Daily Life in a City of the 7 Rivers Civilization

The 7 Rivers Civilization, located in the Indus and Sarasvati Valley, is one of the oldest and most fascinating civilizations in history. The Rig Veda, the sacred text of their spirituality, reflects their deep connection with nature, divine forces and their harmonious society. Let’s explore what daily life was like in one of their cities.

A Well-Thought Architecture

The cities of the Seven Rivers Civilization, such as Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa or Kalibangan, were organized with advanced urban planning. The streets were wide, often aligned in a grid pattern, facilitating movement. The houses, built of baked bricks, had several rooms, interior courtyards and even drainage systems.

Each house had access to water through wells, and waste was disposed of through underground pipes, showing great attention to hygiene and well-being.

Domestic Life

Daily life was centered around the family. People grew cereals such as wheat and barley, as well as legumes and fruits. Agricultural tools, made of bronze or copper, were very efficient.

Women played a central role in the household, cooking and spinning cotton to make simple but practical clothing. Men worked in the fields or practiced crafts, such as pottery, jewelry making, or weaving.

An Omnipresent Spirituality

Spirituality occupied an important place in their lives. Vedism, centered on the hymns of the Rig Veda, guided their practices and beliefs. The inhabitants worshiped natural forces such as Agni (fire), Indra (power and storm) or Varuna (cosmic order).

Domestic or community altars were used to perform rituals related to the cycles of nature, such as harvests or births. Soma , a sacred plant mentioned in the texts, played an important role in spiritual ceremonies aimed at raising consciousness.

Trade and Exchange

Cities were vibrant centers of trade. Craftsmen made beads, ornaments, and tools that were exchanged for other goods with distant regions. Trade routes extended as far as Mesopotamia, demonstrating an openness to the outside world.

Lively markets would have been meeting places where locals bought local products, such as spices, fabrics or tools.

Leisure and Entertainment

The inhabitants also had moments of relaxation. Board games, such as those found in the excavations, were popular, as were music and dancing. Children played with clay toys, while adults took advantage of public baths, such as the famous Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro, to relax and purify themselves.

A Society in Harmony

The Seven Rivers civilization appears to have been peaceful. No signs of massive fortifications or armies have been discovered, suggesting that the inhabitants lived in harmony. Their social organization reflected relative equality, without ostentatious luxury or slavery.

This balanced society, where spirituality, work and leisure coexisted, remains a model of human organization respectful of nature and the needs of each individual.

Conclusion

Life in a city of the 7 Rivers civilization combined ingenuity, spirituality and conviviality. Their daily life, in accordance with natural forces and the principles of the Rig Veda, testifies to a harmonious and sustainable worldview. This civilization, although disappeared, continues to inspire with its respectful and balanced way of life.