The Harappan Civilisation is the first civilisation of India (was known as Indus Valley civilisation).

The Harappan Civilization

The Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, was one of the ancient world's most advanced urban civilizations. It flourished around 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE in what is now modern-day Pakistan and northwest India. The civilization was named after Harappa, one of the major cities of the civilization.

Urban Planning and Architecture:
- The Harappan cities were well-planned and had sophisticated urban infrastructure. They had grid-like street patterns, fortified walls, and well-organized drainage systems.
- The cities had well-built houses made of standardized bricks, with several rooms and courtyards. Some houses even had private wells and bathrooms.
- The architecture of the Harappan civilization was characterized by large public buildings, including granaries, bathhouses, and assembly halls. The Great Bath in Mohenjo-daro is one of the notable examples.
- The cities also had impressive structures like the Great Bath, which was a large water tank believed to have been used for religious or ritualistic purposes.

Economy and Trade:
- The Harappan civilization was an agrarian society, with agriculture being the main occupation. They cultivated crops like wheat, barley, peas, and cotton.
- The civilization had an extensive trade network, with evidence of trade links stretching as far as Mesopotamia and Egypt. They traded in various commodities such as textiles, pottery, precious stones, and metals.
- The presence of standardized weights and measures suggests a well-organized system of trade and commerce.
- The discovery of dockyards and warehouses in the cities indicates that maritime trade was an important aspect of their economy.

Social Organization and Culture:
- The Harappan society was believed to be highly organized, with evidence of a hierarchical social structure. Some scholars suggest the existence of a ruling elite, based on the differences in the size and layout of houses.
- The civilization had a system of writing, known as the Indus script. However, deciphering this script remains a challenge, and its exact nature and purpose are still unclear.
- The Harappan people were skilled artisans and craftsmen. They produced pottery, jewelry, and intricate seals made of steatite, which were used for various purposes, including trade and administration.

Decline and Legacy:
- The Harappan civilization began to decline around 1900 BCE, and the exact reasons for its decline are still debated among scholars. Possible factors include environmental changes, natural disasters, or invasion by external forces.
- Despite its decline, the Harappan civilization left a lasting impact on the Indian subcontinent. Many aspects of their culture, such as urban planning, craftsmanship, and trade practices, influenced later civilizations in the region.
- The Indus Valley Civilization is considered one of the world's first urban civilizations and an important precursor to the development of Indian civilization. Its legacy can be seen in the later civilizations of the Indian subcontinent, such as the Vedic civilization and the Mauryan Empire.