SAPT SINDHU CIVILIZATION: SOME SOCIOLOGICAL INSIGHTS

Abstract

This article examines the rediscovery of the Sapt Sindhu civilization and its contemporary significance in shaping India’s cultural and political identity. Scholars, nationalists, and cultural theorists, among others, have played an essential role in searching for and reconstructing this civilization. Rooted in the ancient Indus Valley civilization, the Sapt Sindhu has come to symbolize India’s historical unity and cultural continuity. The article explores how this rediscovery is used to strengthen national pride, particularly in the context of a diverse and pluralistic society. Drawing on sociological insights, it analyzes the ways in which the narrative of the Sapt Sindhu is employed to construct a unified national identity, often at the expense of complex social realities such as caste, regionalism, and gender. Through a critical examination of historical texts, contemporary political discourse, and media representations, the article underscores the potential for such idealized representations of the past to either unify or divide, depending on their use. The methodological approach is rooted in the sociological analysis of national identity formation, cultural memory, and the politics of history. By using theories of collective memory, social identity, and post-colonialism, the study explores how the Sapt Sindhu narrative is both a tool for social cohesion and a potential site of exclusion for marginalized groups. The article concludes by advocating for a more inclusive understanding of India’s cultural history, one that respects the diversity of its social structures and addresses the needs of contemporary society.