Explanations:The Indus Valley Civilisation, also known as the Harappan Civilisation, was a pre-Aryan urban civilisation that flourished in the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent, primarily in present-day Pakistan and western India. This civilisation is one of the earliest known urban civilisations in the world, dating back to around 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE. The civilisation is named after the Indus River, which was a crucial part of its geography and economy.
The Indus Valley Civilisation is known for its well-planned cities, advanced urban infrastructure, and a sophisticated system of governance. The two most prominent archaeological sites of this civilisation are Mohenjodaro and Harappa. These sites have provided significant evidence of a highly organised and advanced society, including well-planned streets, drainage systems, and a standardised system of weights and measures.
Mohenjodaro, located in the Sindh province of present-day Pakistan, is one of the most important sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation. It was discovered in 1922 and has been extensively excavated since then. The site has yielded a wealth of artefacts and architectural remains that provide insights into the daily life, economy, and social structure of the Harappan people. The city was divided into a citadel and a lower town, with the citadel housing important administrative and religious buildings.
The other major site, Harappa, is located in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It was discovered in 1920 and has also provided significant archaeological evidence of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Both Mohenjodaro and Harappa have yielded artefacts such as seals, pottery, and jewellery, which have helped historians and archaeologists understand the culture and economy of the Harappan people.
It is important to distinguish between the Indus Valley Civilisation and later historical sites such as Taxila, Rajgir, and Indraprastha. Taxila and Rajgir are associated with the Gandhara culture and the Mauryan Empire, respectively, and are not related to the pre-Aryan Indus Valley Civilisation. Indraprastha is a legendary city from the Mahabharata and is not an archaeological site associated with the Indus Valley Civilisation.
Understanding the archaeological sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation is crucial for comprehending the early history of the Indian subcontinent and the development of urban civilisations. The discovery and excavation of sites like Mohenjodaro have provided valuable insights into the pre-Aryan period and the sophisticated urban culture that existed in the region before the arrival of the Aryans.