The Indus Valley Civilization
By V. G. Nair
Summary
V. G. Nair’s article ‘The Indus Valley Civilisation’ explores archaeological evidence suggesting that Jainism’s roots extend back to the Harappan civilisation (c. 3000 BC). The author notes that the highly developed culture of the Indus Valley is ascribed to the Dravidians, whom Jaina tradition regards as followers of the śramaṇa religion preached by the first Tirthankara, Rsabha. Early Brahmanical sources describe the Dravidians and Asuras as Vrātyas or heterodox communities linked to Jainism. The article examines seals and figurines from Mohenjo‑daro and Harappa depicting deities in yogic postures. Scholars like R. P. Chanda argue that these images show kayotsarga posture—standing meditation associated with Jain penance—and that the seated figures represent meditators in yoga. A standing image of Rsabha in kayotsarga posture found at Mathura (2nd century AD) resembles Indus figures, reinforcing the connection. The name Rsabha means ‘bull’, and a bull appears frequently on Indus seals; the article suggests this emblem symbolises the Mahayogi Rsabha. Nair discusses a nude male torso from Harappa that resembles later images of Tirthankaras from Lohanipur (Patna), which have been dated to the Maurya or Sunga periods. Archaeologists like K. P. Jayaswal and T. N. Ramacandran interpret these torsos as representations of Jinas. The author argues that such similarities indicate continuity between Indus Valley iconography and later Jain art. He cites textual references asserting that Jainism was preached among the Asuras and notes that Jaina pilgrimage traditions associate the Narmada valley with early preaching. By juxtaposing archaeological, textual and iconographic evidence, the article concludes that the Indus Valley civilisation exhibited concepts and symbols later central to Jainism, implying that Jain religious ideas predate the Vedic tradition. The discovery of Indus sites thus provides new insights into the antiquity of Jainism and its deep roots in India’s pre‑Vedic civilisation.
Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.
Conclusion
The author concludes that archaeological and textual evidence from Mohenjo‑daro, Harappa and later sites points to an early tradition of Jina worship predating Vedic culture. Seals showing figures in kayotsarga pose, nude torsos analogous to Tirthankara images and the recurring bull motif suggest that elements of Jain doctrine and iconography were present in the Indus Valley. These findings support the claim that Jainism is one of India’s most ancient religions, with roots in the civilisation that flourished more than five millennia ago.