Indus Valley Civilization (BC 2700 – BC 1900)

 Hey there! Let's take a journey back in time to around 3300 BC when the Indus Valley Civilization was established. This vibrant civilization flourished between 2600 BC and 1900 BC, often referred to as the "Mature Indus Valley Civilization." Around 1900 BC, it began to wane and eventually disappeared around 1400 BC. Fascinatingly, it's also known as the Harappan Civilization, named after the first city to be excavated, Harappa, located in Punjab, Pakistan.

Before the Harappan Civilization, there was a pre-Harappan civilization found in Mehrgarh, Pakistan, that showed the first signs of cotton cultivation. This civilization covered a vast geographical area, including Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Western Uttar Pradesh. It stretched from Sutkagengor (in Baluchistan) in the West to Alamgirpur (Western UP) in the East; and from Mandu (Jammu) in the North to Daimabad (Ahmednagar, Maharashtra) in the South. What's more, some Indus Valley sites have even been discovered in distant lands like Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

Important Sites of the Indus Valley Civilization

We've got several important sites to visit in India, including Kalibangan (Rajasthan), Lothal, Dholavira, Rangpur, Surkotda (Gujarat), Banawali (Haryana), and Ropar (Punjab). Over in Pakistan, we find Harappa (on the Ravi River), Mohenjodaro (on the Indus River in Sindh), and Chanhudaro (in Sindh). This civilization was first brought to light during an excavation campaign led by Sir John Hubert Marshall in 1921–22 at Harappa after J Fleet discovered some intriguing seals. Harappan ruins were unearthed by Marshall, Rai Bahadur Daya Ram Sahni, and Madho Sarup Vats, while Mohenjodaro ruins were first excavated by R.D. Banerjee, E. J. H. MacKay, and Marshall. The cities of the Indus Valley showcased remarkable sophistication and advancement, compared to other contemporary civilizations. Most cities shared similar patterns, including a citadel and a lower town, and most of them had a Great Bath.

The Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization

Now, let's ponder on the possible reasons for the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization. The exact causes haven't been firmly established, and archaeologists now believe that the civilization didn't come to an abrupt end but gradually declined. People moved eastwards, cities were abandoned, and writing and trade declined. Various theories have been suggested over the years, including an Aryan invasion, tectonic movements, floods, deforestation, and destruction of the green cover. However, it's now generally accepted that several factors could have contributed to its decline. New cities only emerged about 1400 years later, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in human history.