QUESTION : Write a detailed note on the Indus River Civilization and describe main

features of the civilization particularly The Urban Planning in Mohan Jo Daro ?

THE INDUS RIVER CIVILIZATION :

The Indus River Valley Civilization, commonly known as the Harappan Civilization, lasted from
3300 to 1300 BCE and spanned modern-day northeast Afghanistan through Pakistan and
northwest India.

Standardized weights and measures, seal carving, and metallurgy using copper, bronze, lead, and
tin were all important innovations of this civilization.

The Indus Valley Civilization is often separated into three phases:

 The Early Harappan Phase (3300 to 2600 BCE)

 The Mature Harappan Phase from (2600 to 1900 BCE)
 The Late Harappan Phase from (1900 to 1300 BCE)

It thrived between 2600 and 1900 BCE in the Indus River Valley, which is today
Pakistan and northwest India. Well-planned cities, excellent drainage systems, and a
profound grasp of urban planning characterized the civilization.

The Indus River Civilization's inhabitants were proficient in agriculture, trade, and
craftsmanship. They used standardized weights and measurements, indicating a well-
organized economy. Cities like Mohen-jo-daro and Harappa included amazing
constructions like granaries, public baths, and even an advanced sewage system.

The Indus River Civilization's writing system, known as the Indus script, remains
untranslated, limiting our comprehension of their language and culture. However,
archaeological discoveries show a culture that placed a high value on commerce, as
indicated by the discovery of seals and artefacts from distant places.

Despite its achievements, the Indus River Civilization's demise remains a mystery. Some
ideas offer natural influences, such as river route alterations or climatic fluctuations,
while others predict invasion or internal strife. The precise causes of its fall are still being
discussed by historians and archaeologists.

Overall, the Indus River civilization was an extraordinary ancient civilization that left a rich
cultural heritage. Its innovative infrastructure, urban design, and economic systems were far
ahead of their time, making it a crucial chapter in human history.
 MAIN FEATURES OF CIVILIZATION;
 Mohenjo-Daro is well-known for its sophisticated urban design and layout. The city was
split into two sections: the Citadel and the Lower City. The city streets were laid up in a
grid arrangement, with routes running north-south and east-west. This grid pattern
denotes advanced urban planning and organisation.
 Mohenjo-Daro's streets were broad and well-planned.
 Mohenjo-Daro had a sophisticated underground drainage system with linked brick-lined
pipes that carried wastewater away from residential areas.
 Some constructions in Mohenjo-Daro are thought to have been multi-story structures,
indicating advanced construction skills and architectural inventiveness for the time.
 It's important to note that despite these impressive urban planning features, much about
the Indus Valley Civilization, including the specifics of its governance, writing system
(which remains undeciphered), and ultimate decline, remains a subject of ongoing
research and debate among archaeologists and historians. Nonetheless, the cities of the
Indus Valley, including Mohenjo-Daro, stand as remarkable examples of early urban
planning and engineering achievements