Sage-Tips

Why is it hard to decipher the Indus Script?

So far, the Indus writing system could not be translated because the texts are too short, we have no bilingual inscription and we do not which language or languages were transcribed. Moreover, it is possible that it worked differently from any other writing system of the same general period.

What are the difficulties faced by historians in deciphering the Indus Script?

It is challenging for historians to read the inscription those inscriptions that were written thousands of years ago as some letters may be faintly over time. Moreover, they can not be always sure about the exact meaning of the deciphered word due to the very fact that meaning of deciphered words changes with time.

Why has nobody can read the Indus Valley script?

The reason for failure is due to presence of too many complex signs (more than 400 numbers) in the Indus Script. Another reason is, so far, there is no bilingual text consists of Indus Script found. For example, for deciphering Egyptian, people had a bilingual “Rosetta stone”.

Can we read the Indus Script?

Unfortunately, no bilingual inscriptions have yet been found to allow the Indus Script to be compared to a known writing system. Since the Indus Script has not been deciphered yet, its use is not known with certainty and all that we think we know is based on archaeological evidence alone.

What are the drawbacks to our understanding of the Indus Valley civilization?

Answer: It is probable that cholera was also rife, since there was likely to have been seepage between the drinking water and sewage systems. Poor health in the centres of administration would have had a deleterious effect on the Harappan bureaucracy and political control.

What are the problems faced by the epigraphy?

i) The letters on the inscriptions were faintly engraved thus reconstruction of the words became unsure. ii) Some of the inscriptions were not in proper condition thus few words and pieces were missing thus leaving them uncertain about the meaning of the words used in the inscription and understand its timeframe.

What problems were faced by Epigraphists?

Answer: The problems facex by the epigraphtis were :

• The letters are very faintly engraved.
• Inscription may be damaged or some letters were missing.
• It is not always easy to be sure about the exact meaning of the word used in the inscription.
• Several thousand inscriptions are discovered but not all have been deciphered.

Why don’t we know much about the Indus Valley civilization?

The Indus Valley was home to one of the world’s first large civilisations. It began nearly 5,000 years ago in an area of modern-day Pakistan and Northern India. We do not know what the Indus people called their cities, because nobody has been able to translate their ancient language.

Do you agree that the Indus Valley Civilization declined due to ecological disturbance?

Historians generally agree now that the death of the Indus Valley civilisation was not caused by a single dramatic event; it was, instead, a slow decline attributable to a combination of factors.

How was the Indus inscription written?

Majority of the Indus Valley inscriptions were written logographically (by using word signs) and not by using phonograms (speech sounds units). The inscriptions can be compared to structured messages found on stamps, coupons, tokens and currency coins of modern times.