History of Hinduism - Indus Valley Civilization

Indus Valley Civilization

Evidence of prehistoric religion in India is found in the Bronze Age Indus Valley Civilization, showing the certain elements of Hinduism such as baths (assumed to serve a ritual purpose) and Symbols, compared to the Shiva lingam. There were also found Swastika signs, which are a popular motif in modern Hinduism.

A seal discovered during excavation of the Mohenjo-daro archaeological site in the Indus Valley has drawn attention as a possible representation of a "yogi" or "proto-Shiva" figure. This "Pashupati" (Lord of Animals, Sanskrit paśupati) seal shows a seated figure, possibly ithyphallic, surrounded by animals. Some observers describe the figure as sitting in a traditional cross-legged yoga pose with its hands resting on its knees. The discoverer of the seal, Sir John Marshall, and others have claimed that this figure is a prototype of Shiva, and have described the figure as having three faces, seated in a "yoga posture" with the knees out and feet joined.

Other icons suggestive of the Shiva Linga and the accompanying Yoni that are ubiquitous in modern Hinduism have been found during excavations as well.

At Kalibangan (at the Ghaggar river) the remains of what some writers claim to be fire altars have been unearthed. S.R. Rao found similar "fire altars" in Lothal which he thinks could have served no other purpose than a ritualistic one. The presence of fire altars and ritual sacrifice in these settlements and others has been accepted by authors such as Edwin Bryant. Cylindrical, phallus-shaped objects found associated with these fire altars have been hypothesized as proto-Shiva lingas.

Many male and female figurines, the female figurines popularly dubbed "Mother Goddesses" have been found in the Indus Valley, although some have expressed doubt as to the divine character of these female figures. Additionally, a seal excavated in Mohenjodaro shows a Goddess-like deity seated on a Peepal (Sacred fig) tree.

The prehistoric Indus Valley civilization is believed to have declined by around 1500BC, and Vedism appeared in its place, with the composition of the Vedas and related Vedic Sanskrit texts.