The key to unlock mysterious IVC Seal’s Symbols and inscriptions
The key to unlock mysterious
IVC Seal’s Symbols and inscriptions
Archaeo-Symbolist,
T.L.Subash Chandira Bose.
Introduction
The Indus Valley (IV) a historical region in the North-Western frontier
of ancient India. It covered approximately 12,60,000 square kilometres, an area
including present Pakistan, border lands of Afghanistan, India and Iran.
The Indus Valley civilization (IVC) also called as Harappa civilization (HC),
was an Indus river bank civilization and It was very ancient comparing with
other river bank civilizations viz., Egypt (Nile River), China (Yellow River)
and Mesopotamia (Tigris and Euphrates rivers). The IVC was known to the world
during 1924 A.D.
During archaeological excavations in IVC regions viz., Mohenjo-Daro,
Harappa and others; burnt brick wall building constructions, granaries, great
path, waste water drainage systems, various artefacts like beads and seals,
tablets, pot shells with symbols and scripts were unearthed.
Based on C-14 carbon dating analyses the period of IVC was known from 3,500
B.C.E to 1,500 B.C.E., soon after the archaeological excavations at Mehrgarh and
its findings the period of IVC was known from 5,500 B.C.E to 1,500 B.C.E.
The seals, tablets and pot shells with symbols and scripts unearthed at
various archaeological sites in IVC region are remaining as a mystery because
none of the linguistic scholars could decipher. A bilingual or trilingual script
like Rosetta stone is not yet found. But, there are different opines and
speculations amongst the scholars.
Few US Sanskrit scholars said that the symbols are not a language; while
Indian Sanskrit scholars believe that IVC was Indus - Sarasvathi River Vedic
civilization and the language was Sanskrit. Experts from Finland, Russia and Thamizh
Nadu (TN) are of the view that it could be Proto - Dravidian or Proto -Thamizh
language.
Few of the other experts are in an attempt to decode with computerised artificial
intelligent programme. They wrote and published many articles and books concluding
that it is still an enigma
as scholars could decipher the symbols and scripts.
As an archaeo - symbolist with 35 years experience in decoding ancient
symbols and scripts, have decided to take-up a challenging task to unlock the mysterious
on Indus seals and Inscriptions with the key (symbols and scripts) found in TN.
I wish and hope this article would have given clarity to many of the queries and to know the verity.
Observations
The symbols and letters appears as bass relief on seals and Tablets, also
inscribed on tablets and graffiti marks on pot shells. The seals are mostly
made of satellite stones; the tablets are mostly made out of minerals like
copper and bronze. The mud pot shells are black, red and black and red in
colour. The IVC seals appear as bass relief symbols and scripts provided with
drilled knob at back side enable to hold and get printed on soft materials
viz., cloth, leather, tree barks and then read from right to left. The size of
the seals and tablets vary from one square inch to two square inches; varied shapes
of circle, square, rectangle and few others like spear and sea shells. The
artistic skill and craftsmanship of engravers reflects on the seals, tablets
and pot shells.
According to Sir Asko Parpola’s Corpus of Indus seals and Inscriptions
(CISI) volumes 1, 2, 3.1 with the total numbers of seals, Tablets and pot
shells with code numbers are approximately 5300. Most of those seals are
preserved in Pakistan and Indian museums. Few seals are preserved in various
museums in USA, Gulf countries, Iran and other parts of the world. There are
duplicate seals available in the market for sale.
Research and Study
The Indus symbols and scripts include various types of geometrical
(square) diagrams, kolam (a geometrical line composed of straight lines, curves
and loops drawn around a grid pattern or dots), swastika sign and others. The
symbols also include manifested divine forms (of God and Goddess) in affixed,
infixed and suffixed positions; yogis seated on different yoga posture; female
and male figures; warrior and wild human beings.
