Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1300 BCE)

The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), also known as the Harappan Civilization, was the earliest urban culture of the Indian subcontinent. It developed in the northwestern regions of South Asia and was contemporary with Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt. It represents the first phase of urbanisation in Indian history.

1. Origin and Discovery

• Formally announced in 1924 by Sir John Marshall.
• Harappa excavated by Daya Ram Sahni (1920).
• Mohenjo-daro excavated by R.D. Banerjee (1921).
• Named Harappan Civilization as Harappa was first excavated.
• Several sites later found along Ghaggar-Hakra river system.

2. Chronology

• Early Harappan: 3300–2600 BCE
• Mature Harappan: 2600–1900 BCE
• Late Harappan: 1900–1300 BCE

3. Geographical Extent

• West – Sutkagendor (Baluchistan)
• East – Alamgirpur (Uttar Pradesh)
• North – Manda (Jammu)
• South – Daimabad (Maharashtra)

It covered nearly 1.3 million square kilometers, making it larger than Egypt and Mesopotamia.

4. Major Sites and Features

• Harappa – Granary, drainage system
• Mohenjo-daro – Great Bath, Dancing Girl, Priest-King
• Dholavira – Water reservoirs, stone construction
• Lothal – Dockyard, bead factory
• Kalibangan – Fire altars, ploughed field
• Rakhigarhi – Largest Indian site

5. Town Planning

• Grid pattern layout
• Streets intersect at right angles
• Citadel and Lower town division
• Standard brick ratio (1:2:4)
• Covered drainage system
• Individual wells and bathrooms

6. Economic Life

Agriculture

• Wheat and barley main crops
• Evidence of rice at Lothal
• Flood-based farming
• Wooden plough evidence at Kalibangan

Animal Domestication

• Ox, buffalo, goat, sheep, camel
• Horse evidence doubtful

Metallurgy

• Copper and bronze tools
• Gold and silver ornaments
• Metal casting at Daimabad

Trade

• Internal trade across cities
• External trade with Mesopotamia (Meluha)
• Standardized weights and seals

7. Social Structure

• No clear monarchy evidence
• Social differentiation seen in house sizes
• Merchants and artisans important groups

8. Religion

• Mother Goddess worship
• Pashupati seal (proto-Shiva)
• Tree worship (Peepal)
• No monumental temples discovered

9. Art and Craft

• Bronze Dancing Girl
• Priest-King sculpture
• Terracotta figurines
• Faience beads
• Red and black painted pottery

10. Script

• Undeciphered script
• 400–600 symbols
• Found mainly on seals
• Written right to left

11. Causes of Decline

• Climate change
• River course shifts
• Floods
• Decline in trade
• Gradual ruralisation

12. Comparison with Other Civilizations

UPSC Mains Themes

• Urban planning significance
• Trade and economic organization
• Causes of decline
• Continuity of Indian civilization

Related Topics

• Vedic Age
• Mauryan Empire