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Reading Indus Valley Civilization facts help students understand one of the earliest urban civilizations in human history. It is famous for its undeciphered Indus script, sophisticated city planning, tools and utensils made from bronze and copper, and sanitation. Moreover, it has always been a topic of interest among students who wish to enhance their knowledge by learning interesting GK facts. Here is a blog with 27+ Indus Valley Civilization facts for students and history lovers to learn some new information.
Table of Contents
- 1 10 Interesting Facts about Indus Valley Civilization
- 2 Unknown Facts About Indus Valley Civilization
- 3 Important Points of the Indus Valley Civilization
- 4 8 Fun facts about the Indus Valley Civilization
- 5 5 Additional Interesting Facts about the Indus Valley Civilisation
- 6 5 Rare Facts about Harappa
- 7 FAQs
10 Interesting Facts about Indus Valley Civilization
Facts about the Indus Valley Civilization provide students with a glimpse of early urban life in India. Known for its excellent craftsmanship and architecture, this civilization flourished along the banks of the Indus River. Here are some interesting facts about the Indus Valley Civilization for students:
1. Indus Valley is the earliest known urban civilisation in India.
2. The modern name of this civilization is derived from its location in the Indus River valley.
3. It is also known as the Harappan civilization or the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization.
4. This civilization flourished around 3300-1300 BCE.
5. The Indus Valley Civilization is categorised into three phases including the Early Harappan Phase (3300 – 2600 BCE), the Mature Harappan Phase (2600 – 1900 BCE), and the Late Harappan Phase (1900 – 1300 BCE).
6. The next fact about the Indus Valley Civilization is that it is the most extensive civilisation among the three earliest which are Mesopotamia and Egypt.
7. Researchers first found traces of Indus Valley civilization in 1921 at Harappa in Punjab. The next discovery was made in 1922 at Monhenjodaro near the Indus River in the Sindh region.
8. It is believed that the Indus civilization had two large cities, Harappa and Mohenjodaro.
9. This civilization is recognised for its urban planning, baked brick houses, elaborate drainage systems, and water supply systems.
10. Archaeologists have found more than 1052 cities and settlements in the regions surrounding the Indus River.
Also Read: 40 Historical Facts About Harappan Civilization
Unknown Facts About Indus Valley Civilization
The Indus Valley Civilization stands out for its undeciphered writing system, advanced urban infrastructure, and mysterious decline. Here are some facts to help you understand more about this civilization and its people:
1. People in the Indus Valley Civilization developed a writing system called the Indus Script or Harappan Script.
2. No one has been able to decipher the Indus Script.
3. Archaeologists believe that the total population of the Indus Valley Civilization was around 5 million.
4. The civilization began to decline around 1900 – 1500 BCE for unknown reasons.
5. Popular theories behind the downfall of the civilization include climate change, the drying up of the river, the overpopulation of the cities, and a decline in trade with Egypt and Mesopotamia.
6. People of the civilization were primarily artisans, farmers, and merchants.
7. The Great Bath at Mohenjodaro is believed to have been used for ritual purification rites.
8. Archaeologists did not find traces of temples, palaces, or armies.
9. It is possible that people of the Indus Valley Civilization worshipped a Mother Goddes deity and a male consort, often depicted as a horned figure with wild animals.
10. They used copper and bronze to make tools such as chisels, axes, spears, and knives.
Also Read: Indus Valley Civilization: Time-Period, Culture & Excavation Sites
Important Points of the Indus Valley Civilization
From agricultural advancements to mastery in metalwork, craftsmanship, and town planning, the Indus Valley Civilization has many noteworthy achievements. Here are some important points of the Indus Valley Civilization for students:
1. The four main varieties of metals found include crude copper lumps, refined copper, an alloy of copper, and bronze with a tin alloy.
2. People used to grow field peas, mustard, sesame, and barley.
3. They domesticated many animals such as cats, dogs, cattle, fowl, camels, buffalo, and pigs.
4. Terra-cotta figurines are the most popular art form of Harappans.
5. Researchers have also found small seals made from soapstone or steatite with figurines like a unicorn, bull, elephant, bison, rhinoceros, and tiger.