It also includes animals (except horse) like dangerous Purudamirugam
(with human face, elephant trunk, bull’s horn, tiger body and its foot claws
and scorpion tail), Unicorn, rhinoceros, buffalo, elephant, rare horned
elephant, tiger, hill goat, dog, camel and others; scorpion, snake, crocodile,
fish; various birds; trees and plants and others. Six spokes wheels appear in
affixed, infixed and suffixed positions. Mostly the sacred animal Unicorn
appears with sacred and royal symbol of Parama gnnaani (knower of Param). Semicircular
type bracket symbol (that used to refer additional information that is also
part of main content) also appeared in few seals and tablets.
The numbers of symbols and letters present on seals, tablets and pot shells
vary from one, two and three, four numbers of letters along with symbols are in
large scale. The maximum numbers symbols and letters are twenty six, arranged
in two to three sentences one below the other. There are combined forms of
three or four letters appear like symbols.
The symbols and letters appear inside the circumference of a circle or
inside the sides of a square. It appears that the origin of letters was from
geometry (a branch of mathematical science). The total numbers of symbols and
letters listed by; Sir, Asko Parola is 1839, Padmasri Iravatham Mahadevan is
417 and me-T.L.Subash Chandira Bose is 400.
The language of IVC
An important question arises about the language of IVC. According to ancient
Indian languages record; Proto - Thamizh or Senthamizh and Sanskrit are ancient
and classic languages, therefore either one of these two could be the language
of IVC.
Proto - Thamizh or Senthamizh has its own letters as the most ancient
language in the entire world dated back to unknown period of time. The Thamizh
Sangam literature and grammar manuscripts (Tholkappiam,and Peragathiyam) speaks
anent to it.
According to Iraiyanaar Agapporul (an ancient Thamizh Sangam literature)
there were three Sangams (assemblies of learned poets) and actively involved for
9990 years. The first Sangam’s head quarters was at South (Then) Madurai, second
was at Kapaatapuram were immersed in the sea during around 6,400 B.C.E and
5,700 B.C.E respectively. The third Sangam was established at present Madurai
the capital city of Pandiyan Kingdom after 5,700 B.C.E.
Sanskrit was a spoken language; it was mainly used to chant mantra while
performing rituals in front of fire alters to please the divinities viz.,
Indra, Varuna, Agni and others. Few Rig
Vedic hymns gives reference about Dasa, Dasuya and Kuyava are dark coloured
people and spoke different language and lived in well constructed forts. Indra
with his mighty weapon (thunderbolt) destroyed their hundreds of forts. There
is also a record of a great flood in four rivers.
Dasa(n) refers humble servant of God and Goddess and they are not
killers. Dasuya is name of place in Indus region and people are Dasuyas said to
be non-Ariyans
The Sanskrit language has barrowed the letters from Devanagari scripts
and its Rig Veda was written around 1,000 B.C.E. and Saint Panini wrote its
first grammar manuscript in Sanskrit during 520 - 460 B.C.E.
The period of IVC declared from 5,500 B.C.E. to 1,500 B.C.E., therefore
the language of IVC may not be Sanskrit; but it could be Proto-Thamizh or
Senthamizh (the grandmother of Dravidian languages viz., Thamizh, Telugu,
Kanata, Malayalam and Tulu). The IVC symbols and scripts maybe pre-mature stage
of writing system and also the period of evolution of letters from symbols.
Based on five (Tholkappiyam) grammar principle viz., letters (Ezhuthu),
words (Sol), meaning (Porul), combination of words (Yaappu) and its classic
(Ani) the twelve vowels (life letters) and eighteen consonants (body letters)
of Proto -Thamizh language are identified.
Tholkappiam (14) speaks about the shapes of two consonant letters ‘Pa and Im’. Peragathiyaththirattu (62 – 65) speaks about the shapes of twelve (short and long sound) vowels by pronouncing (opening, widening and squeezing the lips). The shapes are exactly the same shapes appearing on IVC seals / tablets / pot shells.
