In a new book, Devdutt Pattanaik argues that the Harappan civilisation persists in our memories

Culture is eventually about people: their cravings and insecurities. Bound by rules of credit and debit, Harappans did not hoard. They shunned conflict, resisted new ideas, feeling safe within walls, gates and courtyards, with their seals. Clan rivalries festered – with status demonstrated using beads and bangles. Not everything was about economics (artha) and politics (dharma) though. There was the pleasure (kama) of spicy food, of colourful clothes, maybe song and dance, even if consumption meant more debt – a warning given by sages meditating under the peepul tree.

Mothers or goddesses

In the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, many clay figurines of bejewelled women have been found. The images are rather crude, perhaps part of a domestic ritual ceremony, like the present-day vrata. Most clay images are female, in direct contrast to the virile male animals found on seals.

The head and trunk are amplified more than the hands and feet. But you get a sense of how the women adorned themselves. The women have elaborate headdresses, beaded chokers and necklaces, bangles, beaded girdles. Was this fashion or ritualistic, like “shringar” of Hinduism – meant to be auspicious and attract good luck and fortune? In Harappan graves, copper mirrors were found with women only.

The earliest such...

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