Harappan Seals
Explanation
The history of writing in the Indian subcontinent begins with the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600–1900 BCE). The script found on various artifacts from this period predates all other known forms of writing in the region by nearly two millennia.
Detailed Analysis
- Harappan Seals: The Harappan script is found on thousands of steatite seals, copper tablets, and pottery fragments. It is the earliest known writing system in the subcontinent. The script is logo-syllabic and remains undeciphered.
- Ashokan Edicts: These inscriptions date to the 3rd century BCE (Mauryan Empire). While they represent the earliest deciphered writing (Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts), they appeared long after the decline of the Harappan civilization.
- Vedic Manuscripts: The Vedic literature was preserved through a rigorous oral tradition (Shruti) for centuries. The writing down of Vedic texts occurred much later in history.
- Tamil Sangam Literature: This corpus belongs to the early historic period of South India (c. 300 BCE – 300 CE), which is chronologically much later than the mature Harappan phase.
Key Takeaway
The Harappan script represents the earliest form of writing in the Indian subcontinent, distinct from and significantly older than the Brahmi script used in Ashokan Edicts.