Question

Comment on the religious beliefs of the inhabitants of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Hint:

For questions on ancient civilizations, focus on evidence-based inferences. For IVC religion, remember the key finds: Mother Goddess figurines, the Pashupati seal, and the Great Bath, and what they signify.

Answer 1

The religious beliefs of the Indus Valley Civilization are inferred from archaeological evidence like seals, figurines, and structures, as their script remains undeciphered. [23] Key features include:
\begin{itemize} \item Worship of Mother Goddess: Numerous terracotta figurines of a female deity have been found, suggesting the worship of a Mother Goddess, likely symbolizing fertility and creation.
\item Worship of a Male Deity: A prominent seal, often called the 'Pashupati Seal', depicts a male figure seated in a yogic posture, surrounded by animals (elephant, tiger, rhinoceros, and buffalo). [10, 23] This figure is considered by many scholars to be a prototype of the Hindu god Shiva as 'Pashupati' (Lord of Animals).
\item Animal and Nature Worship: The reverence for animals is evident from their frequent depiction on seals, including the bull, unicorn-like figure, and elephant. They also likely worshipped trees, with the Pipal tree being a prominent motif on seals, sometimes depicted with a guardian spirit.
\item Ritual Bathing: The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro, a large and elaborate water tank, suggests that ritual purification and bathing were important aspects of their religious life. [10, 31]
\item Belief in Amulets and Charms: The discovery of amulets suggests a belief in magical rituals and protection from spirits.
\item No Evidence of Large Temples: Unlike contemporary civilizations in Mesopotamia and Egypt, no definitive large temple structures have been found, indicating that religious practices might have been more personal or conducted in homes and open spaces. \end{itemize}