Industries and crafts in the Harappan period:
(i) The Harappan people had the knowledge of almost all the metals except iron. They manufactured gold and silver objects. The gold objects include beads, armlets, needles and other ornaments. However, the use of silver was more common than gold. A number of copper tools and weapons have also been discovered. The common tools include axe, saws, chisels knives, spearheads and arrowheads. Stone tools were also commonly used.
(ii) Harappan people also used bronze, but in limited manner. The most famous specimen in this regard is the bronze ‘dancing girl’ figurine. It is a nude female figure, with right arm on the hip and left arm hanging in a dancing pose . She is wearing a large number of bangles.
(iii) Bead - making was also an important craft. Beads were made of precious and semi precious stones such as agate and carnelian Steatite was used for making beads. Silver beads have also been found.
(iv) Ivory carving and inlaying used in beads bracelets and other decorations were also in practice.
(v) A well - known piece of art of the Harappan period is a stone sculpture of a bearded man discovered at Mohenjodaro. His eyes are half closed indicating a posture of meditation. Across the left shoulder is an embroidered cloak. In the opinion of some scholars it could be a bust of a priest.
(vi) A large number of terracotta figurines of males and females have been discovered from various Harappan sites. The female figurines outnumber those of males and are believed represent the worship of mother goddess. Besides these, a variety of models of birds, monkeys dogs, sheep, cattle, humped and humpless bulls are found. However, the noteworthy specimen in this regard are various models of terracotta carts.
(vii) Pottery - making was also an important industry in the Harappan period. These pottery were chiefly made with the help of wheel. These were treated with a red coating and had decoration in black. These are found in various sizes and shapes. The painted designs consisted of horizontal lines of varied thickness, leaf patterns, palm and pipal trees. Birds, fishes and animals were also depicted on potteries.
(viii) Seals of various kinds were also manufactured by the Harappan people. These were generally square in shape and were made of steatite. The seals depicted a number of animals except horse. These seals also contained some signs in the Harappan script which however has not been deciphered so far. The most famous of the seals is the one with a horned male deity represented on it. He has three heads and is sitting in a yogic posture surrounded by four animals viz elephant, tiger, rhinoceros and a buffalo. He has been identified by many scholars with the ancient from of the god Pashupati (Lord of beasts) though there are others who dispute this identification.
