Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization was an ancient civilization that flourished in the Indus River Valley in what is
now modern-day Pakistan and northwest India from around 2500 BC – 1700 BC. It is also known as the
Harappan civilization, named after one of the major cities of the time.

The civilization was discovered in the 1920s and 1930s through archaeological excavations, and it is
considered one of the oldest and most advanced civilizations of the ancient world. Its cities were well-
planned, with sophisticated sewage and drainage systems, and the people of the Indus Valley Civilization
were skilled in metallurgy, crafting of jewelry, pottery, and weaving.

The Indus Valley Civilization had a writing system, known as the Indus script. The cities of the Indus
Valley Civilization were interconnected through trade networks, and they engaged in long-distance trade
with other ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia. Archaeological findings also suggest that the
people of the Indus Valley Civilization had a rich cultural and artistic heritage, with evidence of figurines,
sculptures, and paintings.

However, the civilization declined around 1700 BCE, and the cause of its decline remains a mystery.
Some scholars suggest that changes in climate and environmental factors, such as floods and droughts,
may have contributed to its decline, while others point to internal conflicts or invasions by outside
forces.

Despite its decline, the legacy of the Indus Valley Civilization has continued to influence South Asian
culture and civilization, with some of its cultural and technological practices continuing to be used in
modern times.