Ancient Indian History
Indus Valley Civilisation
Bronze Age civilisation in South Asia
Overview
The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), also known as the Indus Civilisation, was a Bronze Age civilisation in the northwestern regions of South Asia, lasting from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE, and in its mature form from 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE. Together with ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China, it was one of the four centres of the ancient world; it was geographically larger than ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia combined. It spanned much of Pakistan, northwestern India, and northeast Afghanistan. The civilisation flourished in the alluvial plain of the Indus River and along a system of perennial monsoon-fed rivers that once coursed in the vicinity of the Ghaggar-Hakra, a seasonal river in northwest India and eastern Pakistan.
Source: Wikipedia — Indus Valley Civilisation (CC BY-SA)
Key concepts
How Indus Valley Civilisation connects to the ideas, people and events around it.
Harappa
included siteHarappa was one of the major urban centers of the Indus Valley Civilisation, located in present‑day Punjab, Pakistan. Excavations have revealed a fortified citadel and extensive granaries.
Mohenjo-daro
included siteMohenjo-daro is a UNESCO World Heritage site that served as a principal city of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Its Great Bath demonstrates sophisticated public water management.
Indus script
had writingThe Indus script consists of short sequences of symbols found on seals and pottery from the Indus Valley Civilisation. Over 4,000 distinct signs have been catalogued, but the script remains undeciphered.
Mehrgarh
preceded byMehrgarh is a Neolithic settlement in present‑day Balochistan that predates the Indus Valley Civilisation by several millennia. It provides evidence of early agriculture and domesticated animals in the region.
Bronze Age
was part ofThe Bronze Age marks the period when societies began alloying copper with tin to produce bronze tools and weapons. The Indus Valley Civilisation emerged during this technological era.
Saraswati River (mythical)
located nearThe Saraswati River is a hypothesized ancient river that may have flowed through the Indus Valley region during the civilization's height. Geological studies suggest a now‑dry channel aligning with some settlement locations.
Mesopotamian trade
engaged inArchaeological finds of Indus seals in Mesopotamia indicate long‑distance trade between the two regions. Commodities such as copper, carnelian, and textiles were exchanged.
Urban planning
exhibitedIndus cities featured grid‑like streets, standardized brick sizes, and sophisticated drainage systems. These elements reflect advanced municipal engineering for the time.
Revise Indus Valley Civilisation
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Questions about Indus Valley Civilisation
What is Indus Valley Civilisation?
The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), also known as the Indus Civilisation, was a Bronze Age civilisation in the northwestern regions of South Asia, lasting from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE, and in its mature form from 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE. Together with ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China, it was one of the four centres of the ancient world; it was geographically larger than ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia combined.
What are the key concepts related to Indus Valley Civilisation?
The main concepts connected to Indus Valley Civilisation include Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Indus script, Mehrgarh, Bronze Age, Saraswati River (mythical), Mesopotamian trade, Urban planning. Each is linked on the map above with its own summary.
Which exams cover Indus Valley Civilisation?
Indus Valley Civilisation is part of Ancient Indian History, which appears in the syllabus of UPSC CSE, UPSC CAPF, NDA, CDS, AFCAT, SSC CGL and 48 more exams.