Indus Valley Civilization

Extent of the civilization

Extent of the IVC

• Centered along the Indus
• Extended into Ghaggar-Hakra and Ganga-Yamuna river valleys
• Encompassed almost entire Pakistan, western India, southeastern Afghanistan and eastern Iran
• Isolated colonies as far away as Turkmenistan
  
• Coastal sites: Sutkagan Dor (Baluchistan), Lothal (Gujarat)
• Easternmost site: Alamgirpur (near Delhi)
• Island site: Dholavira
• Over 500 sites found in the Ghaggar-Hakra river bed, around 100 along the Indus
• First discovery (accidental): village called Brahminabad between Karachi and Lahore (1856)
• First excavated site: Harappa, by Sir J.H. Marshall (1921-22)
• Latest discovery: Sep 2009, rock engravings indicating Indus Valley culture found in Edakkal caves in Wayanad district of Kerala
  

Periodisation

Date Range	Phase	Major sites	Important attributes
7000 – 3300 BC	Mehrgarh	Mehrgarh	Cultivation of wheat and barley Proto-dentistry
3300 – 2600 BC	Early Harappan	Balakot Amri Hakra Kot Diji	Arts and crafts
2600 – 1900 BC	Mature Harappan	Harappa Mohenjo-Daro Kalibangan Dholavira Lothal Rupar	Cultivation of peas, sesame seeds, dates, cotton Domestication of animals Large urban centres with urban planning Dockyards, granaries, warehouses System of weights and measures in the ratio 4:2:1 Stringed musical instruments Bullock carts Maritime trade with Mesopotamia Burial of the dead
1900-1300 BC	Late Harappan	Harappa	Cremation of the dead Rice becomes main crop Expansion to the east Breakdown of trade Possibly identified with Vedic period