Decoding IVC symbols and script
The IVC seals M-304A, M-134A, H-2151A&B, H-134A, M-1429A, M-1848A,
K-22A; tablets M-572A&B and M-1521A&B, M-2042A&B, M-2084A&B,
H-2051A&B and pot a shell M-1592A and a seal Ad-1A are considered for decoding its symbols and
scripts. (Abbreviation- M- Mohenjo-Daro, H-Harappa, K-Kalibangan and
Ad-Allahdino / Nel Bazzar).
M-304A
Seal M-304A is in square shaped; with broken bottom right corner; appears
with seven bass relief letters and a suffixed match stick-type human figure
appears at top portion; the third and fourth letters appear within fifth
letter. The seventh letter combined with match stick - type human figure.
A well dressed and ornamented, three faced mighty divine figure (with
long nose, thick lips) adorned with horned crown; seated in Yoga Posture (Moola
panda asana) seated on a hour-glass shaped double drum type seat appear at the
mid portion. There are totemic or heraldic symbols of animals viz., Rhinoceros,
Buffalo, Elephant and Tiger, a match stick - type human figure (referring a
word ‘An’ means he) appear all around. A set of Hill Goats (Varaiyaadu- mostly
live on peak of mountains) appear at the bottom of hour-glass shaped double
drum type seat.
This seal has to be printed on soft materials like cloth, leather, tree
bark and then read from right to left as; Pa + su + (it +ta +pa) + thi +(ya + an). Pasu itta
Pathi Yaan. (Please refer M-304a)
According to Thamizh dictionary; Pasu means living tiny soul(s); itta
means gave / given / placed; Pathi means Lord / God / Father and Yaan means
singular characteristic name.
Meaning: Pasu itta Pathi is a singular characteristic name of Father / Lord
/ God who placed the living tiny soul(s). Sir, John Marshall named this seal as
‘Pasupathi seal’ is to be noted.
Note: Pasupathi is one among the names of Lord Sivaperuman. The totemic
or heraldic symbols of animals viz., Rhinoceros refers ‘great people’ lived
North-western direction, Buffalo refers western direction, Elephant refers
Northern direction, Tiger refers Eastern direction and Hill Goats refers
southern direction. The mighty human seated on yoga posture is Lord Sivaperuman
(Mahayogi- chief of seven Yogis), who placed tiny souls in four great group of
people (match stick- human figure) lived in different parts of ancient Indian
sub-continent. There are Pasupathi Nathar / Pasupathi Nath temples in TN and
all over India dedicated to Lord Sivaperuman. Nathar or Nathan is a Thamizh
word and Nath is a Sanskrit word.
M-134A
Seal M-134A is square in shaped; appear with bass relief four letters at
the top, the second letter is inside the first letter. A Unicorns figure with a
symbol of Parama gnnaani (knower of Param) is appearing at the bottom.
This seal is printed on soft materials like cloth, leather, tree bark and
then read from right to left as; Aa +na + n + thi. Aananthi. (Please refer
M-134a)
Meaning: Aananthi is one
of names of Mother Goddess Umai Ammai / Parvathi - the consort of Lord Siva.
Note: Naming a female
child as Aananthi is an ancient tradition of India and this tradition is still
continued in TN.
H-2151A&B
Seal H-2151A&B is square in shaped; appears with three bass relief
letters. Side A with one letter and side B with two letters. This seal is
printed on soft materials like cloth, leather, tree bark and then read from
right to left as; Va +na + thi. Vanathi. (Please refer M-2151a&b).
Meaning: Vanathi is name of
celestial river Ganges.
Note: Ganges is English,
Gangai in Thamizh and Ganga in Sanskrit languages. Vanathi is combination of
two words viz., Van (celestial) and Nathi (River). Gangaatharan is one among
the names of Lord Sivaperuman who bears the celestial river Ganges on his head.
Note: Naming a female
child as Vanathi is an ancient tradition of India and this tradition is still
continued in TN.
