Inspired but not Original.
Had more expectation specially after reading graphic history of Sapiens.
In my opinion, the book is not well written. Inclusion of more details would have made it very interesting. Not going to give out spoilers but at many places I felt, it was necessary to add some details as they are available and easy to include.
Appreciate efforts given by the author. 192 After reading this book, I would want every history book in primary schools of India to follow a graphic novel kind of way. Extremely well thought through properly researched book which follows a very subtle journey of generations of a family throughout the evolution and demise of Indus Valley Civilization. Really liked the last few chapters on writings, trade and demise of civilization. It is also well connected to the recent debates around Indo-Aryan migration theory and Dates for Rig Veda and status of Sanskrit in Indian Ancient History. 192 Recently finished reading this amazing graphic novel which taught me so much about the Indus Valley Civilization but without complicating it so that it's accessible to the younger population as well. Nikhil Gulati's illustrations are detailed as well as inviting for the readers & it has been written extremely intricately by him with Prof. Kenoyer. Can't recommend it enough, especially for the younger audience. 192 I absolutely loved this book, if not for the illustration style I don't think I would have actually read through it all. 192 One of the best info comics I have read!! Definitely worth the read!! The tone is very neutral and scientific. The morsels of knowledge that the creators give is very apt. No confusion or over information. Nikhil I am looking forward to more in this series. 192
Who were the people of the Indus?
Why didn't they build pyramids like the Egyptians?
And ultimately what happened to them?
Supported by extensive research from a leading Indus archaeologist, this graphic novel seeks answers to precisely these questions. It is not history in the form of a dull record of dates and events but a beautifully illustrated glimpse into the lives of the people of the Indus civilization, dating all the way back to 3200 BCE.
The People of the Indus is a rare account of how one of the most unique and enigmatic civilizations of the ancient world changed the course of human history. It is sure to enthral young adults and older readers alike. The People of the Indus
What a wonderful way to communicate hundreds of years of the Indus people’s history- at least what we can know of it. The graphic novel style is wonderfully adapted although some sections are a bit more wordy than others. Involvement of Kenoyer, a historian has helped Gulati to integrate a fair bit of tight referencing, nuance and has also enabled communicating the multiple possible ways in which we can understand the Indus history, especially its relationship with the Vedic texts. The divergence between what linguistic analysis tells us and what archaeological approach tells us is nicely presented. Interspersed here and there are possible reconstructions of a daily Indus family along with rich sketches of excavated materials that I guess are faithfully illustrated. The book is a gentle but precise introduction to Indus history and could easily be either a primer for those who are not interested in academic work/wordy books but also for those who wish tin use it as a springboard to dive deeper into this subject. 192
'Thus many of the things we take for granted today trace their roots to the first cities of the world'
The villagers found remains of pottery, and beads under a mound of earth. They knew that there once existed life beneath them. Due to their findings, excavations lay underway in the early 20th century. Indus valley civilization had vast buildings even up to three storeys. One of the prominent landmarks of the bronze age city was 'The Great Bath' where people would cleanse themselves on religious occasions. The cities had well-planned structures with a dedicated sewage pipe. With the advent of agriculture, people were less dependent on animals for food. People migrated from neighbouring cities for better employment. The elite class controlled commerce and trade. The cities which had a common seal with a unicorn motif that flourished along the Indus river were collectively called Indus Valley Civilization. Indus valley civilization is also referred to as Harappan civilization as Harappa was the first site to be excavated.
The narrator takes us back to the time when traces of civilization were just found in South Asia. This meticulously researched graphic novel aims to reconstruct life that existed as early as 2600 BC. The narrative draws comparison between Indus Valley Civilization and the Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations that existed during that era. It also raises pertinent questions like the reason for the existence of the cities, the absence of monolithic structures like pyramids, the cause of decline and gives plausible answers. From their trade routes to their dazzling wares to the intriguing seals to the societal hierarchy to the indecipherable inscriptions, every single feature that brought glory to the Indus Civilisation is documented in great detail. The chapters illustrated with intricate line art are beautiful to behold. How the city built itself from ruins was something that fascinated me. My knowledge of the Indus Valley Civilization was limited to 'The Great Bath'
and how it perished. I'm glad this book expanded my knowledge and fed my curiosity. The extensive on-ground research backed by comprehensive language makes it an insightful read.
192 Where was this book when I needed it in my 9th standard to excel in my History class?
I was a student who used to sleep during my history lecture, I was not great at remembering things and hardly remember a thing or two from the class but this book really made a non-history lover like me, interested. It could be because of the fact the illustrations and graphics were quite superb and the narration of this book was interesting and informative. I loved how the author made it informative and detail-oriented. The Great Bath, where people used to cleanse themselves or used it for religious purposes. Commerce and trade were handled by the upper class.
Harappa and Indus Valley civilization is the oldest civilization which was recently discovered and archaeologists are still trying to find more cues about the people of that era, a lot of artefacts are found, like pottery and ancient text but a lot of things are yet to be discovered. There are many questions that are yet to be answered like. What happened? Where did people from that era go? How come they created a city with so much advanced technology at that time?
Read this book, if you like reading about History or want to learn more about Indus Valley Civilization or Harappa Civilization. 192 This was my first graphic novel, and I feel like I have developed a deep love for this genre, especially in the context of history. Indus valley civilization had always piqued my interest, and that is how I came across this book. I liked how the book is set-up with one of the authors acting like a tour-guide throughout the book. This book gives a great overview of the subject in an informative narration. I really liked the chapter, which focuses on identifying the linguistics of this civilization. I would definitely recommend it to someone who wishes to test the waters in this subject.
P.S. I would really like the author to develop this into a series of graphical-historical novels. 192
Never thought will read history through graphic novels. This concept has melted my heart seriously. I was in ecstasy when I got to know about this book. And thereafter, the previous week was all about finishing off this book and letting each one of you know about it in detail.
Indus and the civilization that took birth are still on repeat. I, myself, had devoted 1 year to some knowings-unknowing and was left with more doubts which are yet on the to-do-lit. coming to the book, we will be aware of the people of the Indus, how the civilization worked out, how it proved to be a wonder, and much more.
Always a line is drawn between Indus’s structure and planning with other civilizations which were never in the race. But where was this panoramic experience all of a sudden?
What was the process of erosion? What happened to these people and the bustling cities and towns and the huge market area which were worshipped by the people as their main source of living and happiness? 192
