Harappan bronze
Topic: Harappan (Sindhu-Sarasvati) Civilisation · NCERT: Class 6, Ch 6 "The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation"; Class 7, Ch 4 "New Beginnings: Cities and States"
Meaning
Bronze is an alloy, which means a mix of metals. It is made by mixing copper with tin, and it is harder than copper alone. The Harappans used copper and bronze for tools, weapons for hunting, vessels, mirrors and figurines. This is why the civilisation is called a Bronze Age civilisation. Iron was not known to the Harappans. It came much later.
Example
The "Dancing Girl" from Mohenjo-daro in Sindh is a famous small bronze figure. It belongs to the Mature Harappan phase (c. 2600–1900 BCE). Copper mirrors have also been found in some Harappan graves.
Don't confuse with
- Iron Age: a later period. Exam statements saying "Harappans knew iron" are false.
- Copper: the pure metal, which is softer. Bronze is copper mixed with tin.
Related concepts
- Chanhudaro
- Harappan bead-making
- Carnelian
- Carnelian beads
- Steatite
- Faience
- Lapis lazuli
- Shortughai
- Khetri copper region
- Daimabad bronzes