H-134A
Seal H-134A is in long rectangular shape appears with bass relief eight
letters. This seal is printed on soft materials like cloth, leather, tree bark
and then read from right to left as; Pa +ra + me + sa + n + it + ta + aa.
Paramesan itta Aa. (Please refers H -134a)
According to Thamizh
dictionary; Paramesan refers Lord Sivaperuman, iita means gave / given and ‘Aa’
is a single letter word refers ‘tiny Soul’.
Meaning: Tiny soul is
given by Lord Siva.
Note: Paramesan or Parameshwaran in Thamizh, Paramesh in Sanskrit is the name of Lord Sivaperuman.
M-1848A
Seal M-1848A is in square shaped and appears with bass relief type four
letters at the top. In which the second, third and fourth letters appear one
below the other. A Unicorns figure with a symbol of Parama gnnaani (knower of
Param) is appearing at the bottom.
This seal is printed on
soft materials like cloth, leather, tree bark and then read from right to left
as; Na + n + na + n. Nannan (Please
refer M-1846a).
Note: The name ‘Nannan’
appears in ancient Thamizh sangam literatures viz., Agananooru, Purananooru and
Malaippadukadaam.
K-22A
Seal K-22A is in square shape and appears with bass relief type four
letters at the top. In which the first, second, third and fourth letters
appears a symbol. A symbol of
Pichchaadan is in infixed position. A Unicorns figure with a symbol of Parama
gnnaani (knower of Param) is appearing at the bottom.
This seal is printed on soft materials like cloth, leather, tree bark and
then read from right to left as; (Sii + Aa + roo +r ) + Pichchaadan +Aana + n.
Sii Aarvur Pichchadanaanan (Please refer K-22a).
According to Thamizh dictionary; Sii means Thirumagal or Thiru, Aaroor is
a name of ancient place at were Lord Sivaperuman temple Thanjavur district,
Pichchadan is one of the divine manifested of Lord Sivaperuman and Aanan means
who became.
Meaning: Pichchadan who became
Lord of Thiru Aaroor (Thiruvaaroor).
Note: Thiruvaaroor is the
ancient name of a place and there is a temple dedicated Lord Siva in TN.
M-1429A
M-1429A is a tablet; long rectangular in shape, appears with eight bass
reliefs type letters and an affixed match stick type human figure referring a
word ‘An’. The seventh letter is inside the eighth letter. This tablet read
directly from right to left as: An + bu + l + la + pa + sa +na + (ru+il). Anbulla Paasanarul.
If the body (consonant) letter ’in’ mate with a life (vowel) letter ‘a’,
a life and body letter ‘na’ will borne. The inner life and body letter ‘ru’ has
to read first and then the outer body (consonant) letter ‘il(l)’ as ‘rul’.
According Thamizh
dictionary; Anbulla means affectionate; Paasan means Lord Sivaperuman and Arul
means grace.
Meaning: The affectionate
Lord Sivaperuman’s grace.
M-572A&B
M-572A&B is a tablet and irregular long rectangular in shape. Side A appears
with engraved type of five letters. The second letter shown within a
semicircular bracket sign and the third letter annexed with second bracket
sign. Side B appears with a rhinoceros
These two tablets read
(without bracketed letters and with bracketed letters) directly from right to
left as;
(Without bracketed
letters) Paa+ ich+ chi (si). Paachchi.
(With bracketed letters)
Paa+ (sa + vu) + ich + chi (si). Paasa vuchchi.
According to Thamizh dictionary, Paachchi means mother’s milk and Paasa
vuchchi means the mother allows ( her child) with love to suck and drink her
milk.
Conclusion: These two
identical tablets emphasize the importance of mother’s milk and real nature or
love of a mother to suckle (feed milk) her child.
M-2042A&B
M-2042A&B is an irregular long rectangular in shaped tablet. Side A
appears five letters, the second and third letters are combined together. Side
B appears with an Elephant figure.
