Indus Valley Civilization | Early Civilizations | World History | Khan Academy

Summary

The Indus Valley Civilization, centered around the Indus River and primarily in modern-day Pakistan, was a highly advanced society from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE. Known for its standardized weights, measures, and bricks, it showcased remarkable urban planning, including sewage systems and public baths. With evidence of extensive trade networks reaching Mesopotamia and China, the civilization's decline remains a mystery, possibly due to climate change or natural disasters. Despite the inability to decipher their script, the Indus Valley Civilization's influence on modern culture, such as Hinduism, is evident.

Takeaways

• 🌱 The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan civilization, was one of the world's earliest, thriving around the Indus River, primarily in modern-day Pakistan.
• 🏙️ The civilization was extensive, with over 1,000 sites discovered and an estimated population of up to five million people.
• 🏗️ Known for their advanced urban planning and architecture, the Indus Valley people built structures with precise measurements and had sophisticated sewage systems.
• 🛠️ They used standardized bricks and units of measurement, indicating a high level of organization and possibly centralized governance.
• 🔢 The civilization had a system of weights and measures, including an incredibly small unit of 1.6 millimeters, reflecting their precision in craftsmanship.
• 🎨 Art and sculptures, such as the 'Dancing Girl' and 'Priest-King,' provide insights into their culture, though interpretations are speculative.
• 💍 The Indus Valley people were skilled in making intricate jewelry, indicating a developed sense of aesthetics and craftsmanship.
• 🌊 Evidence of maritime trade suggests a vast network connecting the Indus Valley with regions like Mesopotamia and possibly China.
• 📜 The civilization's writing system remains undeciphered, but some symbols, like the swastika, have cultural connections to present-day India and Hinduism.
• ❓ The decline and end of the Indus Valley Civilization are still a mystery, with theories ranging from climate change to natural disasters or cultural assimilation.

Q & A

Why were early civilizations often found around river valleys?

Early civilizations were often found around river valleys because these areas provided fertile soil for agriculture, which in turn supported higher population densities and more sedentary populations. Agriculture also allowed for specialization and the development of complex societies.

What is the significance of the Indus River in ancient civilization?

The Indus River is significant because it was the center of the Indus Valley Civilization, which is also known as the Harappan civilization. This civilization, located mainly in modern-day Pakistan, was one of the earliest and most extensive, with evidence of settlements dating back to around 7000 BCE.

What is the Harappan civilization and how did it get its name?

The Harappan civilization is an early urban culture that existed in the Indus Valley. It was named after Harappa, the first site where evidence of this extensive civilization was discovered.

What time period is considered the main part of the Harappan civilization?

The main part of the Harappan civilization is considered to be around 3300 BCE, marking the beginning of the early period of the Indus Valley civilization.

What is the mature period of the Indus Valley civilization, and what structures were discovered during this time?

The mature period of the Indus Valley civilization is often referred to as the time when the largest structures and pieces of technology were discovered, which is around the same time as the ancient Sumerians and the empire of Sargon the Great.

How extensive was the Indus Valley civilization geographically?

The Indus Valley civilization was extensive, with over 1,000 sites discovered in the region, mainly in modern-day Pakistan and India. It is believed that as many as five million people might have been part of this civilization.

What evidence suggests that the Indus Valley civilization had a standardized system?

The Indus Valley civilization had a standardized system as evidenced by the uniformity in weights and measures, the use of standard brick sizes in construction, and the presence of the same symbols across various sites.

What technological advancements are seen in the Indus Valley civilization?

The Indus Valley civilization had advanced technology for its time, including well-constructed brickwork, public baths, citadels, defensive structures, and sewage systems. They also had a precise unit of measurement as small as 1.6 millimeters.

What is known about the trade network of the Indus Valley civilization?

The Indus Valley civilization had an extensive trade network, as evidenced by the discovery of their jewelry in Mesopotamia and the presence of materials from China and other parts of India. They also used shells from the Arabian peninsula, indicating maritime trade.

Why is the end of the Indus Valley civilization considered a mystery?

The end of the Indus Valley civilization is a mystery because it was a thriving and extensive civilization that suddenly declined. Theories include climate change, natural disasters, or a decline in trade, but the exact cause is still unknown.

What is the current understanding of the writing system of the Indus Valley civilization?

The writing system of the Indus Valley civilization remains undeciphered, and while there are examples of their script, including the use of the swastika symbol, the language and the full extent of their writing system are not well understood.