Indus Valley Civilization : Importance of Seals
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Home | Extent | Period | Features | Social life | Economic activity | Sculptures | Scripts | Seals | Religion | End of the Civilization

Seal carrying a picture of a yogi The most interesting part of the discovery relates to the seals-more than 2000 in number, made of soapstone, terracotta and copper. The seals give us useful information about the civilization of Indus valley. Some seals have human or animal figures on them. Most of the seals have the figures of real animals while a few bear the figure of mythical animals. The seals are rectangular, circular or even cylindrical in shape.

The seals even have an inscription of a sort of pictorial writing. Most of the seals have a knob at the back through which runs a hole. It is said that these seals were used by different associations or merchants for stamping purposes. They were also worn round the neck or the arm.

The seals show the culture and civilization of the Indus Valley people. In particular, they indicate:
  1. Dresses, ornaments, hair-styles of people.
  2. Skill of artists and sculptors.
  3. Trade contacts and commercial relations.
  4. Religious beliefs.
  5. Script.
Important Seals:

The Pashupati Seal: This seal depicts a yogi, probably Lord Shiva. A pair of horns crown his head. He is surrounded by a rhino, a buffalo, an elephant and a tiger. Under his throne are two deer. This seal shows that Shiva was worshipped and he was considered as the Lord of animals (Pashupati).

The Unicorn Seal: The unicorn is a mythological animal. This seal shows that at a very early stage of civilization, humans had produced many creations of imagination in the shape of bird and animal motifs that survived in later art.

The Bull Seal: This seal depicts a humped bull of great vigour. The figure shows the artistic skill and a good knowledge of animal anatomy.

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