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Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, thrived between 2500 BCE and 1700 BCE in present-day Pakistan and northwest India, featuring advanced urban planning, a diverse economy, and a possibly egalitarian social structure. Major cities included Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, known for their grid layouts and sophisticated drainage systems. The civilization declined due to factors like climate change and invasions, but its legacy influenced later cultures in the region.

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34 views2 pages

Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, thrived between 2500 BCE and 1700 BCE in present-day Pakistan and northwest India, featuring advanced urban planning, a diverse economy, and a possibly egalitarian social structure. Major cities included Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, known for their grid layouts and sophisticated drainage systems. The civilization declined due to factors like climate change and invasions, but its legacy influenced later cultures in the region.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Nazakat ullah
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Indus valley civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), also known as the Harappan Civilization, was one of the
world's earliest urban cultures, flourishing approximately between 2500 BCE and 1700 BCE in
what is now Pakistan and northwest India. citeturn0search0

Geographical Extent

The civilization covered a vast area, including:

●​ Punjab and Sindh regions in Pakistan.


●​ Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh in India.

Major cities included Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Lothal, Dholavira, and Kalibangan.


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Urban Planning and Architecture

The Indus Valley people were advanced urban planners:

●​ Grid System: Cities were laid out in a grid pattern with streets intersecting at right
angles.
●​ Drainage Systems: Sophisticated drainage systems with covered drains along the
streets.
●​ Standardized Bricks: Uniformly sized baked bricks used for construction.
●​ Public Structures: Notable buildings like the Great Bath in Mohenjo-Daro, possibly
used for ritual bathing.

Economy and Trade

The economy was diverse and included:

●​ Agriculture: Cultivation of wheat, barley, peas, and cotton.


●​ Craftsmanship: Production of pottery, beads, and metal goods.
●​ Trade Networks: Evidence of trade with Mesopotamia, indicated by Indus seals found in
the region.

Social Structure

While much remains unknown, some insights include:

●​ Standardized Weights and Measures: Suggests a regulated economic system.


●​ Lack of Monumental Palaces or Temples: Implies a possibly egalitarian society
without a dominant ruling class.
Religion and Beliefs

Religious practices are inferred from artifacts:

●​ Seals and Figurines: Depictions of animals and possibly deities, indicating ritualistic
practices.
●​ Mother Goddess Figurines: Suggests the worship of a fertility deity.

Script and Language

The Indus script remains undeciphered:

●​ Symbols: Found on seals, pottery, and other artifacts.


●​ Undeciphered: Despite numerous attempts, the script has not been conclusively
interpreted.

Decline of the Civilization

The decline around 1700 BCE is attributed to multiple factors:

●​ Climate Change: Alterations in river patterns affecting agriculture.


●​ Invasions: Possible incursions by external groups.
●​ Economic Factors: Disruptions in trade and internal challenges.

Legacy

The Indus Valley Civilization left a lasting impact:

●​ Urban Planning: Influenced subsequent cultures in the region.


●​ Craftsmanship: Techniques in bead-making and metallurgy persisted.
●​ Cultural Continuity: Some practices possibly integrated into later South Asian
traditions.

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