Indus Valley Civilization: 100 Years of Discovery (2024)
- Time Period: Bronze Age civilization (3200 BCE to 1500 BCE).
- First Sites Discovered: Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, by Daya Ram Sahni and Rakhal Das Banerji, respectively.
- Geographical Spread: Covered 1.5 million sq. km across India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
- Key Features: Known for advanced town planning, metallurgy, and craftsmanship.
- Mysteries: Much remains unknown, including the undeciphered script and reasons for the civilization’s decline.
Indus Valley Civilization (IVC):
- Time Period: Bronze Age civilization (3300 BCE to 1300 BCE) in South Asia.
- Alternate Name: Harappan Civilization (Harappa in Pakistan was the first excavated site).
- Geographical Spread: Covered northeast Afghanistan, much of Pakistan, and parts of India.
- Location: Thrived in the Indus River basin and rivers near the Ghaggar-Hakra river (northwest India and eastern Pakistan).
- Key Features: Urban planning, brick houses, drainage, water systems, craftsmanship (carnelian beads, seal carving), metallurgy (copper, bronze, lead, tin).
Decline of IVC
- Cause: Climate change → weaker monsoons → reduced water supply → drying soil → population migration eastward and southward.
Study by University of Cambridge:
- Prolonged Drought: Droughts began 4,200 years ago and lasted over two centuries.
- Impact: Food systems and settlements affected → people shifted to smaller, self-reliant rural settlements.
- Agricultural Change: Shift to drought-resilient crops like millet.
Lessons For Modern Cities
Urban Planning:
Sustainable development, efficient land use, strong infrastructure like Integrated Urban Development.
Sanitation Systems:
Prioritize sanitation, waste management, and water supply for public health.
Neighborhood Design:
Promote walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods for better social connectivity.
Cultural Diversity:
Embrace diversity, create inclusive spaces and cultural events.
Environmental Awareness:
Focus on green spaces, eco-friendly design, and sustainable transport.
Key Facts About Gingee Fort, Tamil Nadu
Geographical Importance:
- Located atop three hillocks: Rajagiri, Krishnagiri, and Chandragiri.
- Known as the “Troy of the East” due to its impregnable defences.
- Vital during the Carnatic Wars between the French and British due to its strategic location and fortifications, including a 60-foot-wide rampart and an 80-foot-wide moat.
Historical Background:
- Originally built by Ananta Kon of the Konar Dynasty in 1200 CE and named Krishnagiri.
- Renovated by the Vijayanagar Empire.
- Captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1677; remained under Maratha control until 1698 when the Mughals took over.
- Served as the last Maratha stronghold during resistance led by Rajaram I, Shivaji’s son.
- Briefly ruled by Raja Desingh (Tej Singh) before being taken by the Nawabs of Arcot in 1714.
- Controlled by the French from 1750 to 1770, before passing to the British.
Architectural Highlights
- Houses several temples and structures such as Kalyana Mahal (8 storeys), stepped wells, durbar hall, clock tower, armoury, cannon, elephant tank, and gymnasium.
- Two advanced water supply systems ensured water even at the fort’s highest points.
- Rajagiri Hill: Tallest hill (800m), featuring the Ranganatha Temple and citadel.
- Krishnagiri Citadel: Indo-Islamic architecture with a domed audience hall.
- Venkataramana Swamy Temple: Located in the lower fort complex, adorned with carvings from Hindu epics.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Definition:
Sites recognized by UNESCO for exceptional cultural or natural significance, protected and preserved for their outstanding value to humanity.
India’s World Heritage Sites (as of Sept 2024):
- 43 total: 35 cultural, 7 natural, 1 mixed-criteria.
- Latest addition: Mound-Burial System of Ahom Dynasty.
Nomination Process:
Countries create a tentative list of significant sites. Selected sites from the list are submitted for evaluation by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and IUCN.
The UNESCO Committee meets annually to decide on additions based on advisory recommendations and set criteria.
6th Quad Summit Overview
- Event: 6th Quad Summit held in Delaware, USA. 4th in-person leaders’ summit.
- Quad Focus: Address pandemics, climate change, cybersecurity, and more.
Key Highlights of the 6th Quad Summit:
Health:
- QHSP (2023): Strengthening health security in Indo-Pacific.
