The first assignment was to choose an object from the Indus Valley Civilisation, identify and discuss the various professions that would be attached to the making of that object.
While researching about the professions prevalent during the Indus Valley civilisation, also known as the Harappan Civilisation, I learnt that agriculture was the most important occupation, so farmers prevailed during this time. Other professions included skilled artisans, craftsmen, jewellers, builders, carpenters, metalworkers, leather workers, weavers, traders, potters, farmers, etc.
I chose jewellery as the object since I wanted to know the professions that could have been involved with the jewellery during the Harappan Civilisation –
- Craftsmen– made jewellery with metals like brass, gold, terracotta; clay and wooden pieces
- Bangle makers– wooden bangles were prominent
- Engravers & Carvers
- Artisans– designed the ornaments and jewellery
- Merchants / Traders– business and trade of jewellery
- Administrative authorities– management and value of jewellery; documenting the history and records
- Goldsmiths– gold jewellery during the late Harappan civilisation
- Blacksmiths
- Local vendors– for selling the jewellery
- Pedlars– transportation of jewellery
- Transport facilitators– for both land and sea
- Potters– jewellery made out of clay
- Miners– excavated the precious stones
- Archaeologists– studied the stones
Bibliography-https://pristinefire.in/blogs/popular-interest/jewelry-in-indus-valley-civilization
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