What religions did the people of the Indus Valley civilization practice? Did any other religions emerge in their region?

Answer 1

The religious practices of the Indus Valley civilization, also known as the Harappan civilization, are not entirely known due to the limited understanding of their script, which has not yet been deciphered. However, based on archaeological artifacts, it is believed that the people of the Indus Valley practiced a form of ancient proto-Hinduism, which may have included the worship of fertility goddesses, gods associated with water or rivers, and animals.

Evidence of religious practices in the Indus Valley includes seals and sculptures depicting figures in yogic or meditative postures, as well as representations of a horned deity that is often referred to as a proto-Shiva figure. The presence of fire altars, ritual bathing areas, and sacrificial pits also suggests religious rituals involving fire and water.

It is important to note that much of the information remains speculative, as the Harappan script has not been deciphered yet, hindering a comprehensive understanding of their religious beliefs and practices.

Regarding the emergence of other religions in the region, after the decline of the Indus Valley civilization, several religious and philosophical traditions emerged in the Indian subcontinent. This includes the Vedic religion or early Hinduism, which developed from around 1500 BCE onward in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. Other religions such as Buddhism and Jainism also originated in the same region in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE respectively.