Indus Valley Civilisation

Mohenjo-daro

Harappan small figures

IVC-major-sites-2

Alexander Cunningham of the ASI 02

Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay

Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) was a Bronze Age civilization located in the northwestern regions of South Asia, lasting from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE, and in its mature form from 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE. Together with Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, it was one of three early civilizations of the Near East and South Asia, and of the three, the most widespread, covering an area of 1.25 million km². It flourished in the basins of the Indus River, which flows through the length of Pakistan, and along a system of perennial, mostly monsoon-fed, rivers that once coursed in the vicinity of the seasonal Ghaggar-Hakra river in northwest India and eastern Pakistan.

Origins and Discovery

The civilization's origins lie in the Neolithic cultures such as Mehrgarh, which dates to 7000 BCE. These early settlements developed into the urban Indus Valley Civilization by 2600 BCE. The discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization was made public in the 1920s, after excavations led by Sir John Marshall at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, two of the civilization's largest cities.

Major Cities

Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro are considered the civilization's twin capitals, but other important cities included Dholavira, Ganeriwala, and Rakhigarhi. These cities displayed advanced urban planning and engineering, including the world's first known urban sanitation systems.

Culture and Economy

The Indus Valley people were skilled in various crafts, including flint working, ceramics, and metallurgy (especially copper, bronze, lead, and tin). The civilization is noted for its seals, which depict various animals and possibly served as symbols of trade or authority. The economy was heavily based on agriculture, supplemented by animal husbandry, hunting, and fishing. Wheat, barley, and peas were among the cultivated crops.

Writing System

The Indus script is a collection of symbols that has not yet been deciphered. It is believed to have been used between 3500 BCE and 1900 BCE. The script's inability to be read has made it difficult to understand the social structure, governance, and religious practices of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Decline

Around 1900 BCE, the Indus Valley Civilization began to decline. The reasons for this decline are not entirely clear but may include climate change, tectonic events, and a reduction in trade with Mesopotamia. By 1300 BCE, the civilization had largely vanished, leaving behind a legacy that influenced later cultures in the region.

Legacy

The Indus Valley Civilization left a lasting legacy on the Indian subcontinent. Not only did it influence subsequent cultures in the region, but it also contributed to the development of later South Asian civilization. The discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization has also played a crucial role in understanding the history of human urbanization, trade, and social organization.