Recently, the Union Ministry of Culture hosted a three-day international conference in New Delhi on deciphering the Harappan script.

About Harappan Language

• Harappan (Indus Valley) script remains undeciphered since the discovery of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro in the 1920s.

Features of Harappan Language

• Nature of the Script: The Harappan script remains undeciphered and is generally considered to be pictographic and logo-syllabic in character.
• Signs and Writing Style: It comprises around 400–450 signs and is usually written from right to left, though examples of boustrophedon (alternating direction) writing also exist.
• Medium and Inscriptions: The script is mostly found on seals, pottery, and other objects, with inscriptions being extremely brief, averaging about five signs in length.
• Numerical System: It employed a decimal-based numerical system, further reflecting the advanced administrative and commercial practices of the Harappan civilisation.

Theories on the Harappan Language

• Dravidian Hypothesis: Several scholars argue that the Harappan script has roots in proto-Dravidian languages.
  • This view is supported by linguistic parallels and the possibility of continuity with present-day Dravidian languages.
• Sanskrit/Indo-Aryan Hypothesis: Some researchers associate the script with early Vedic culture, citing the prominence of Harappan sites in the Ghaggar-Hakra river system, often linked to the Rig Vedic Saraswati.
  • This perspective suggests the Harappans and Vedic people may have shared cultural or linguistic traditions.
• Tribal Language Links: Another strand of research links the Harappan script to tribal languages like Santali and Gondi.
  • Scholars claim similarities in morphemes and root structures, suggesting the script encoded elements of these proto-tribal languages.
• Symbolic or Administrative Codes: A skeptical view holds that the Harappan script may not represent a spoken language at all. 
  • Instead, it could have been a symbolic system for recording trade, taxation, or religious rituals.

Conclusion

The Harappan script remains undeciphered despite decades of research, with diverse linguistic and cultural theories reflecting both scholarly challenges and political debates, underscoring its enduring mystery and importance for understanding India’s ancient civilisation.

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