Hidden beneath the plains of Pakistan and northwest India lies one of the oldest urban wonders: the Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC). It thrived around 2600 to 1900 BCE. Often overshadowed by Egypt or Mesopotamia, the IVC featured advanced cities, far-reaching trade, and a mysterious script that remains undeciphered.
Masterful Urban Design
Cities like Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Dholavira show city planning ahead of its time. Their layout included:
- Grid systems with straight streets meeting at right angles.
- Sophisticated drainage with brick-lined sewers beneath roads.
- Multi-storey homes featuring private wells and bathrooms — rare luxuries then.
Unlike other ancient civilisations with kings and palaces, the Indus cities lack evidence of grand palaces or large temples. This suggests a society organised around trade and local councils rather than a strong central ruler.
Trade Networks Across Continents
The Indus Valley was part of an extensive trade network. It exported beads, pottery, cotton textiles, and metals to places as far as Mesopotamia. Archaeologists found Indus seals in Sumerian cities like Ur. Ancient records mention merchants called “Meluhhans,” believed to be Indus traders.
At the same time, goods like lapis lazuli from Afghanistan and shells from the Persian Gulf reached Indus markets. This exchange shows a vibrant network spanning thousands of kilometres.
The Enigmatic Script
The civilisation’s script remains one of its biggest puzzles. Hundreds of short inscriptions appear on seals, tablets, and pottery. Despite decades of research, no one has decoded it yet.
Unlike Egyptian hieroglyphs or Mesopotamian cuneiform, there is no bilingual key, such as a Rosetta Stone. Some experts think the script recorded trade deals. Others believe it held religious or administrative messages. But without longer texts, the true meaning is still unknown.
Decline and Lasting Impact
Around 1900 BCE, the Indus cities began to decline. Possible causes include changing river courses, drought, or shifts in trade routes. The collapse was slow. People gradually moved from cities to smaller rural areas.
Even so, the Indus Valley’s legacy lives on. Its urban planning, drainage systems, and craft traditions influenced South Asian cultures for centuries.