- Cancer Moonshot: Focus on cervical cancer treatment.
- Pandemic Preparedness: US pledged USD 84.5 million for infectious disease control in 14 Indo-Pacific nations.
Maritime Security:
- MAITRI Initiative: Regional maritime security training.
- IPMDA (2022): Improve maritime security and monitor illegal activities.
- Logistics Network: Enhance disaster response in Indo-Pacific.
- Coast Guard Cooperation: Quad-at-Sea Mission set for 2025.
Infrastructure Development:
- Digital Infrastructure Principles: Focus on security, inclusivity.
- Ports of the Future: Strengthen port infrastructure.
- Undersea Cable Projects: USD 140 million for Pacific connectivity by 2025.
- Infrastructure Fellowship: Capacity building for infrastructure investment.
Technology:
- Open RAN (2023): Secure telecom deployment in Palau with USD 20 million investment.
- AI-ENGAGE: AI and robotics research in agriculture.
- BioExplore: AI for disease diagnosis, crop resilience.
- Semiconductors Cooperation: Address supply chain risks.
- Quantum Technology: Quad collaboration on quantum ecosystems.
Climate & Clean Energy:
- Early Warning Systems: US to provide 3D weather stations to Pacific nations.
- Clean Energy Supply Chains (2023): India to invest USD 2 million in solar projects in Pacific islands.
Cybersecurity:
- Action Plan: Protect undersea telecommunication cables.
- Disinformation Control: Support media freedom, counter foreign influence.
Space:
- SSA Sharing: Expertise exchange for sustainable space management.
Counter-Terrorism:
- CTWG Focus: Counter drones, chemical, biological, and internet-based threats.
People-to-People:
- Quad Scholarships: India offers USD 500,000 for Indo-Pacific students to study engineering.
Quad Principles for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
Inclusive Digital Systems: Secure, reliable, and interoperable systems.
Key Principles:
- Inclusivity: Ensure access for all; avoid bias.
- Interoperability: Use open standards.
- Scalability: Design systems to manage growing demand.
- Security: Ensure data privacy and resilience.
- Governance: Transparent, trusted, and competitive systems.
- Sustainability: Continuous operations with proper support.
- Intellectual Property: Protect IP rights.
- Align with SDGs: Contribute to UN’s 2030 Agenda.
What Is Quad?
About Quad:
A strategic partnership between the US, India, Japan, and Australia for Indo-Pacific security and prosperity.
Objectives:
- Address health, climate, infrastructure, technology, cybersecurity, maritime security, and counter-terrorism.
Origins:
Formed post-2004 tsunami; revived in 2017 due to regional concerns over China.
Expansion:
Potential to include countries like South Korea and Vietnam in future (“Quad-plus”).
India Joins IBCA
- Official Joining: India joins the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), launched in 2023.
- Framework Agreement: India must sign and ratify IBCA’s Framework, similar to the Paris Agreement and CBD.
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA):
Launch: Proposed in 2019, launched in 2023 (50th anniversary of Project Tiger).
Members: 96 countries (4 currently: India, Nicaragua, Eswatini, Somalia).
Budget: Rs 150 crore allocated from 2023-24 to 2027-28.
Governance: Modelled on International Solar Alliance (ISA); Secretariat based in India.
Objectives:
- Prevent illegal wildlife trade of big cats.
- Conserve habitats of 7 big cat species.
- Mobilise financial/technical resources.
- Address climate change impacts.
- Advocate for biodiversity policies aligned with local needs and UN SDGs.
Big Cats Covered:
- Focus Species: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, Puma.
- India’s Species: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah.
Big Cats
Definition:
Large wild cats, primarily in the *Panthera* genus.
Social Structure:
Lions live in prides; other big cats are solitary.
Largest Cat:
Siberian Tiger, endangered due to poaching.
India’s Big Cats:
- Bengal tiger
- Asiatic lion
- Indian leopard
- Snow leopard
- Asiatic cheetah (extinct in 1952)
Cheetah Reintroduction:
African cheetahs reintroduced to Kuno National Park in 2022.
India’s Big Cat Conservation Efforts:
- Project Lion
- Project Leopard
- Project Cheetah
- Cheetah Reintroduction Project
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
- Snow Leopard Conservation