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Harappan script and language Debates
The Harappan script, first discovered at sites like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro in the early 1920s, remains one of history’s greatest enigmas. Despite decades of study, no universally accepted decipherment has emerged. An upcoming international conference organised by the Ministry of Culture aims to bring together diverse perspectives on this ancient mystery.
1. Nature of the Script
The Harappan script is found mainly on seals, pottery, and tablets. Most inscriptions are short, usually 5–10 signs, which makes interpretation difficult. Unlike the Rosetta Stone that helped decipher Egyptian hieroglyphs, no bilingual inscription has been discovered for the Harappan script.
2. Theories About Language Base
Dravidian Hypothesis: Suggests a proto-Dravidian base, with possible continuity in South Indian languages.
Sanskrit/Vedic Hypothesis: Proposes the script represents early Sanskrit or Vedic-related languages.
Adivasi Connections: Links with tribal languages like Santali or Gondi, based on structural similarities.
Undeciphered View: Some historians maintain there is no conclusive evidence to tie the script to a single language group.
3. Challenges in Decipherment
Absence of Long Texts: Short inscriptions hinder grammatical or syntactic analysis.
Geographic Spread: The civilisation stretched from Afghanistan to Gujarat, making a single language unlikely.
Time Span: Over centuries, languages naturally evolved within the Harappan civilisation.
No Bilingual Finds: Unlike Brahmi decipherment aided by Greek-Brahmi coins, Harappan lacks comparative texts.
4. Modern Research Directions
Researchers are now applying digital methods to analyse sign patterns. Comparative studies with texts like the Rigveda and Manu Smriti have been attempted. Some scholars link Harappan symbols to religious or economic practices, suggesting seals may have been used for trade or rituals.
5. Conference Highlights
The conference at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) will feature 20+ papers exploring connections with Santali, Gondi, proto-Dravidian and Sanskrit. Presentations include attempts to match Harappan signs with tribal culture, religious texts, and art motifs. This reflects the broader quest to better understand India’s oldest urban civilisation through an interdisciplinary approach.
FAQs
1. Why is the Harappan script so difficult to decipher?
Because inscriptions are very short, no bilingual texts exist, and the civilisation spanned a vast and diverse region.
2. What materials carry Harappan inscriptions?
They are found on seals, pottery, copper plates, tablets, and occasionally tools.
3. Which languages are proposed as bases for the script?
Suggestions include Proto-Dravidian, Sanskrit, Santali, Gondi, and other tribal languages.
4. Did the Harappans have a single language?
Probably not. Given the civilisation’s geography and time span, multiple languages may have coexisted.
5. What is the importance of the current conference?
It brings together archaeologists, linguists, and scientists to evaluate new theories, keeping alive the effort to crack the Harappan code.
“History is not just about what we know; it is also about the questions that continue to inspire inquiry.”