Indus Valley Civilization - Harappa Quiz

Indus Valley Civilization - Harappa

The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), also known as the Harappan civilization, was a Bronze Age urban culture that flourished from approximately 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE. Although it is often viewed as having its core areas in present-day Pakistan and northwestern India, this ancient society extended westward into modern Iran and eastward across the entire northern half of the Indian subcontinent. One of the most prominent cities of this civilization was Harappa, located in present-day Punjab, Pakistan.

Location and Discovery

Harappa is situated on the eastern side of the Ravi River, which flows through the fertile alluvial plains of the Kala Chitta Range in the Sutlej basin. Initially inhabited around 4000 BCE by people who were simple agriculturalists, Harappa became one of the most important cities of the IVC when the first urban phase took place between 2600 and 1900 BCE. The city was discovered in 1856 when British engineers working on the railway project unearthed some broken pottery sherds. Further excavations followed, with Sir John Hubert Marshall leading major digs starting in 1920 until his death in 1936.

Features and Characteristics

Harappa's layout is grid-like, organized along two main streets running parallel to each other, with narrow lanes branching off them. This well-planned city had water reservoirs, public baths, and a bazaar area, indicating a sophisticated society with centralized planning and administration. The planning of Harappa suggests a systemic approach to urban design that may have been influenced by environmental factors. The houses in Harappa were mostly made of mud bricks, making up multi-roomed structures.

There are indications that Harappa may have been on a trade route connecting the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, based on the discovery of obsidian found in the site, which originated from regions far away like Iran and Turkey. However, there is still debate among scholars regarding whether Harappa was primarily a trading center or if it relied more on agriculture and craftsmen.

Despite significant progress in understanding the layout and features of Harappa, much remains undiscovered, such as what happened to the population after the end of the urban phase. Future archaeological work will continue to shed light on this fascinating ancient civilization and its cities like Harappa.