Questions and Answers
What was a distinctive feature of the urban planning of the Indus Valley cities?
Which of the following was a primary economic activity in the Indus Valley Civilization?
What is known about the writing system of the Indus Valley Civilization?
Which purpose did large public baths, such as the Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro, primarily serve?
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What factors are suggested to have contributed to the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization?
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In terms of artistry, what was a common theme depicted in the crafts of the Indus Valley people?
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What possible influence did the Indus Valley Civilization have on later Indian cultures?
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What indicates the religious beliefs of the Indus Valley Civilization?
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Study Notes
Indus Valley Civilization Overview
- Flourished around 2500 BCE to 1900 BCE in northwestern South Asia, mainly in modern-day Pakistan and northwest India.
- Known as one of the earliest urban cultures with advanced social organization and architecture.
Key Features of the Indus Valley Civilization
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Urban Planning:
- Cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro featured a grid layout and impressive drainage systems.
- Standardized fired-brick buildings were prevalent, with streets oriented north-south and east-west.
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Architecture:
- Significant structures include large public baths, such as the Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro, granaries, and warehouses.
- Buildings were constructed using uniform-sized baked bricks.
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Economy:
- Primarily agrarian, focusing on crops like wheat, barley, and cotton.
- Engaged in trade with regions like Mesopotamia, exchanging goods such as beads, metals, and textiles.
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Writing System:
- An undeciphered script consisting of various symbols found on seals and pottery.
- The script's decipherment remains elusive, limiting insights into their social structure and beliefs.
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Art and Craftsmanship:
- Artisans were skilled in making intricate jewelry, pottery, and seals, often depicting animals and human figures.
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Religion and Culture:
- Limited understanding of religious practices; some seals indicate worship of fertility and nature deities.
- Potential links to early forms of Hinduism through symbols that resemble Hindu iconography.
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Decline:
- Reasons for the civilization's decline around 1900 BCE are debated, with possible factors including climate change, resource depletion, river shifts, and invasions.
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Legacy:
- Established foundational elements for later Indian civilizations, influencing urban planning and social organization.
- Important for studying the development of early human societies and urbanization in South Asia.
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Description
Explore the fascinating features of the Indus Valley Civilization, which thrived between 2500 BCE and 1900 BCE. This quiz covers aspects such as urban planning, architecture, economy, and writing systems. Test your knowledge about one of the earliest urban cultures in South Asia.