This tablet read directly from right to left as; Pa + (l + li) + na + m.
Pallinam.
According to Tholkappiyam
grammar manuscript, If the body letter ‘il’ mate with third vowel (life) letter
‘e’ a life and body letter ‘li’ will
borne. The ‘Pallinam’ is combined form of two wards viz., Pal + Inam.
According to Thamizh
dictionary ‘Pal’ means Elephant / more than one and ‘Inam’ means group /
example.
Meaning: ‘Pallinam’ - Elephant
group.
Note: This tablet may refer the great people lived
in Northern direction (present Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states) of ancient
India.
M-2084 A&B
M-2084 A&B is a tablet; long rectangular in shape, appears with bass
reliefs type three symbols and six letters. The first symbol in affixed, second
and third are in infixed positions. The first symbol is inside the first
letter; the second and third letters are in combined form and the fourth and
fifth letters are in combined form. This tablet rearranged correctly (side B as
side A and side B as side A) and then read directly from right to left as:
Pichchaadananul
Pinaagapaani. Duriyaadeethem(n) (u + ru) (pi + thaa) Si.
Pichchaadananul
Pinaagapaani. Duriyaadeethem(n) uru pithaa Si.
If the consonant letter ‘in(n)’ mate with vowel letter ‘u’, a life and
body letter ‘nu’ will borne.
Meaning: The Pinaagapaani
(archer) is inside (the inner self) of Pichchaadanan (beggar form).
Duriyaadeetham(n) is the divine form (uru) of father (pithaa) Lord Sivaperuman.
Note: Pinaagapaani
(archer), Pichchaadanan (beggar form) are among the manifested forms of Lord
Sivaperuman.
Note: The symbol of Duriyaadeetham(n) (who attained highest state of peace in Yoga practice) appears on a pot shell unearthed at Keezhadi (Sivagangai district) and rock art (drawn in dark red-oxide colour) found at Keezhvaalai (Villuppuram district) in TN.
H-2051 A&B
H-2051 A&B is a tablet; long rectangular in
shape, side A appears with bass relief type two letters and neither symbols nor
letters are in side B. This tablet read directly from right to left as: O + M.
OM.
Meaning: OM – Piranavam (The root and sacred syllable).
Direction of IVC seal’s writing and reading.
Pot shell M-1592A and a seal Ad-1A and chosen for case study. Seal Ad-1A
is square in shape with broken bottom portion and appears with three letters at
the top and partial portion of Unicorns with a symbol of Parama gnnaani (knower
of Param) are appearing at the bottom.
Seal Ad-1A is to be printed on soft materials like cloth, leather, tree
bark and then read from right to left as; Pa +ra + me. Parame. (Please refer
Ad-1a)
Meaning: Parame is the
highest.
M-1592A is a broken pot shell and appears with three letters. These three
letters are identical to the letters appears in seal Ad-1a and read directly
from right to left as; Pa +ra + me. Parame.
Meaning: Parame is the
highest.
Note: Param is the first highest
manifested form from and Paraparam (the most highest). The graffiti marks
incised on pot shells to read directly from right to left.
This comparative case study
confirms that the direction of IVC seal’s writing and reading system was from
right to left.
Evidences of IVC seal’s symbols and scripts in TN
Few IVC seal’s symbols and scripts are appears in Thamizh Brahmi scripts
at Vikamangalam, Azhagar hills, Kongar Puilangulam (Madurai district) and
Pothigai hills in Thirunelveli district attributed to 300 B.C.E.
IVC seal’s symbols and scripts appears on pot shells unearthed during
archaeological excavation sites in Kodumanal (Erode district), Aathichchanallur
(Thirunelveli disirtict), Keezhaldi (Sivagangai district), Maangulam (Palani
District), Saanoor near Dindivanam and others. Based on C-14 carbon dating
analyzes the period attributed around 600-800 B.C.E. and an Iron sward
unearthed Mayillaadum Parai (Krishnagiri district) declared around 4,200 B.C.E.
