Indus Valley Civilization (IVC)

• The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) was a Bronze Age civilization in the northwestern regions of South Asia, lasting from 3300 BCE to 1700 BCE.
• It is also known as the Harappan Civilization, after Harappa, the first of its sites to be excavated in the 1920s.
• The IVC thrived in the basins of the Indus River and the Ghaggar-Hakra River, a region now part of Pakistan and northwestern India.
• At its peak, the IVC may have had a population of over five million.
• It was contemporary with other early civilizations such as Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Geographic Extent

• The IVC covered an area of approximately 1.25 million square kilometers.
• Its settlements extended as far west as Balochistan, as far north as Shortugai in Afghanistan, as far east as Alamgirpur in Uttar Pradesh, India, and as far south as Daimabad in Maharashtra, India.
• Major urban centers included Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Dholavira, and Lothal.

Key Features

• The IVC is known for its sophisticated urban planning, featuring well-laid-out cities with grid patterns.
• Houses were often made of baked bricks and had private wells and bathrooms.
• Advanced drainage and sanitation systems were present, with covered drains running along the streets.
• Granaries, such as the Great Granary at Mohenjo-daro, suggest a well-organized system of food storage and distribution.
• Citadel structures were built on raised platforms which likely served as administrative or ceremonial centers.

Economy and Trade

• The IVC economy was primarily based on agriculture, with wheat, barley, cotton, and sesame being major crops.
• Evidence of domesticated animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs has been found.
• Standardized weights and measures indicate a developed system of trade and commerce.
• The IVC engaged in extensive trade with Mesopotamia, Central Asia, and other regions, with goods such as carnelian, lapis lazuli, and copper being exchanged for textiles and other products.
• Seals were used to mark goods which suggest private ownership and trade.

Artifacts and Art

• Seals are among the most distinctive artifacts of the IVC, typically made of steatite and featuring animal motifs and inscriptions.
• The "Pashupati Seal" depicts a seated figure surrounded by animals, often interpreted as a proto-Shiva figure.
• Pottery was abundant, often decorated with geometric patterns and depictions of plants and animals.
• Terracotta figurines of women, often adorned with jewelry, are common finds.
• Bronze sculptures, such as the "Dancing Girl" from Mohenjo-daro, showcase the artistic skills of the IVC people.

Writing System

• The Indus script is not yet deciphered, which makes it difficult to understand many aspects of the IVC.
• The script consists of around 400 distinct symbols displayed on seals, pottery, and other objects.
• It is believed the script was used for administrative and commercial purposes.

Decline and Disappearance

• The reasons for the decline of the IVC are still debated among historians and archaeologists.
• Theories include climate change, such as a prolonged drought or changes in river courses.
• Environmental degradation due to deforestation is another possibility.
• Invasion by Indo-Aryans has been suggested, but archaeological evidence is limited, and the theory is disputed.
• A combination of factors may have contributed to the decline, leading to the gradual abandonment of urban centers.
• By 1700 BCE, the IVC had largely disappeared, with its people migrating to other regions or adopting new lifestyles.