Indus Valley Centres
Important Centres
The Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, was one of the most advanced and prosperous ancient civilizations. Its important centres have left a lasting legacy of impressive structures, artifacts, and knowledge that still fascinate scholars today. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most important centres of this civilization.
Harappa, located on the bank of the Ravi in Western Punjab, is considered the premier city of the Harappan Civilization. Its ruins cover a circuit of about 3 miles and reveal a substantial section of the population engaged in non-food production activities. To maintain these non-food producers, the community would have had to mobilize a large number of people to procure and transport food from food-producing areas. Despite the absence of clusters of sites around Harappa, it was located in the midst of important trade routes connecting it with Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Jammu, allowing it to procure exotic items from faraway lands.
Mohenjodaro, located in the Larkana district of Sind on the bank of the river Indus, is the largest site of the Harappan Civilization. Most of the information regarding the town planning, housing, seals, and sealings of this civilization comes from Mohenjo-Daro. People lived here for a long time, building and rebuilding houses at the same location, resulting in building remains and debris about seventy-five feet tall. Thus, the oldest buildings in Mohenjodaro have been found to be about 39 feet below the modem level at the plain.
Kalibangan, located in Rajasthan along the dried-up bed of the river Ghaggar, shows significant variation from Harappan in the sphere of religious beliefs. It might have been a mediator between the Harappan cultural zone and the eastern provinces.
Lothal, located in Gujarat on the coastal flats of the Gulf of Cambay, has been discovered to have settlements such as Rangpur, Surkotada, and Lothal. Lothal’s strategic location and dockyard may have made it an important centre of trade, with trading contacts extending to Mesopotamia.
Sutkagen-Dor, located near the Makran coast close to the Pakistan-Iran border, is currently landlocked in dry inhospitable plains. However, it represents the known western boundaries of the Harappans and is an important centre for understanding the western extent of the civilization.
In conclusion, the Harappan Civilization covered a vast area, with important centres scattered throughout its region. Each centre had its unique characteristics, contributing to the overall diversity of the civilization. Exploring these centres provides a glimpse into the lives of the ancient Harappans and their impressive achievements.
