Religious Practices of the Harappan Civilisation
Ancient History › Indus Valley Civilisation · Topic 3.7
Without a readable script, Harappan religion is inferred from objects: terracotta female figurines suggesting an earth or mother goddess, a seal showing a horned deity in a yogic posture (called Pashupati, though doubtful), stone phallus-like and ring objects, worship of the pipal tree and animals such as the unicorn and humped bull, amulets, fire altars at Kalibangan, burials with grave goods, and no temples.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Indus Valley Civilisation
At a Glance
- Female deity Terracotta mother goddess figures
- Male deity Horned figure on a seal
- Nature worship Pipal tree, unicorn, humped bull
- Altars Fire altars at Kalibangan
- Buildings No temples
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Ancient History: Indus Valley Civilisation
Where Does It Fit?
This is the seventh topic of the category on the Indus Valley Civilisation. The previous topic covered society and polity, and this one covers beliefs. The next topic covers the script, seals and weights. Previous topic: Social Organisation and Polity of the Harappan Civilisation.
What Did the Female Figurines Show?
In short: many terracotta figures of women suggest the worship of a fertility or earth goddess.
Numerous terracotta figurines of women have been found at Harappa. In one, a plant grows out of the embryo of a woman. The image probably represents the goddess of the earth, closely connected with the origin and growth of plants, so the Harappans seem to have looked on the earth as a fertility goddess and worshipped her much as the Egyptians worshipped the Nile goddess Isis. It is not known whether the Harappans were a matriarchal people. Some Vedic texts show reverence for the earth goddess, though she is not prominent, and the worship of the supreme goddess developed on a large scale in Hinduism only later, with Durga, Amba, Kali and Chandi regarded as such in the Puranas and tantric literature from the sixth century AD.
What Is the Male Deity on the Seal?
A seal shows a male deity with three-horned heads, seated in a yogic posture with one leg over the other, surrounded by an elephant, a tiger, a rhinoceros and below the throne a buffalo, with two deer at his feet. The god is identified as Pashupati Mahadeva, but the identification is doubtful because the bull is not represented and horned gods appear in other ancient civilisations too. Numerous symbols of the phallus and female sex organs made of stone have been found at Harappa and were possibly meant for worship, and the Rig Veda speaks of non-Aryan phallus worshippers. Phallus worship, begun in Harappan days, was later accepted in Hindu society as a respectable form of worship.
| Object | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Terracotta woman with plant | Earth or fertility goddess |
| Horned seal figure | Pashupati Mahadeva (doubtful) |
| Stone phallus and ring-like symbols | Possibly worshipped |
| Amulets | Protection against ghosts and evil forces |
What About Tree, Animal and Fire Worship?
The people of the Indus region also worshipped trees: a deity is shown on a seal amid branches of the pipal, a tree still worshipped. Animals were also worshipped and many appear on seals; the most important is the one-horned animal called the unicorn, which may be identified with the rhinoceros, followed by the humped bull. The animals surrounding the horned god indicate they were venerated. Gods were worshipped in the form of trees, animals and human beings but not placed in temples, unlike in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Amulets are found in large numbers, probably used against ghosts and evil forces, and the Atharva Veda, associated with the non-Aryan tradition, contains charms and recommends amulets. Another account adds that the Indus people worshipped nature and the pipal, that fire altars were identified at Kalibangan, and that the dead were buried elaborately, with some cremation reported. Graves contain pottery, ornaments, jewellery, copper mirrors and beads, which suggest a belief in an afterlife.
How Should the Evidence Be Read?
Nothing definite can be said about the religious beliefs of the Harappans without reading their script. No temples or religious structures except the Great Bath have been excavated, which sets Harappa apart from Mesopotamian cities and suggests that religion was practised at home or in the open. Some later Hindu traits, such as the veneration of the pipal, the humped bull and fertility symbols, may go back to Harappan beliefs, but continuity cannot be proved, because the script remains undeciphered and the Rig Veda does not describe such practices. As an analytical point, the Harappan evidence shows a nature- and fertility-centred religion without monumental temples or an organised priesthood, in line with the conclusion on rule in Social Organisation and Polity of the Harappan Civilisation. The seals that depict these figures are described in Harappan Script, Seals, Weights and Measures, and the later Vedic religion in Rig Vedic Gods and Religion.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Frequent question Pashupati seal and mother goddess
- Method Inferring belief from objects
- Continuity Link to later religion
What Came Next?
The next topic describes the Harappan script, seals, weights and measures. Next topic: Harappan Script, Seals, Weights and Measures.
Key People and Terms
- Mother goddess Earth or fertility deity
- Pashupati Lord of animals
- Unicorn One-horned animal on seals
- Amulet Charm against evil
- Fire altar Altar for fire ritual
- Phallus Fertility symbol
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Terracotta female figures point to an earth goddess.
- Seal: horned yogic figure, called Pashupati (doubtful).
- Pipal worshipped.
- Fire altars at Kalibangan.
- No temples.
Do Not Confuse With
- Pashupati seal and priest-king Horned seal figure versus steatite statue
- Unicorn and rhinoceros One-horned seal animal, possibly the rhinoceros
- Harappan and Vedic religion Nature and fertility cult versus sacrifice and gods
Memory Hook
Earth mother in clay, horned yogi on the seal, pipal and bull revered, fire altar at Kalibangan, no temple.
Mains Angle
Questions on Harappan religion ask what can be inferred. These points add depth.
- Evidence Figurines, seals, amulets
- Features Fertility, nature, no temples
- Caution Undeciphered script
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“What can be inferred about religious practices in the Harappan civilisation from the available evidence?”
How to Answer
- Goddess Terracotta figures.
- God Horned seal figure.
- Nature Trees and animals.
- Caution Interpretation only.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the female terracotta figurines suggest?
Many terracotta figurines of women have been found at Harappa, one showing a plant growing from a woman's womb. They probably represent a goddess of the earth connected with fertility and plant growth, much as Egyptians worshipped Isis.
What is the Pashupati seal?
It shows a three-horned male figure in a yogic posture surrounded by an elephant, tiger, rhinoceros and buffalo, with deer at his feet. Identifying him as Pashupati Mahadeva is doubtful, because no bull appears and horned gods occur in other civilisations.
What did the Harappans worship?
They worshipped a mother goddess, a horned male deity, trees such as the pipal, animals such as the unicorn and humped bull, and used amulets. Fire altars have been identified at Kalibangan, but no temples have been found.
Did the Harappans have temples?
No. No temples or religious structures of any kind have been excavated at Harappan sites, apart from the Great Bath, which may have been used for ritual bathing. This contrasts with ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, where temples were common.
How did the Harappans treat their dead?
They buried their dead elaborately, with pottery, ornaments, jewellery, copper mirrors and beads placed in graves, which suggests a belief in an afterlife. Evidence of cremation has also been reported at some sites, so practices were not uniform.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Pashupati identification of the horned seal figure is doubtful.
No bull appears on the seal.
2 Temples were common at Harappan sites.
None have been found.
3 The pipal tree was worshipped by the Harappans.
A seal shows a deity amid its branches.
4 Fire altars have been identified at Kalibangan.
Burials with grave goods were also made.
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