery[2].
Atharvaveda: Contains spells, charms, and medical knowledge. Practical aspects of daily life and treatment of diseases. Also called Brahma
Veda[2].
4. Associated Literature
Brahmanas: Prose texts explaining rituals and sacrifices, attached to each Veda.
Aranyakas: Philosophical texts, bridge between Brahmanas and Upanishads.
Upanishads: Philosophical treatises discussing concepts like Atman (soul), Brahman (universal spirit), karma, and moksha. There are 108
main Upanishads; Chandogya is the oldest. The national motto "Satyameva Jayate" is from the Mundaka Upanishad[2].
5. Society and Economy
Society was organized around the varna system: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra.
Early Vedic society had a better status for women; later Vedic period saw their decline and exclusion from assemblies, and rise of child
marriage[2].
Agriculture became the chief occupation in the later Vedic period, replacing the earlier pastoral lifestyle.
Use of iron tools and Painted Grey Ware Culture is associated with the later Vedic period[2].
Trade expanded, with coins like nishka, satamana, krishnala in use[2].
6. Political Structure
Early Vedic period: Tribal chiefdoms (rajan, sabha, samiti).
Later Vedic period: Emergence of kingdoms like Kuru, Panchala, Videha. Kuru was the first Vedic state, known for codification of rituals
and Ashvamedha (horse sacrifice)[2].
7. Religion
Early Vedic deities: Indra (rain and war), Agni (fire), Varuna (cosmic order).
Later Vedic deities: Prajapati, Vishnu, Rudra gained prominence[2].
Religion became more ritualistic and complex, leading to dissatisfaction and the eventual rise of Buddhism and Jainism[2].
8. Important Practices and Concepts
Tulabhara: Ancient practice where a person was weighed against a commodity, and the equivalent was donated[2].
Vedangas: Six auxiliary disciplines (Shiksha, Chhanda, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Jyotisha, Kalpa) developed for the proper understanding of the
Vedas. Nirukta explains complex words[2].
Dhanurveda (Upaveda of Yajurveda): Deals with archery and warfare[2].
Samaveda: Source of knowledge related to music and chants[2].
Atharvaveda: Source for magical rituals, captivations, and treatment of diseases[2].
9. Key Philosophical Ideas
Panchabhoota (Five Elements): Sky, air, fire, water, earth-considered the basis of all substances in Indian philosophy[2].
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam ("The world is one family") is mentioned in the Maha Upanishad[2].
10. Notable Upanishads
Mundaka Upanishad: Source of "Satyameva Jayate".
Chandogya Upanishad: Oldest and most important.
Katha Upanishad: Dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama (god of death)[2].
Mauryan Period: Quick Revision Highlights from PYQS RRB NTPC
Founding and Extent
Founded by Chandragupta Maurya around 322 BCE after overthrowing the Nanda dynasty with the help of Chanakya (Kautilya)[1].
First empire to unify most of the Indian subcontinent-from Afghanistan in the northwest to Bengal in the east and deep into the Deccan,
except for the far south[1].
Capital: Pataliputra (modern Patna)[1].
Key Rulers and Contributions
Chandragupta Maurya (322–297 BCE)
Established centralized administration and a vast standing army[1].
Defeated Seleucus I (Greek ruler), gaining territories in Afghanistan and Baluchistan[2].
Adopted Jainism in later life and died at Shravanabelagola (Karnataka)[2].
Bindusara (297–273 BCE)
Son of Chandragupta; expanded the empire further south[1].
Maintained diplomatic relations with Hellenistic kingdoms[3].
Ashoka the Great (273–232 BCE)
Greatest Mauryan ruler; empire reached its zenith[1].
Fought the Kalinga War (261 BCE)-after witnessing bloodshed, embraced Buddhism and non-violence[1].
Promoted Dhamma (moral law), built stupas, pillars, and spread Buddhism to Sri Lanka and beyond[2].
Appointed Dhamma Mahamattas to propagate ethical conduct[2].
Banned animal sacrifices, built hospitals, rest houses, and roads[2].
Issued 14 major rock edicts to communicate his policies[1].
Visited Lumbini (Buddha’s birthplace) during his reign[2].
Later Mauryan Rulers
After Ashoka, the empire weakened due to internal strife and weak successors[3].
Last ruler: Brihadratha, assassinated by his commander Pushyamitra Sunga in 185 BCE, leading to the rise of the Sunga dynasty[1].
Administration and Economy
Highly centralized and hierarchical government; empire divided into provinces with governors[4][5].
Single currency system established by Chandragupta Maurya[5].
Strict but fair taxation; taxes collected by state officials, not local chieftains[4].
Civil service and network of officials provided justice and security[4].
Extensive trade (internal and external), especially with Hellenistic West Asia and Southeast Asia[5].
Public works: roads (notably Uttarapath), canals, hospitals, rest houses[4][5].
Prosperous agriculture due to unified administration and
peace[4].
Society and Culture
Political unity achieved for the first time in Indian history[1].
Monarchy reached its peak; end of republics and oligarchies[1].
Art and architecture: Lion Capital of Ashoka (now India’s national emblem), Sanchi Stupa, Ashokan pillars[1].
Literature and sources: Kautilya’s Arthashastra, Megasthenes’ Indica, Ashokan inscriptions, Buddhist chronicles (Mahavamsa,
Dipavamsa)[6].
Decline
Post-Ashoka: rapid decline due to weak rulers, administrative inefficiency, and regional revolts[3].
Final blow: Brihadratha killed by Pushyamitra Sunga; Sunga dynasty established[1].