Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilization

Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilization

• Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) is also known as the Harappan Civilization
• It flourished during the Bronze Age

✅ Time Period

• Early phase began around 3300 BCE
• Mature Harappan phase: 2600 BCE – 1900 BCE
• Civilization declined by around 1300 BCE

✅ Geographical Extent

• Spread across a vast area including:
• Northeast Afghanistan
• Pakistan
• Northwest India
• One of the most widespread civilizations of the ancient world

✅ Place among Ancient Civilizations

• One of the three earliest civilizations of the Old World, along with:
• Ancient Egypt
• Mesopotamia
• Considered the largest in geographical spread among the three

✅ Town Planning Features

• Reflects a highly civilized and developed urban life
• Cities were built with systematic planning and fixed patterns
• Emphasis on order, uniformity and functionality

• Important town structures included:
• Well-planned streets
• Closed and covered drainage system
• Great Bath
• Granaries
• Planned residential and public buildings

• These features indicate advanced knowledge of urban planning, sanitation and civic life

✅ Major Harappan Cities

• Harappa – Punjab, Pakistan
• Mohenjo-Daro – Sindh, Pakistan
• Dholavira – Gujarat, India
• Lothal – Gujarat, India
• Surkotada – Gujarat, India
• Kalibangan – Rajasthan, India
• Banawali – Rajasthan, India
• Rakhigarhi – Haryana, India