When did the Indus River Valley Civilization Exist?
Also known as the Harappan Civilization, the Indus River Valley Civilization flourished from 2600 to 1900 BCE in modern-day Pakistan and Northwest India. It is known as one of the world’s earliest urban societies, notable for its advanced city planning and architecture, along with drainage systems.
The Indus River Valley incorporated major cities such as Harappa, located in Punjab, Pakistan, and was the first site discovered in the civilization; Mohenjo-daro in Sindh, Pakistan; and Dholavira, found in Gujarat, India.
The cities of the Indus River Valley Civilization, which existed during the Bronze Age from 3300 BCE to 13000 BCE, featured grid layouts, standardized fired-brick buildings, and complex public baths, all of which reflected a high degree of social organization and engineering skill, along with main streets running north-south and east-west, intersecting at right angles.
The people of the civilization marked an achievement by creating a unique writing system, which remains undeciphered to this day.
They also engaged in trade with Mesopotamia in the 3rd and early 2nd millennia BCE through maritime routes across the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, as well as produced distinctive seals, pottery, and jewelry.
Unlike other civilizations, the Indus River Valley leaves no trace of kings or temples for prayer and rulership.
Instead, governance was led by communal and local elites.
The civilization’s achievements ran high in sectors of urban planning and early human development.
In 1900 BCE, the civilization started to decline due to long-term climate change and droughts that weakened monsoon rains needed for farming.
The Indus River Valley’s legacy endures as a modern and advanced civilization that grew as a backbone for South Asia.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Did they have a written language?
The Harappan people used a writing system with nearly 500 distinct symbols found mostly on small carved stone seals.
2) How did the civilization end?
It began to decline in 1900 BCE, with large cities gradually abandoned in favor of smaller villages.
3) Where was the Indus River Valley Civilization?
It was in modern-day Pakistan and northwestern India.
Why it matters
The Indus River Valley Civilization laid the foundations for urban planning, technology, and culture in South Asia.
Sources
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