6. Remnants of ornaments like bracelets, pendants, and necklaces have also been excavated.
7. Researchers found evidence of woven cloths at Mohenjaro, indicating that people were well acquainted with spinning and weaving.
8. It is believed that trade played an important role in the Indus Valley Civilization as regulated weights, measures, and seals have been found at various places.
9. The Indus Valley civilisation is one of the world’s earliest civilisations, and the most developed urban culture.
10. The civilisation covered a huge geographical area. That is, modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
8 Fun facts about the Indus Valley Civilization
- The cities had advanced drainage systems that ran beneath the streets. This showcases advanced sanitation.
- Moreover, they had a uniform system of weights and measures that were mainly based on multiples of 16 that facilitated trade.
- Archaeologists found several terracotta toys like carts, animals, and spinning tops.
- Indus people may have been the first to domesticate chickens
- They used Harappan seals as trader markers for the identification of goods. They were even used as amulets.
- A large public tank,, or the Great Bath, was perhaps used for ritualistic purposes.
- They were one of the earliest civilisations to make use of cotton for textiles.
- The major cities were laid out in a grid pattern with streets crossing at right angles. This showcases urban planning.
5 Additional Interesting Facts about the Indus Valley Civilisation
The Indus script remains a mystery. The reason? It is not yet desciphered.
- The lack of monumental palaces shows us that this was probably an egalitarian society
- The people of the Indus Valley Civilisation engaged in long-distance trade. Their trade reached up to Mesopotamia.
- These people were skilled in metalwork. They could work with bronze, copper, lead, tin and used methods like the lost-wax method for bronze casting.
- The reason for the decline of this civilisation is still debated. Most blame environmental changes for it.
5 Rare Facts about Harappa
Here are five interesting facts about the Harappan civilisation
- The Indus Valley civilisation is often called the Harappan Civilisation. Harappas was the first site to be discovered and extensively excavated..
- This archaeological site exists in the present-day Punjab, Pakistan, and the banks of the Ravi River.
- The excavations during the early 20th century were important in establishing the existence of the ancient civilisation.
- The site of Harappa has evidence of various burial methods used by the people.
- Dayaram Sahni was responsible for conducting the initial excavations at the Harappa
Interesting Reads
FAQs
5 interesting facts about the Indus Valley Civilization include that it is the earliest known urban civilisation in India, its modern name is derived from its location around the Indus River valley, it is also called the Harappan or the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization, it flourished around 3300-1300 BCE, and lastly, it is categorised into three phases including the Early Harappan Phase, the Mature Harappan Phase, and the Late Harappan Phase.
The Indus River Valley civilization is famous for its urban planning, political structure, and technical understanding of people. In other words, this civilisation was way ahead of its time. People made baked brick houses, elaborate drainage systems, and clusters of nonresidential buildings.
The 3 features of the Indus Valley Civilization include urban planning with grid layouts, an advanced drainage system, and the use of seals containing different animal figures.
The 10 important Indus Valley Civilization sites are Kalibangan (Rajasthan), Lothal, Dholavira, Rangpur, Surkotda (Gujarat), Banawali (Haryana), Ropar (Punjab) Harappa (on river Ravi), Mohenjodaro (on the Indus River in Sindh), and Chanhudaro (in Sindh).
The Indus civilisation is named due to its location around the Indus river system. The early sites of the civilization were excavated in the river’s alluvial plains.
Harappa was discovered in 1921 by Dayaram Sahni. These excavations were done under the guidance of Sir John Marshal and Colonel Meke.
The Indus River is the longest river in Asia. The river flows through India, China, and Pakistan. It is an important source of irrigation for the dry regions it traverses. Moreover, it supports agriculture.
The two reasons why you know little about the Indus Valley civilisation are the writing system. Indus Script has not yet been understood. Moreover, like the civilisations of Egypt and Mesopotamia, they did not build vast monuments.
What is unique about the Indus Valley civilisation is its advanced urban planning. They had built grid-like cities. This was exceptional considering the time.
Mohenjo-Daro was one of the largest cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation. It is famous for having the Great Bath.
Unknown. The Indus Valley civilisation spoke in a language that cannot be understood by the people of our time, We cannot understand their script.
Hope you enjoy reading these Indus Valley Civilization facts. If you want to know more about topics like this, then visit our Interesting Facts and General Knowledge page!