A stone axe unearthed at Sembian kandivur near Nagappatinam appears with
IVC symbols and scripts, assumed around 5,500 - 1,500 B.C.E.
The IVC seal’s symbols were drawn in dark red-oxide and white colour
appears in rock art sites at Keezhvalai (Villuppuram district), Thamaraikulalam
(Tirunelvali district) and Kongar Puliyangulam (Madurai district) assumed from
8,000 – 4,000 B.C.E. A unique symbol unearthed in Keezhadi (Sivagangai
district) is also appear on a Indus seal.
In addition there are many geometrical shape IVC seal’s symbols and scripts
also appear in many rock art sites in TN.
Conclusion
01.
The Key to unlock mysterious IVC Seals and inscriptions is Proto-Thamizh
or Senthamizh.
02.
The IVC seal’s symbols are pictographic words and scripts are phonetic
letters. The combination of symbols and letters forms words and sentence.
03.
The direction of IVC writing and reading was from right to left.
04.
Semicircular brackets introduced in writing system. Symbols are shown in
affixed, infixed and suffixed positions.
05.
The Indus people are master in mathematical and astronomical sciences.
06.
Few seals are used for trader’s mark and many seals and tablets are used
from teaching and learning the physic / metaphysic / life sciences.
07.
The people lived in Indus valley region are peace lovers, highly
literate, they developed the writing system with proper grammar.
08.
They worshipped the nature and Lord Sivaperuman and his consort Goddess
Umai ammai (Parvathi).
09.
They practised Yoga and attained highest state of peace (Duriyaadeetham).
10.
The attained salvation / final emancipation by following spiritual path.
References
01.
Asko Parpol and Jagat Pathi Joshi, Corpus of Indus seals and
inscriptions, Volume -1, collections in India, 1987, Published by Suomalaimen
Tiedeakatemia, Finland. ISBN: 951-41-0555-9.
02.
Asko Parpola, Sayid Ghulam Mustafa shah, Corpus of Indus seals and
inscriptions, Volume -2, collections in Pakistan, 1991, Published by
Suomalaimen Tiedeakatemia, Finland. ISBN: 951-41-0556-7
03
Asko Parpola, B.M. Pande and Petteri Koskikallo Corpus of Indus seals and
inscriptions, Volume -3.1, supplement to Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, 2010, Published
by Suomalaimen Tiedeakatemia, Finland. ISBN: 978-951-41-1040-5.
04
Dr.K.Rajan, Early writing system, 2015, Published by Pandiya Nadu centre
of Research and Study, Madurai. ISBN: 97881907451-30.
05
Pavaanathan Pillai.S, 1912, Peragaththiyaththirattu with Annotations,
printed by S.P.C.K press, Veperi Chennai.
06
T.L.Subash Chandira Bose, Anitha Kumar, Dr. Ram Kumar, M. Pandurangan, TM R. Veerasekaran, 2018, Ancient Thamizh – The Faculty of Harappan
symbols and script, Published by A centre for ultimate studies, Tiruchy-620001.
ISBN: 978-15136-3026-7
07
T.L.Subash Chandira Bose, Dr. Ram Kumar, TM R. Veerasekaran, 2020, Sindusamaveli
Muthiraigalum Pazhnthamizhk Kurieedukalum ezhuththukkalum. Published by A centre for ultimate studies,
Tiruchy-620001. ISBN: 978-15136-3028-1.
08
T.L.Subash Chandira Boee, 2023, Sindu samaveli Muththiraigalil senthamizh
thollikkana ilakkiyach chuvadugal, Published by A centre for ultimate studies,
Tiruchy-620001. ISBN: 978-15136-6523-1
09
The Maiyappan Thamizh Agarathi (Dictionary), 2006, published by Maiyappan
pathippagam.
10
Tholkaappiyam (Ezhuththathikaram), 2005, published by Saratha
pathippakam, Chennai.
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