Education and Transmission of Knowledge in the 7 Rivers Civilization

The Seven Rivers Civilization, also called the Indus Civilization or Sapta Sindhu Civilization, was one of the most advanced civilizations of antiquity, known for its sophisticated urban planning, irrigation systems, and economic prosperity. Although we do not have explicit texts on the educational system of this civilization, archaeological evidence and parallels with contemporary civilizations allow us to outline hypotheses on education and the transmission of knowledge within this society.

1. Writing and archiving knowledge

One of the key aspects of education in this civilization was probably related to writing. The Indus seals, decorated with engraved symbols, indicate the existence of a form of written communication. Although the Indus script has not yet been deciphered, it is possible that these symbols were used to transmit commercial, religious or administrative information. The fact that similar seals have been found over vast territories, as far as Mesopotamia, indicates a cultural and commercial exchange, suggesting a class of literate elites responsible for the transmission of knowledge.

2. Transmission of agricultural and craft techniques

The inhabitants of the Seven Rivers civilization were excellent farmers and craftsmen. Knowledge of irrigation, water management, and the production of ceramic tools and objects was probably passed down from generation to generation within families and craft guilds. The existence of complex techniques in metallurgy, weaving, and the production of fired bricks shows that these skills were codified and widely shared within society.

3. Religious and spiritual education

The Rig Veda, although probably compiled as we know it towards the end of the civilization, offers a glimpse into the transmission of spiritual knowledge within the Indus civilization. The Vedic hymns sung at this time reveal a rich oral tradition, in which memorization and recitation of sacred texts played a central role. This oral transmission required rigorous education, probably involving spiritual masters and priests who guided young disciples in learning mantras and rituals.

4. Knowledge related to urban planning and engineering

The sophisticated plans of Indus Valley cities such as Mohenjo-daro and Harappa demonstrate a high level of mastery of urban planning and infrastructure management techniques. The construction of sewerage systems and public baths implies that engineers of the time had access to advanced knowledge, probably transmitted through practical apprenticeship. This technical knowledge must have been taught through well-organized transmission networks, perhaps within family groups or trades.

5. Learning within communities

As in many ancient civilizations, education in the Seven Rivers civilization probably took place largely within families and communities. Craft, agricultural and commercial skills were likely transmitted in a communal setting, with elders playing a crucial role in teaching younger generations. The strong social cohesion observed in this society may be linked to an intergenerational transmission of the values of cooperation, respect and living in harmony with nature.

Conclusion

Education and knowledge transmission in the Seven Rivers civilization revolved around a combination of practical learning, spiritual education, and mastery of craft and urban skills. Although we do not have written records that explicitly describe these processes, architecture, artifacts, and the oral transmission of traditions such as the Rig Veda provide us with valuable clues as to how knowledge was preserved and shared in this civilization.