Difference between Indus Valley Civilization and Present Day India
India is a country that has had a long and colorful history, and a large part of that was the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. One of the most distinctive and culturally significant civilizations in the world, the Indus Valley civilization has played a major role in the development of India as we know it today. Let's take a look at how this ancient civilization has impacted on present India.
In Brief
Many believe the Indus Valley civilization to have been established in 3000 B.C. preceding Indian civilization by five hundred to seven hundred years. The civilization was comprised of Harappan and Mohenjadaro, both of which were its major cities. India is the seventh-largest country in the world and is located in South Asia. It is the second most heavily populated country in the world with a population of about 1.18 billion people. India is also considered the most heavily populated democratic country in the world.
Religion
The people of the Indus Valley Civilization were largely polytheistic, which is to say that they believed in many gods. That being said, there are virtually no remaining signs or symbols of the religious practices of these people. What historians now believe is that the people of this civilization practiced a religion that was far removed from the Hinduism of today, although the coming of nomads from central Europe led to the eventual introduction of the Vedas, which subsequently led to the widespread practice of Hinduism. Present-day India for its part is home to four major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. The influx of foreign influences later led to the establishment of Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Economy And Government
Much of the wealth of the Indus Valley civilization came from horticulture. All the villages had huge granaries that were filled to the brim every year. The main crop of the region was cotton, and the inhabitants subsequently leaned to cultivate cotton and to spin it quickly. In many ways, the Indus Valley civilization was much more advanced than similar civilizations that existed during times such as the ancient Egyptian civilization. Unfortunately, very little is known about the system of government of the Indus Valley civilization, although it is believed that the government was mainly authoritarian, with some political leaders coming from the priesthood. Some also believe that the Indus Valley civilization’s system of government was theocratic. Among the main exports of present-day India are petroleum and petroleum-based products, textiles, precious stones, jewelry, software, engineering equipment, chemicals, and leather goods. India is a major importer of crude oil, machinery, and chemicals. The country followed socialist inspired principles from the 1950s to the 1980s, although 1991 saw a shift towards more liberal policies and a free market economy. The country currently follows a democratic system of government.
Summary
Indus Valley Civilization
- Drew much of its wealth from horticulture
- Main crop was cotton
- Believed to have followed an authoritarian or theocratic system of government
- Adopted Hinduism after the arrival of nomads from central Europe
Present India
- Main exports are precious stones, petroleum and petroleum based products, software, engineering equipment, textiles and chemical among others
- Shifted from socialist leanings to liberal policies and free market economy in 1991
- Follows a democratic system of government
