The Indus Civilization and its Alternative Name: Harappan Civilization

The Indus Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, was one of the most ancient urban civilizations that flourished in the Indus Valley in present-day Pakistan and northwest India. The name "Harappan Civilization" is derived from the city of Harappa, one of the major centers of this ancient civilization. The term "Indus Civilization" is used to refer to the entire civilization that thrived in the region.

1. Discovery and Early Excavations:
- The ancient cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were discovered in the 1920s by archaeologists Sir John Marshall and R.D. Banerji, respectively.
- These excavations revealed a highly advanced urban civilization, previously unknown to the world.

2. Harappa as a Representative City:
- Harappa, located in present-day Punjab, Pakistan, was one of the largest and most well-preserved cities of the Indus Civilization.
- The city showcased the remarkable urban planning, advanced architecture, and sophisticated drainage systems characteristic of the entire civilization.

3. Synonymous Use:
- The name "Harappan Civilization" gained popularity due to the significance of the city of Harappa and its representation of the entire civilization.
- The alternative name "Indus Civilization" is used interchangeably to refer to the same ancient urban culture.

4. Extent and Chronology:
- The Harappan or Indus Civilization existed from approximately 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE.
- It covered a vast area, including parts of modern-day Pakistan, northwest India, and eastern Afghanistan.
- The civilization extended from the Himalayan foothills in the north to the Arabian Sea in the south.

5. Urban Centers and Trade:
- The Indus Civilization was characterized by well-planned cities, with streets laid out in a grid pattern and advanced drainage systems.
- It was a highly trade-oriented civilization, with evidence of long-distance trade networks extending to Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq) and other regions.
- The cities had dockyards, indicating maritime trade connections.

6. Script and Writing System:
- The Harappan script, which remains undeciphered, was discovered on a variety of artifacts, including seals and pottery.
- The writing system is yet to be fully understood due to the limited number of inscriptions found.

7. Agriculture and Economy:
- The Indus Civilization was primarily an agrarian society, with evidence of advanced agricultural practices such as irrigation systems and crop diversification.
- The economy was based on agriculture, trade, and the production of crafts, including pottery, jewelry, and textiles.

8. Decline and Legacy:
- The Harappan or Indus Civilization experienced a gradual decline around 1900 BCE, possibly due to environmental factors, such as climate change or tectonic activity.
- The legacy of the Indus Civilization can be seen in the continued use of some cultural practices, such as the use of weights and measures, in the later civilizations of the Indian subcontinent.

In conclusion, the Indus Civilization is also referred to as the Harappan Civilization due to the significance of the city of Harappa. The name "Indus Civilization" is used synonymously and encompasses the entire ancient