A Look Inside the Ancient Indus Valley Civilisation at Mohenjo-Daro

One of the most important ancient archaeological sites, Mohenjo-Daro, provides evidence of the Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), sometimes called the Harappan Civilisation, and its sophisticated urban planning and inventiveness. One of the oldest urban settlements in history, this ancient metropolis thrived from 2600 to 1900 BCE and is situated in the Sindh area of present-day Pakistan. Its discovery in the 1920s generated a surge of curiosity about the enigmatic civilisation, which is still unknown in many respects despite its amazing achievements. The historical background, town design, social organisation, and riddles surrounding Mohenjo-Daro will all be covered in this article.A Look Inside the Ancient Indus Valley Civilisation at Mohenjo-Daro

A Synopsis of the Indus Valley Civilisation

Along with Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, the Indus Valley Civilisation is among the oldest known civilisations in human history. The Indus River Valley, which includes portions of present-day Pakistan and northwest India, is where it thrived. It is estimated that the civilisation lasted from roughly 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE, or more than a thousand years. Mohenjo-Daro was the more thoroughly excavated and better-preserved of the two major urban centres of this civilisation, along with Harappa.

The Indus Valley Civilization was unique in that it exhibited a level of urban sophistication and planning that was unparalleled at the time. Unlike other ancient civilizations that were often built around grand monuments or palaces, the Indus Valley cities were meticulously planned with an emphasis on sanitation, grid-like street layouts, and centralized marketplaces.

Mohenjo-Daro’s discovery and excavation

The discovery of Mohenjo-Daro began in the early 1900s when archaeologist Sir Mortimer Wheeler discovered the site in the 1920s with the help of experts from India and Pakistan. A well-planned city with impressive infrastructure, such as a highly developed drainage system, brick homes, and public baths, was discovered during excavations. Since the ruins were first thought to be the remains of an old city buried beneath a mound of earth, the name “Mohenjo-Daro” means “Mound of the Dead” in Sindhi.

The most significant excavations at Mohenjo-Daro occurred between the 1920s and the 1960s, with a resurgence in the 1980s. Currently a UNESCO World Heritage site, the location faces threats from erosion, climate change.

Architecture and Urban Planning
One of the characteristics that distinguishes Mohenjo-Daro from other ancient civilisations is its urban design. Wide streets that intersected at right angles made up the city’s grid layout. Despite the fact that no royal palace or other monumental monuments were found to establish a monarchy, this degree of planning implies that the city had a central authority supervising its construction and organisation.

The majority of the homes in Mohenjo-Daro were constructed from baked mud bricks, which served as insulation against the heat and helped control temperature. The size of the dwellings varied; the larger ones might have belonged to the richer residents. The majority of homes featured many rooms, bathrooms, and a shared courtyard, suggesting that privacy and family life were prioritised.

Mohenjo-Daro’s drainage system is among its most remarkable characteristics. A sophisticated knowledge of cleanliness and public health is suggested by the city’s streets’ intricate drainage system, which included covered sewers running alongside the roadways. The drainage system at Mohenjo-Daro is actually regarded as one of the most advanced of any ancient civilisation. In order to divert wastewater away from the living spaces, the majority of homes featured private restrooms with drains that connected to the street infrastructure. The city’s engineers’ vision and planning are evident in this sophisticated urban infrastructure.

The Great Bath, a sizable rectangular pool that was probably utilised for ceremonial or ritual purposes, is another noteworthy aspect of the city. For the residents of Mohenjo-Daro, the Great Bath is believed to have been a significant social and cultural hub. Its meticulously built brickwork and bitumen sealing demonstrate a high level of engineering competence. The existence of such a building also raises the possibility that the residents of Mohenjo-Daro engaged in ceremonial or sacred bathing, a custom that would subsequently spread throughout many societies worldwide.

The Economy and Society
Although there are still many unanswered questions regarding Mohenjo-Daro’s social structure, a number of hints shed light on the way of life of its residents. The residents of Mohenjo-Daro were expert traders, artisans, andfarmers. Numerous artefacts, like as tools, seals, beads, and ceramics, have been found during excavations that point to a bustling commerce and industry-based economy.

People from the Indus Valley are thought to have traded extensively with Mesopotamia and other modern civilisations. Indus seals, which were probably used to identify commodities in transit, provide evidence of trade with the ancient Sumerians. Materials like lapis lazuli, a semi-precious stone brought from Afghanistan, are found there, indicating that Mohenjo-Daro was a part of a wider ancient global trading network.

Mohenjo-Daro’s economy was also based on agriculture. Wheat, barley, and other crops were grown on the lush plains of the Indus River Valley.Furthermore, the Mohenjo-Daro people tamed animals like goats, sheep, and cattle, which served as valuable labour and food sources. The city was a major centre in the ancient world’s economy because of its advantageous location along the Indus River, which also made trade and transportation easier.

The System of Writing
The unsolved Indus Valley Civilisation writing is one of the most intriguing riddles of Mohenjo-Daro. At Mohenjo-Daro, thousands of tiny seals have been discovered, many of which have inscriptions in an unidentified script. One of the biggest mysteries in the study of ancient languages is this writing, which is frequently called the Indus script. Since researchers haven’t been able to decipher the code despite multiple tries, little is known aboutthe Mohenjo-Daro people’s language, religion, or beliefs.

Small steatite seals, which were probably employed for administrative or commercial purposes, are the main source of the writing. The fact that these seals frequently depict creatures like unicorns, elephants, and buffalo suggests that they may have had religious or symbolic meaning.

Decline and Mysteries
One of the greatest mysteries of ancient history is the fall of Mohenjo-Daro and the greater Indus Valley Civilisation. Around 1900 BCE, the city was abandoned, most likely as a result of a confluence of events including changes in the Indus River’s flow, climate change, and potential external invasions. However, Mohenjo-Daro has shown no signs of external devastation or violent fighting, indicating that thePerhaps the decline was more gradual.

The heritage of Mohenjo-Daro persists even after thousands of years have passed. The city is still a representation of early technical advancement, urban design, and social structure. Both historians and tourists are still fascinated by the mysteries surrounding the Indus Valley Civilisation, such as the destiny of its inhabitants and the significance of their writing.