What is Indus Vally Civilization? Discuss its various characteristics features

The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), also known as the Harappan Civilization, was an ancient urban civilization that flourished in the fertile plains of the Indus River and its tributaries in present-day Pakistan and northwest India.

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It emerged around 3300 BCE and thrived until around 1300 BCE, making it one of the world’s earliest urban societies.

Key Characteristics of the Indus Valley Civilization:

1. Urban Planning: Harappan cities were meticulously planned with grid-like street layouts, advanced drainage systems, and well-organized residential and commercial areas. Cities like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa exhibited impressive town planning, with sophisticated sewage and sanitation systems.
2. Trade and Economy: The civilization engaged in long-distance trade, evidenced by the presence of seals, pottery, and artifacts found in Mesopotamia, Central Asia, and other regions. They traded in goods like cotton, metals, beads, and pottery.
3. Technological Advancements: The Indus people were skilled in metallurgy, pottery-making, and had a writing system, although the script remains undeciphered. Their standardized weights and measures suggest a centralized authority regulating trade and commerce.
4. Arts and Crafts: Harappan art included intricate seals made of steatite with animal motifs and script, pottery with distinct designs and shapes, terracotta figurines, and jewelry made of gold, silver, and semi-precious stones.
5. Religion and Society: The religious practices of the Indus Valley Civilization are not fully understood. However, artifacts like the famous “Priest-King” sculpture and the presence of bathing platforms in citadels suggest the presence of a priestly or ruling class.
6. Decline and Disappearance: The reasons for the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization remain speculative and could include environmental factors like climate change, floods, or shifts in river courses. There’s evidence of a gradual decline rather than a sudden collapse, with the civilization eventually fading away by 1300 BCE.

The Indus Valley Civilization remains enigmatic due to the undeciphered script, which limits our understanding of its language, history, and cultural practices. However, its advanced urban planning, technological achievements, and trade networks indicate a sophisticated and influential ancient civilization that made significant contributions to early human history.