Here’s a detailed overview of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), based on NCERT sources
and covering all the key points for SSC CGL preparation:
Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) Overview
1. Introduction
The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), also known as the Harappan Civilization, is one of the
oldest and most advanced civilizations in world history. It flourished around 2500 BCE to 1700
BCE in the Indus Valley, which is present-day Pakistan and northwestern India. The
civilization is named after its first discovered city, Harappa, and it represents a peak of urban
civilization in ancient history.
2. Major Sites of the Indus Valley Civilization
Some of the most prominent archaeological sites of IVC include:
Harappa (Punjab, Pakistan)
Mohenjo-Daro (Sindh, Pakistan)
Dholavira (Gujarat, India)
Lothal (Gujarat, India)
Kalibangan (Rajasthan, India)
Chanhudaro (Sindh, Pakistan)
Rakhigarhi (Haryana, India)
3. Characteristics of the Indus Valley Civilization
i. Urban Planning
The cities were built with a grid system, with streets running at right
angles to each other.
Roads and lanes were well-laid out, and there was clear evidence of
zoning for residential, industrial, and administrative areas.
Citadel and Lower Town: Cities were divided into two parts:
o Citadel: The elevated, fortified part of the city, containing
important public buildings and structures.
o Lower Town: The residential and commercial area.
ii. Architecture and Building Materials
The cities were built using baked bricks, and the buildings were
multi-storied in some cases.
Most houses had flat roofs, and some were equipped with private
wells, drainage systems, and bathrooms.
Public structures included granaries, baths, and workshops.
iii. Drainage System
The drainage system in IVC was highly advanced. Streets had
covered drains, with private homes also having their own drains
connected to the city’s main system.
This advanced sewage system indicates the civilization's concern for
sanitation and public health.
4. Economy of the Indus Valley Civilization
i. Agriculture
The IVC economy was primarily agricultural. The people of IVC grew
crops like wheat, barley, cotton, dates, and rice (in some regions).
The plough was used in farming, and irrigation systems may have
been employed, as seen in some of the excavation sites like
Kalibangan and Dholavira.
ii. Trade and Commerce
The IVC had an extensive trade network, both inland and with
foreign civilizations like Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq).
Beads, metals, textiles, and pottery were traded goods.
Barter system was used for trade, and there was no evidence of
coins.
iii. Craftsmanship
Bead-making, pottery, textile production, and metalworking
were significant industries in IVC.
Chanhudaro and Lothal were major centers for bead-making, with
materials like carnelian, lapis lazuli, and faience being commonly
used.
Copper, bronze, and stone tools and implements were produced.
5. Religion and Culture
i. Religion
The IVC people are believed to have practiced polytheism. The most
famous religious symbol is the Pashupati Seal, which is believed to
depict an early form of Shiva.
Animal worship was prevalent, as indicated by the Pashupati Seal
and other depictions of animals.
ii. Art and Sculpture
The IVC produced fine art, including figurines, sculptures, and
pottery.
The Dancing Girl and Priest King statues from Mohenjo-Daro are
famous examples of their bronze and stone sculpture.
Pottery was painted with geometric and animal motifs, and
terracotta figurines of animals and human beings have been found.
iii. Writing System
The IVC had a writing system known as the Indus Script, which has
yet to be fully deciphered.
The script was mainly found on seals, pottery, and copper tablets.
The Pashupati Seal also features the Indus script, suggesting that it
was a key part of their administrative and religious practices.
6. Key Features of Mohenjo-Daro (a prominent IVC site)
i. Great Bath
The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro is one of the most famous
structures, measuring 12 meters by 7 meters.
It was likely used for ritual bathing, reflecting the importance of
cleanliness and ritualistic practices in the civilization.
ii. Granaries
Granaries in Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa were used to store grain,
likely for trade and sustenance during times of scarcity.
The granaries were well-ventilated and raised above the ground to
protect the stored grain.
iii. Advanced Drainage System
Mohenjo-Daro had an advanced drainage and sewage system with
covered drains running alongside the streets.
Private bathrooms were connected to the drainage system in
residential houses.
7. Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization
Reasons for Decline: The cause of the decline of the IVC around
1700 BCE is still uncertain, but it could have been due to factors like:
o Climate change (changes in the river system, drying up of the
Saraswati River).
o Overuse of resources leading to soil degradation.
o Invasions by Indo-Aryans or other external factors.
Abandonment of Cities: Cities like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa
were abandoned, and the civilization gradually declined.
8. Important Artifacts of the IVC
i. Seals
The Indus seals were carved from steatite and feature animals like
elephants, tigers, and buffaloes, as well as human figures.
The Pashupati Seal is the most famous seal, believed to depict an
early form of Shiva in a yogic posture.
ii. Beads
Bead-making was one of the most important crafts, and the IVC
traded beads made from materials like carnelian, steatite, and lapis
lazuli.
iii. Pottery
Painted pottery with geometric and animal motifs was another
notable artifact, and many of the pottery shards found in IVC cities are
well-preserved.
9. Frequently Asked SSC CGL Questions on Indus Valley
Civilization
Question Answer
Which civilization is known for the Great
Mohenjo-Daro
Bath?
What was the primary material used for
Steatite
seals in IVC?
What is the script used by IVC people
Indus Script
called?
Which material was used in bead-making Carnelian, Steatite, Lapis
in IVC? Lazuli
Where were the granaries found in IVC? Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro
What is the name of the seal believed to
Pashupati Seal
depict early Shiva?
What type of economy did the IVC people Barter system,
have? Agricultural economy
Which site is known for its bead-making
Chanhudaro, Lothal
industry?
Conclusion
The Indus Valley Civilization was a highly advanced and organized society, known for its
remarkable urban planning, trade networks, art, and technological achievements. Though the
civilization declined around 1700 BCE, its legacy continues to fascinate historians and
archaeologists.
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