Indus Valley Civilization Facts

Introduction

Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) was considered to be one of the greatest civilisations of ancient India. This civilisation showed some economic, religious, geographical, social, as well as agricultural development. It represented the importance of some cities such as Mohenjodaro, Dholavira, and Kalibangan. This civilisation showed the development of many art forms and facts.

Major Cities of Indus Valley Civilisation

The IVC represented some cities and they are presented below −

City	State/Country	Fact about the cities
Mohenjodaro	Sindh Province, Pakistan	It was situated on the Indus river’s right bank
Kalibangan	Rajasthan	Bank of the Ghaggar river
Chanhudaro	Sindh Province, Pakistan	Left bank of river Indus
Lothal	Gujarat	The head of Gulf of Cambay
Surkotada	Gujarat	The head of Rann of Kutch
Dholavira	Gujarat	Kutch district

Facts About Indus Valley Civilization

Indus Valley Civilization was called the largest civilisation in the world and this civilisation was built on the banks of various rivers. The name was given because the first establishment of this civilisation was taken place at the river Indus. Its other name was the Indus-Saraswati Civilization based on the rivers. This was called the Harappan Civilisation because it was discovered first in the Harappa city.

Location and Size

The area of IVC was 1,260,000 sq. km and it was spread over Afghanistan, Pakistan, and modern India. It was observed that there were 1056 cities within the civilisation, of which, 96 have been excavated.

The following settlements include main centers such as

• Arappa

• Mohenjo-Daro

• Holavira

• Ganeriwala in Cholistan and

• Rakhigarhi

The Indus Valley Civilization was extended from East to West as well as North to South. It was situated from Ghaggar-Hakra Valley in the east to the Makran coast as well as Balochistan in the West. Another part is from Afghanistan in the Northeastern to Daimabad in Maharashtra in the South.

Population

IVC showed more than 5 million populations and most of them were traders as well as artisans. People of that civilization were skilful in handicrafts and metallurgy. Houses were constructed with baked bricks, flat roofs, private drinking well, and private bathrooms, etc. The civilization extended to 1500 km from all sides and boundaries.

The sites of Indus Valley have been traced in myriad locations like Delhi, Nepal, Afghanistan, and a few others. However, from c. 1900–c. 1500 BCE, the Indus Valley has witnessed a downfall for its mysterious reasons.

The start of 20th Century CE led to the beginning of Aryan invasion. Experts supposedly believe that the descending signs of the valley can be due to several factors like shift in the climate, the draining Saraswati river, overpopulation, plummet in the trading with Egypt and Mesopotamia, etc.

Drainage System

IVC showed the advanced system for sanitation and the people of this civilisation was aware of the water channelling. It was observed that the Romans also built the channel system much later. Therefore, it was called that they had an advanced system for managing water and underground drainage seen in this era.

Planning of towns

This civilisation showed the first planned cities in the world and they followed the grid patterns. Urban planning was older than the Miletus Hippodamus period that was called the father of European urban planning.

The cities, as well as the towns, were of the rectangular grid pattern. The principal street was directed toward North-South whereas the second was directed towards the East-West direction. This civilisation presented standard towns, as well as the streets, that were intersected at the right angles.

Religious Specifics

There was a mother goddess and she was Matridevi or Shakti. There was the existence of the worship of nature as well as yoni.

Trees such as Peepal were worshipped in the IVC and there was the presentation of Fite, called Havan Kund. The animals also had a lord and he was Pashupati Mahadeva. The Unicorn, as well as Ox, was worshipped in this civilisation.

Economic Facts

This civilisation was mostly based on agriculture but this period flourished through commerce and trade. Meluhha was a place which was mentioned by the Mesopotamians in the Middle Bronze Age.

The people of this place were the trading partners of the Mesopotamians and they mainly imported ebony and timber. Lothal showed the presence of a dockyard and there was a huge amount of export as well as import. Cotton was hugely produced in that period and the measuring unit was 16.

Arts and Crafts

The arts as well as crafts were a sophisticated concept during this era. It witnessed great achievement in the field of arts as well as values the techniques. They used terracotta, bronze, and copper as well as other metals. They had expertise in making beads and it was considered to be an essential discovery. They mentioned the importance of dance for entertainment.

Architecture

The city of Harappa applied the most advanced technology but it was presented by the Romans 2800 years later. There was the presence of 6 granaries as well as 2 rows and they were made on a high platform so that flood could not touch them.

This city witnessed water reservoirs and there were 16 water reservoirs at Dholavira. There was the presence of houses and bathrooms attached to them. The IVC showed the system of storing rainwater as well as complex water management systems.

Conclusion

IVC showed the existence of the two most important cities such as Mohenjodaro and Harappa. There was the existence of some important port cities such as Sutkagendor, Balakot, Lothal, Allahdino, and Kuntasi. The people of this civilization were acquainted with the application of wool as well as cotton. There was the presentation of the important rivers such as the Indus, Ghaggar, Saraswati, Gulf of Cambay, and Rann of Kutch.

FAQs

Qns 1. Who was the first researcher of the Indus valley civilization?

Ans. Sir John Marshall was referred to as the first researcher of IVC and it was spread from 2500 – 1750 BC.

Qns 2. What are the major cities of IVC?

Ans. The most important cities of this civilisation were Mohenjodaro, Kalibangan, Chanhudaro, Lothal, Surkotada, Banawali, and Dholavira. These cities represented the territory of this civilisation as well as various development of this period.