Indus Valley Civilization (2600 BCE – 1900 BCE)
Delhi Police Exam History Section
1. Introduction
The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) — also known as the Harappan Civilization — was one of the world's earliest urban civilizations, flourishing along the Indus River and its tributaries.
It developed around 2600 BCE, continued till about 1900 BCE, and covered present-day Pakistan, northwestern India, and parts of Afghanistan.
It was contemporary with Mesopotamia and Egypt, making it a major cradle of ancient human civilization.
2. Major Sites and Discoveries
| Site | Modern Location | Important Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Harappa | Punjab (Pakistan) | Granary, clay seals, cemeteries |
| Mohenjo-Daro | Sindh (Pakistan) | Great Bath, bronze dancing girl, bearded priest |
| Dholavira | Gujarat (India) | Water reservoirs, signboard with Harappan script |
| Lothal | Gujarat (India) | Dockyard, fire altars, bead-making factory |
| Kalibangan | Rajasthan (India) | Ploughed field, fire altars |
| Banawali | Haryana (India) | Barley grains, fortification |
| Chanhudaro | Sindh (Pakistan) | Bead making, shell and bone work |
3. Town Planning & Architecture
The cities followed a grid system — streets cut each other at right angles.
Houses were made of baked bricks — a unique feature for that time.
Each house had private wells, bathrooms, and underground drainage.
The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro shows advanced water management and ritual bathing practices.
Granaries found at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro indicate organized storage and trade systems.
4. Economy
Agriculture-based economy with trade and crafts
Crops: Wheat, barley, sesame, mustard, and cotton
Domesticated animals: Oxen, buffalo, goats, and sheep
Internal and external trade with Mesopotamia
Uniform decimal system for weights & measures
5. Religion & Society
Worship of Mother Goddess, Proto-Shiva (Pashupati)
Sacred animals: Bull, unicorn
Use of fire altars and fertility rituals
Absence of large temples
Status of women: Possibly respected
Religion seemed more nature and fertility-based
6. Art, Craft, and Script
Artifacts: Terracotta figurines, seals, pottery, jewelry
Bronze Dancing Girl - symbol of high artistic skill
Bearded Priest statue - advanced stone carving
Harappan script: Pictographic and undeciphered
Materials: Gold, silver, copper, bronze, terracotta
7. Decline of Civilization
Various theories exist for the decline around 1900 BCE:
Environmental changes — floods, droughts, shifting rivers.
Decline in trade and urban life.
Aryan invasion theory (older view, less accepted now).
Most scholars believe it was a gradual decline due to ecological reasons.
8. Legacy of the Indus Valley Civilization
Laid the foundation for urban culture in India.
Influenced later town planning and sanitation concepts.
Showed early forms of organization, equality, and craft specialization.
Quick Recap
Period: 2600–1900 BCE
Discovered by: R.D. Banerjee & Daya Ram Sahni
Location: Indus River Basin (Pakistan & NW India)
Script: Undeciphered pictographic
Economy: Agriculture, Trade, Craft
Major Sites: Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Dholavira, Lothal
Architecture: Planned cities, drainage, baked bricks
Religion: Nature worship, Proto-Shiva, Mother Goddess
Sample Questions
Which site of the Indus Valley Civilization is known for its dockyard?
Options: (a) Mohenjo-Daro (b) Lothal (c) Harappa (d) Dholavira
View Answer
B. Lothal
The script of the Indus Valley Civilization was:
Options: (a) Alphabetical (b) Pictographic (c) Cuneiform (d) Hieroglyphic
View Answer
B. Pictographic
The Great Bath has been found at:
Options: (a) Harappa (b) Kalibangan (c) Mohenjo-Daro (d) Dholavira
View Answer
C. Mohenjo-Daro
Which of the following crops was NOT known to the Harappans?
Options: (a) Wheat (b) Barley (c) Cotton (d) Rice
View Answer
D. Rice
Previous Year Questions (Delhi Police / SSC)
The Great Bath of the Indus Valley Civilization is located at:
Year: SSC CGL 2018
View Answer
Mohenjo-Daro
Who discovered the Harappan site of Mohenjo-Daro?
Year: SSC CHSL 2017
View Answer
R.D. Banerjee
The Indus Valley Civilization people were familiar with the use of:
Year: SSC CPO 2019
View Answer
Copper, bronze, silver, gold
The script of the Indus Valley Civilization was:
Year: Delhi Police Constable 2020
View Answer
Pictographic
Which metal was not known to the people of the Indus Valley Civilization?
Year: SSC GD 2021
View Answer
Iron
You've completed Indus Valley Civilization Concepts!
Courage Tip: Focus on the major sites and their unique features, as these are frequently tested. Remember that Mohenjo-Daro had the Great Bath, Lothal had the dockyard, and Dholavira had water reservoirs. The Harappan script remains undeciphered, and they didn't use iron. Practice identifying these key facts for exam success.
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