Introduction
Ancient Indian history ka sabse important chapter Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) hai. Ye civilization duniya ki earliest urban civilizations me se ek thi, jiska development planned cities, advanced drainage system, aur organized social life se hota hai. Isse Harappan Civilization bhi kaha jata hai.
Timeline
- Period: c. 2600 BCE – 1900 BCE
- Region: Present-day India aur Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, Haryana)
Major Cities
- Harappa (Punjab)
- Mohenjo-daro (Sindh)
- Dholavira (Gujarat)
- Lothal (Gujarat)
- Kalibangan (Rajasthan)
In cities ka layout grid pattern me tha, jo advanced town planning ko show karta hai.
Town Planning & Drainage System
Indus cities ki sabse unique feature:
- Well-planned streets
- Baked brick houses
- Covered drainage system
- Public baths (Great Bath – Mohenjo-daro)
Ye system us time ke liye world ke sabse advanced systems me se ek tha.
Economic Life
- Agriculture: Wheat, barley, cotton
- Trade: Beads, seals, pottery ka trade Mesopotamia tak hota tha
- Dockyard: Lothal me world ka one of the earliest dockyards mila hai
Social & Cultural Life
- Standardized weights & measures
- Seals with animal figures (bull, unicorn, etc.)
- No clear evidence of kings or large palaces
- Society comparatively egalitarian lagti hai
Religion & Beliefs
- Mother Goddess worship ke evidence
- Pashupati Seal (proto-Shiva figure)
- Sacred trees aur animals ka importance
Decline of the Civilization
Exact reason clear nahi hai, lekin possible causes:
- Climate change
- River shifting
- Decline in trade
- Gradual urban decay (not sudden destruction)
Historical Importance
Indus Valley Civilization ne:
- Urban planning ki foundation rakhi
- Indian subcontinent me organized life ka start kiya
- Future Indian cultures par deep influence chhoda
Conclusion
Indus Valley Civilization sirf ek ancient society nahi thi, balki ek highly developed urban culture thi jo apne time se kaafi aage thi. Iski legacy aaj bhi Indian history ka ek strong pillar hai.