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The Earliest Civilization of South Asia: Rise, Maturity and Decline

 
B.B. Lal (Author)
Synopsis The most ancient civilization of South Asia, variously known as the Harappan, Indus or Indus-Sarasvati Civilization, far excelled its contemporaries in other parts of Asia in a number of ways. Not only did it cover a much greater area than did any other civilization, but it also produced urban centres, duly fortified and characterized by meticulous town-planning, efficient drainage system, etc. The book presents a multidimensional study of this grand civilization. Some scholars have held that this South Asian civilization was an import from the west. When called upon to produce concrete evidence, they fumbled and took shelter under the theory ‘ideas have wings’. The book demonstrates that almost all the characteristic features of this civilization had indigenous origin. The Harappan script still remains undeciphered. The book points out where the various decipherers have gone wrong. It further shows that even no two Dravidianists see eye to eye nor do two Sanskritists. The book brings out an interesting picture of the social stratification of the Harappans. An in-depth analysis of the various kinds of data clinches the issue about the dating of the Mature stage of the civilization: from circa 2600 to 1900 BC. ‘Marauding’ Aryans can no longer be held responsible for the destruction of the Harappan Civilization. Perhaps climatic changes, environmental degradation and a steep fall in trade robbed the civilization of its affluence. Urbanism breathed its last. The surviving Harappan villages must have whispered to one another: ‘C’ties may come and c’ties may go, but we go on for ever.’
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About the author

B.B. Lal

An archaeologist of international repute, Professor B.B. Lal was the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India from 1968 to 1972. In the latter year, he took voluntary retirement, better to pursue his research programmes independently. He joined Jiwaji University, Gwalior, as a Professor and later moved to the renowned Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Simla, of which he was also the Director for many years. Born on 2 May 1921, Lal had a brilliant academic career throughout. On joining the Archaeological Survey in 1946, he held charge of the Excavations Branch and participated with Sri Mortimer Wheeler in the excavations at Harappa. Soon he paved his way up, becoming in 1959 the first Director of the School of Archaeology. In 1971, Prof Lal was invited as Alexander White Visiting Professor at the University of Chicago. In 1994, he was awarded D.Litt. degree (honoris causa) by the Institute of Archaeology, St. Petersberg, Russia. The same year he was elected President of World Archaeological Congress-3. He has been President and Member of several UNESCO Committees. At home, the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara conferred on him the title of Vidya Varidhi and the Mithila Vishvavidyalaya, that of Mahamahopadhyaya. He has also been honoured by the Indian Science Congress, Indian Archaeological Society and Asiatic Society, Bombay. Professor Lal has many significant excavations to his credit, ranging from the palaeolithic times to early historical. In 1961, under a UNESCO project, he conducted excavations in Nubia, Egypt. His publications include, besides excavation-reports and other books, over a hundred and fifty research papers, published in scientific journals, both in India and abroad: in USA, UK, France, Italy, Egypt, Pakistan, Japan, etc.

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Bibliographic information

Title The Earliest Civilization of South Asia: Rise, Maturity and Decline
Author B.B. Lal
Format Hardcover
Date published: 01.01.1997
Edition 1st ed.
Language: English
isbn 8173051070
length xxii+308p., Plates., Appendix; Bibliography; Index; 29cm.