How Did Religion Influence The Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization is among one of the world's three earliest civilizations along with Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. It was born along the Indus River, hence the name of the civilization. It evolved from Mesopotamian agricultural civilizations and irrigation while also branching out and creating its own culture. It developed from the 3rd millennium BCE and lasted all the way until the 2nd millennium BCE before its decline. Even though the Indus Valley civilization has its mysteries, (such as its unknown language) historians took great interest in it, studying it until even now. The Indus Valley civilization was profoundly influenced by religion and trade, as evidenced by the development of a sophisticated urban society, the establishment

They built impressive religious structures, held ritual ceremonies, and depicted deities in art, all of which brought the community together and created a shared sense of identity. This is evident in the construction of elaborate religious structures, such as the Great Bath, which not only served as a place of worship but also brought the community together for communal rituals and gatherings. As said in Chapter Three of the textbook, “priests purified themselves in the Great Bath for ritual purposes,” further solidifying that there were, in fact, religious structures used often in the society (CH3 13). The practice of ritual ceremonies, such as fire sacrifices and water rituals, further solidified the religious foundations of the society and fostered a sense of communal identity. Additionally, the depiction of deities in art and artifacts, such as the famous "Priest-King" and "Dancing Girl" figurines (CH3 13, 15), showcased the importance of religion in their daily lives and provided a visual representation of their beliefs. Through these religious expressions, the Indus Valley civilization created a sense of unity and shared values. Another way that the Indus Valley civilization shared values is through