Origin of the Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization, also referred to as the Harappan Civilization, represents the first urban culture of India.

• It marked the advent of urbanization, distinguished by cities that served as centers of power and secondary economic activities like trade, crafts, and arts.
• These settlements signified the emergence of a sophisticated way of life, distinct from rural villages.
• The civilization spanned a vast area, covering parts of modern-day northwestern India and Pakistan.
• The site of Harappa was excavated in 1920 by Daya Ram Sahni, while Mohenjo-daro was unearthed by Rakhaldas Banerjee in 1921.
• Sir John Marshall recognized the similarities in artifacts from these sites, and in 1924, he announced the discovery of the oldest civilization in the Indian subcontinent.
• Post-1947, Indian archaeologists uncovered several significant sites, such as Lothal, Surkotada, and Dholavira in Gujarat; Kalibangan in Rajasthan; and Banawali and Rakhigarhi in Haryana.

Dating of Indus Valley Civilization

The highest concentration of Harappan sites, approximately 174, has been found in Pakistan’s Cholistan region near the old Ghaggar-Hakra riverbed.

• Scholars often use the term “Harappan Civilization” in reference to its first discovery at Harappa.
• Despite extensive research, the civilization remains partially enigmatic, as the Indus script has yet to be deciphered.

Phases of the Indus Valley Civilization

• Early Harappan (3300–2600 BCE):
  • Major sites: Harappa, Kot Diji, and Amri.
  • Features: Initiation of trade networks, and craft specialization, fortifications, grid planning, the
• Transitional Phase:
  • Major sites: Kunal, Dholavira, Harappa.
  • Features: Organized irrigation systems, enhanced craft specialization, and diverse pottery forms.
• Mature Harappan (2600–1800 BCE):
  • Major sites: Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Kalibangan, Dholavira.
  • Features: Urbanization at its peak, emergence of writing, standardized artifacts, and long-distance trade.
• Late Harappan (Post 1800–1300 BCE):
  • Major sites: Harappa (Cemetery H), Siswal, Rojdi, and Rangpur.
  • Features: Site abandonment, decline in urban centers and the rise of pastoralism.

Geographical Extent of the  Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization covered a vast area, including parts of modern-day Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, western Uttar Pradesh, and Pakistan.

• The region was characterized by a predominantly dry climate with scant rainfall.
• However, fertile alluvial plains dominated areas like Punjab and Sind, benefiting from the Indus River system.

Key Sites of the  Indus Valley Civilization

• Balochistan:
  • Settlements in craggy hills and valleys supported agriculture.
  • Routes facilitated the transport of copper, lead, lapis lazuli, and turquoise to Indus cities.
• Manda (Jammu and Kashmir): Northernmost site of the civilization.
• Shortughai (Afghanistan): Provided access to lapis lazuli from Badakshan and tin and gold from Central Asia.
• Harappa (Western Punjab, Pakistan): One of the earliest excavated sites.
• Mohenjo-daro and Chanhudaro (Sindh): Centers of urbanization and trade.
• Kalibangan (Rajasthan): Known for its fire altars and plowed fields.
• Lothal and Dholavira (Gujarat):
  • Lothal: A major port for trade with the Persian Gulf and Mesopotamia.
  • Dholavira: Known for advanced urban planning and water conservation systems.
• Banawali and Rakhigarhi (Haryana): Examples of settlement expansion.
• Daimabad (Maharashtra): Southernmost urban site.
• Sutkagendor (Makran Coast): The westernmost site near the Pakistan-Iran border.
• Alamgirpur (Western Uttar Pradesh): Easternmost limit of the civilization.

Economic and Cultural Features  of the Indus Valley Civilization

Harappa, Kalibangan, and Mohenjo-daro formed the heartland of the civilization with uniform features such as soil type, climate, and subsistence patterns.

• The flat terrain relied on monsoons and Himalayan rivers for water supply, fostering an agro-pastoral economy.
• The Makran coast hosted important sites like Sutkagendor and Sotka-Koh, vital for maritime trade with Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf.
• The large area between the Rann of Kutch and the Gulf of Cambay witnessed significant settlements like Dholavira and Lothal.

Trade and Resources of the Indus Valley Civilization

Balochistan served as a conduit for the transport of resources like copper, lead, lapis lazuli, and turquoise.

• Shortughai provided access to precious materials from Badakshan and Central Asia.
• Lothal’s port facilitated sea trade, connecting the Indus civilization to distant regions.
• This comprehensive account underscores the remarkable geographical reach, urban planning, and cultural sophistication of the Indus Valley Civilization.