Discovery of an Artefact
An artefact has been found! Look at these bones or pieces of utensils; their structures are partially uncovered. This discovery is remarkable as it connects us to ancient times.
Ancient Civilization Revealed
We have visited the ruins of the world's oldest and most advanced civilization. The human mind is stunned to see such a wonderful town planning in that ancient era. When the ancient Egyptians were busy worshipping their Pharaohs, the people here were building not only pucca houses but also double-story houses, public bathrooms, modern Jacuzzi-style pools, roads, sewerage systems, and new technology. We want to know how all this was done in this corner of the world.
Mohenjo-Daro, the advanced city of the Indus Valley Civilization, has kept experts puzzled.
The Connection with Ancient Egypt
What secret connection did the Indus Valley Civilization have with the Ancient Egyptians 4000 km away? And above all, where did these people go despite having all this?
The Discovery of Mohenjo-Daro
In December 1922, Indian archaeologist RD Banerjee went hunting on the banks of the Indus River in West India. He saw a beautiful red-spotted deer and chased it, but the deer disappeared into a nearby forest. Tired of chasing, Banerjee decided to rest under a tree, where his foot touched a sharp blade. It looked like a normal stone but was identified as a flint scraper from the Bronze Age, used 4500 years ago.
Excavation Begins
Banerjee started investigating the area. A local person came with a bullock cart, loading bricks made of stone. Banerjee, with his team, set up camp and continued digging for the next four months. The findings were enough to create a stir in the world of archaeology. Incomprehensible characters and animals were found on stumps, which Banerjee sent to his senior Sir John Marshall, Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Connections to Harappa
Two years earlier, Indian archaeologist Dayaram Sahni had found similar stumps in Harappa, 600 km north of Mohenjo-Daro. This evidence proved that two different cities were part of the Indus Valley Civilization. Initially known as the Harappan Civilization, it was later called the Indus Valley Civilization as more villages were discovered along the Indus River.
The Extent of the Civilization
Traces of the Indus Civilization have been found from the Makran coast in Balochistan to the Yamuna River in Eastern Afghanistan and from Gujarat to North Pakistan. More than 1400 cities have been discovered, with some experts estimating up to 3771, indicating a civilization spread over 1600 kilometers east to west and 1100 kilometers north to south. It was larger than the combined area of Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations.
Advanced City Planning
Mohenjo-Daro was the biggest city of the Indus Valley Civilization and among the most advanced cities in the world. Only 10% of the 633-acre area has been excavated, yet it reveals a clear picture of the people’s lifestyle and thinking. The city was planned with roads and lanes laid out in a grid, with a citadel and important buildings like grain godowns and the Great Bath.
The Great Bath and Granaries
The Great Bath, the oldest bath in the world, and well-ventilated granaries show the advanced planning and care for the people. The Great Bath was made water-tight with gypsum and bitumen, materials still used today for waterproofing.
Drainage System
The people of Mohenjo-Daro invented a new drainage system unseen anywhere else in the world at that time. Every building was connected to this system, with manholes for cleaning blockages and limestone-covered sewers to absorb smells.
Wells and Marketplaces
The city had 700 wells in just 10 excavated areas, providing water to the public. The lower town had houses, markets, and industrial zones, with some houses having double stories and individual wells. The marketplace even had a large tandoor and take-away windows, similar to modern fast-food restaurants.
The Priest King and Dancing Girl Sculptures
Sculptures like the Priest King and Dancing Girl show the artistry and culture of Mohenjo-Daro. The Priest King sculpture, wearing a shawl similar to the Sindhi Ajrak, and the Dancing Girl sculpture, now in Pakistan, highlight the civilization's talent.
Agricultural Achievements
The Indus Valley Civilization's main income source was agriculture, with fertile land along the Indus River. They grew wheat, barley, and cotton, a crop unknown in Egypt and Mesopotamia at that time.
Skilled Artisans
Artifacts like bronze mirrors, wooden combs, clay and bronze jewelry, and children's toys show the skill of the civilization's artisans. They used standardized weights for trade, indicating a serious approach to economy and business.
International Trade Relations
The discovery of similar seals in Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley suggests a trading relationship. This connection was confirmed when John Marshall published the findings in a London newspaper in 1924, leading to the revelation that the Indus Valley had trade relations with Mesopotamia and Egypt.
The Name "Meluhha"
The people of Mesopotamia referred to the Indus Valley as Meluhha, indicating a recognized and respected civilization engaged in international trade.
The Indus Valley Civilization's achievements in urban planning, technology, and trade were remarkable, leaving a legacy that continues to intrigue and inspire.
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