What Mohenjodaro reveals about the Indus Valley civilization's advanced city?

This study is going to cover one of the most interesting , debatable and important historical event. The Indus Valley Civilization , also known as the Harappan Civilization, was one of the oldest and most advanced civilizations in human history. It thrived around the Indus River region, primarily in modern-day Pakistan and northwest India, during the Bronze Age, which lasted from 3300 to 1300 BCE. Despite its significance, much about this civilization remains unknown, notably because to the undeciphered writing, but archeological discoveries shed light on its society, economy, urban design, and culture. there are various sources to verify the details given here.

1. Geography and Urban centres in Indus Valley Civilization

The civilization prospered in the fertile floodplain of the Indus River, which supported extensive settlements. The IVC’s main urban centers were Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, but other sites such as Dholavira, Kalibangan, and Lothal have also been discovered. These cities were well-planned, with impressive technical and architectural achievements.

Mohenjo-daro and Harappa are regarded as two of the most advanced urban centers of their era. Both cities had grid-based layouts, with streets connecting at right angles, indicating deliberate urban design.
Cities had coordinated water supply, drainage, and advanced sanitation. Almost every home had private wells and toilets with drains that connected to the municipal sewage system.

2. Urban planning and Architectural features in Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization’s sophisticated urban planning is demonstrated by Mohenjo-Daro. The city’s well-planned grid layout, with streets meeting at right angles, demonstrated a methodical commitment to urban planning. A profound understanding of building materials and procedures is demonstrated by the use of uniform burnt bricks in construction.
Furthermore, the existence of clearly demarcated public and residential areas shows that the requirements of the community have been carefully considered. The layout made it easier to move around and obtain necessary facilities, indicating that the residents appreciated both practicality and beauty in their city.

The design of Mohenjo-Daro exhibits meticulous preparation, well-organized building, and an emphasis on functionality. The following are the main characteristics of Mohenjo-Daro’s urban planning:

Grid Layout: The city was constructed on a grid layout, meaning that streets meet at right angles and run in straight lines. For its period, this type of planned layout is impressive and demonstrates a high degree of urban expertise.

Housing and Structures: Baked bricks of uniform size were used to create the buildings. Simple single-room homes and larger multi-room constructions with individual baths and wells were among the residential buildings.

The Great Bath (Mohenjo-Daro): The Great Bath, a massive rectangular pool that is 12 meters by 7 meters and encircled by a number of rooms, is one of the most well-known buildings in Mohenjo-Daro. Ritual bathing, whether as a religious or cultural practice, is thought to have taken place in the Great Bath. The city’s emphasis on water management is shown by the structure’s sophisticated watertight engineering, which uses non-porous bricks.

Granaries: Large granaries discovered in towns such as Harappa suggest a well-organized food storage system and possibly centralized control over grain distribution.

3. Society and cultural features of Civilization

The social and cultural components of the IVC are less well understood due to a paucity of written records, but archeological evidence can help make some inferences.
Social Stratification: Evidence points to a generally equal society with a clear division of labor. Larger dwellings, particularly in places like Mohenjo-Daro, may suggest a social hierarchy.
Religion: Although the Harappans’ precise religious customs are still unclear, a number of artifacts indicate that religion was significant to their culture. Some academics have regarded the Pashupati seal, which shows a deity surrounded by animals, as an early depiction of the Hindu god Shiva. Harappan spirituality may have included fertility and nature worship, as evidenced by the abundance of figurines, including mother goddess idols.
Seal Engraving and Art: The seals are one of the most significant IVC cultural items. They may have been used as a kind of branding for retailers and include images of people, animals, and abstract symbols.

4. Economical Features of Civilizatiion

Agriculture: The civilization produced a wide range of crops, such as cotton, wheat, barley, peas, and sesame. Agriculture was supported by the lush soil surrounding the Indus River, and numerous locations have shown signs of irrigation systems.
Craftsmanship: The Harappans were adept in making metal objects, textiles, beads, and pottery. Among the artifacts are exquisite seals fashioned from copper and steatite tools.
Trade: The IVC conducted long-distance business with Mesopotamia and other modern civilizations. A complex system of trade and commerce is suggested by the well-known Indus seals, which are frequently stamped with animal motifs and may have represented the names of traders or trade products.

5. Art and Culture of the civilization

A significant cultural legacy may be seen in Mohenjo-Daro’s artistic manifestations. Intricate seals, ceramics, and figurines are examples of artifacts that demonstrate the artists’ talent and inventiveness. The seals, which are frequently embellished with script and animal patterns, imply that art had practical and expressive uses in addition to being purely beautiful.
Additionally, the existence of granaries and public baths suggests a civilization that valued rituals and group activities. The Indus Valley Civilization’s artistic and cultural accomplishments reveal a society that was both technologically sophisticated and deeply rooted in its culture.

6. Water Management and Sanitation in the Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization was notable for its advancements in cleanliness and water management. For its time, Mohenjo-Daro boasted a vast network of sewage and drain systems that were extremely sophisticated. Private toilets and bathrooms were provided in each home, and they were linked to an advanced drainage system that promoted public health.
Because of the city’s advantageous location next to the Indus River, well-planned water reservoirs and wells could be built, guaranteeing that the populace would always have access to clean water. These inventions establish a benchmark for upcoming urban societies and demonstrate the civilization’s dedication to public health and hygiene.

Private Wells and Bathrooms: Most homes in Mohenjo-Daro included private wells and bathrooms. The drainage system was a massive system of drains that ran along the streets and connected to a larger central drainage system. The drainage system was built with a slope and made of brick to ensure that rubbish was removed efficiently.
Public Baths: The city featured smaller public baths in addition to the Great Bath. These demonstrate the Harappan focus on cleanliness and sanitation, which may have had both utilitarian and ceremonial purposes.

5. Decline:

Around 1900 BCE, Mohenjo-Daro and other significant Harappan cities started to deteriorate, and by 1700 BCE, the site had been abandoned. Although the exact causes of the fall are unknown, they may include:

Environmental Changes: Mohenjo-Daro’s economy, which depends heavily on agriculture, would have been upset by a change in the Indus River’s path or by weather changes like droughts.
Natural Disasters: At the site, there is evidence of harm from potential earthquakes or floods, among other natural disasters. These might have played a part in the city’s abandonment.
Economic and Political Factors: The urban centers may have been weakened by the fall in trade and the ultimate dissolution of the centralized government in the Indus Valley. This might have caused the urban area to gradually deteriorate.
Drying of Saraswati River : Some scholars believe that the Saraswati River dried up approximately 1900 BCE, which was the primary driver of climatic change.
Earth’s crustal movement: Movements in the Earth’s crust may have led the Indus River to flood and shift its course.
Climate Factors: According to a study conducted by researchers at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), climate conditions comparable to those controlling modern-day monsoons certainly contributed to the civilization’s collaps