Indus Valley Civilisation — Study Notes

Overview

The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), also called Harappan Civilisation, was one of the world's earliest urban cultures (circa 2500–1900 BCE). It flourished along the Indus and its tributaries, covering modern-day Pakistan and northwest India. For UPSSSC PET, you must understand its urban planning, economy, seals, script, and reasons for decline. Questions typically test factual recall about sites, town planning features, artefacts, and comparative knowledge of contemporary civilisations. Unlike Mesopotamia and Egypt, the IVC had no monumental temples or royal tombs, yet showed remarkable standardisation and civic sense. Master the key sites (Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Lothal, Dholavira), their unique features, and the unresolved mysteries like the script and decline theories.

The exam expects you to identify which site had which feature (e.g. dockyard at Lothal, Great Bath at Mohenjodaro), recognise artefacts (seals, pottery, beads), and distinguish the Harappan culture from Vedic culture. Knowing the geographical spread and periodisation (Early, Mature, Late Harappan) helps contextualise the civilisation's longevity and eventual collapse. Since the script remains undeciphered, focus on archaeological evidence—town plans, drainage, standardised weights, and trade links.

Key Concepts

• **Mature Phase (2500–1900 BCE)**: The urbanised, standardised phase when major cities like Harappa and Mohenjodaro flourished with grid planning, brick structures, and advanced drainage systems. This is the classical Harappan period.