INDIA, January 7, 2025 (Swarajya, by Aravindan Neelakandan): The Harappan civilization, first unearthed in the 1920s, continues to pose significant questions for researchers of ancient Indian history. While conventionally categorized as pre-Vedic, a notable body of scholarship has explored the Vedic texts as a potential lens to interpret key facets of Harappan society. Despite the politicization of the term, some prominent archaeologists have employed the designation Sindhu-Sarasvati civilization to describe the Harappan culture. Indeed, understanding Vedic and post-Vedic Hindu traditions may offer valuable insights into the enigmatic symbolism embedded within Harappan seals.

Harappan seal H1951, on its reverse side (side B), depicts an anthropomorphic figure adorned with a distinctive headdress. This headdress features a prominent tuft of hair and an ornament with three projections emanating from a horn-like structure. The presence of the tuft, a characteristic still associated with orthodox brahmins and prevalent among many communities until recently, suggests a potential continuity of cultural practices from the Harappan era. However, the most striking aspect of this depiction is the cylindrical enclosure surrounding the figure, likely a Deity. This structure, with its curved ends and a semi-elliptical top, is further embellished with small projections. The evidence presented leads us to a compelling juncture. While the Harappan seals, as miniature depictions, may not directly symbolise the profound spiritual contemplations of later periods, they undoubtedly contain nascent forms of imagery that would later flourish in Puranic and Hindu iconography.

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