Describe the social and religious life of Indus Saraswati civilization.

India has one of the most ancient civilizations of the world called the Indus-Saraswati civilization. Scholars have found through various excavations that roughly about 5-7 thousand years ago, people settled on the banks of rivers Indus-Saraswati, ultimately developing a prosperous civilization. It was sustained upon two rivers- the Indus and Saraswati.
a. Existence of River Saraswati- Holy River:
While Saraswati originated from Shivaliks but now due to change in geological structure, it has become extinct. Due to its non-physical existence, its existence was questioned but pictures taken by artificial satellites prove that it existed. It is extensively mentioned in holy books of Hindus like the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Vedic literature
b. Social Life:
The people were organized in various occupations according to their ability and contributed to society. The excavations reveal main work to be organised around religious, administrative, medical, security and production.
c. Religious Life:
People held faith in the worship of natural forces. They believed in the divinity of Earth, Peepal tree, Neem, Jal, Surya, Agni. Excavations of seals, coins etc reveal that they believed in magic, orthodox rituals, spells and sacrifice of animals. The presence of fire altars at Rakhigadi and Lothal reveal the importance attached to the rituals of fire and yagnas. Incense sticks were used in worship. Death ceremony was performed with extensive burials or cremations.

Thus the elaborate Indus Valley Civilization is one of the most extensive and well planned ancient civilizations with great advancements in public life and hygiene.