Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa

The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) is one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world.
It is also referred to as the Harappan Civilization, named after the site Harappa.
Harappa was the first site of the Indus Valley Civilization, discovered in 1921 by Daya Ram Sahni.
Mohenjo-Daro was discovered a year later, in 1922, by R.D. Banerjee.
Both cities are located in present-day Pakistan – Harappa in Punjab and Mohenjo-Daro in Sindh.
The two cities are examples of planned urban settlements with exceptional town planning.
The layout of both cities followed a grid pattern, with streets crossing each other at right angles.
Mohenjo-Daro means "Mound of the Dead" in Sindhi.
The cities were divided into two parts: the Citadel (upper part) and the Lower Town (residential area).
The Citadel housed important structures like the Great Bath and Granaries.
The Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro is a large, rectangular water structure likely used for ritual bathing.
The Great Granary at Harappa was used for storing food grains.
Both cities had an advanced drainage system with covered drains and connected sewerage lines.
Houses were constructed using baked bricks of standardized sizes.
Each house had bathrooms and wells for water supply, showing the importance of sanitation.
The Harappans were skilled in metallurgy, using copper, bronze, gold, and silver.
Evidence of crafts such as pottery, bead-making, and seal production has been found.
The famous "Dancing Girl" statue, a bronze figurine, was discovered at Mohenjo-Daro.
The "Priest-King" statue, made of steatite, represents the artistic excellence of the Harappans.
Harappan seals, often made of steatite, depict animals, such as the unicorn, bull, and tiger.
The script used by the Harappans remains undeciphered and consists of pictographic symbols.
Evidence of cotton cultivation at Harappa makes the Harappans the earliest users of cotton.
The economy of the Harappan Civilization relied on agriculture and trade.
Main crops included wheat, barley, sesame, and peas.
Both cities engaged in long-distance trade with regions like Mesopotamia, Persia, and Oman.
The dockyard at Lothal in Gujarat highlights the importance of maritime trade.
The Harappans worshipped a Mother Goddess, representing fertility and nature.
Seals depicting Pashupati (proto-Shiva) suggest an early form of Shaivism.
Burial practices in both cities indicate a belief in life after death, with grave goods buried alongside bodies.
The fire altars discovered at Kalibangan suggest the performance of ritualistic ceremonies.
Both Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa lacked evidence of temples or palaces, indicating an egalitarian society.
Artifacts like toys, terracotta figurines, and utensils indicate a rich cultural life.
Weights and measures used in trade were standardized, showing organized commerce.
The cities were built near rivers – Harappa on the Ravi River and Mohenjo-Daro on the Indus River.
Harappan pottery includes red and black ware with geometric designs.
The cities lacked evidence of large-scale warfare, suggesting a peaceful society.
Many scholars believe that flooding, climate change, deforestation, and Aryan invasion led to the decline of these cities.
Rakhigarhi is now considered one of the largest Harappan sites, surpassing Mohenjo-Daro.
The Harappans used bullock carts and boats for transportation.
Domestic animals like cattle, sheep, goats, and buffaloes were reared for food and agriculture.
Excavations at Harappa revealed granaries suggesting surplus food production.
The Harappans had knowledge of weights, measures, geometry, and engineering.
The cities were abandoned around 1900 BCE, marking the end of the urban Harappan phase.
Both Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa remain key sites for understanding urban planning and early civilization.
The Indus Valley Civilization's achievements in architecture, trade, art, and urbanization greatly influenced later cultures.