Mohenjo-daro reveals the ancient Indus Valley Civilization

The archaeological site of Mohenjo-daro holds World Heritage status from UNESCO and represents one of the most important historical discoveries ever made by humans. The ancient city of Mohenjo-daro situated in present-day Sindh, Pakistan reveals critical information about the sophisticated urban planning and governance system of the Indus Valley Civilization which peaked around 2500 BCE. UPSC aspirants need to study Mohenjo-daro’s history, culture, and society because it appears regularly in both Prelims and Mains exams.

Historical Significance

R.D. Banerji discovered Mohenjo-daro in 1922 when it stood as one of the major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization together with Harappa, Lothal, Dholavira and Kalibangan. The term “Mohenjo-daro” means “Mound of the Dead” which reflects the ancient ruins’ significant historical layers. Experts consider Mohenjo-daro to have been an active metropolis that demonstrated advanced expertise in multiple areas of daily existence.

Urban Planning and Architecture

The city of Mohenjo-daro stands out due to its sophisticated system of urban planning. The city planners established a structured grid pattern where streets ran in straight lines intersecting at perpendicular angles. Key architectural highlights include:

The Great Bath: The Great Bath was a rectangular water tank constructed from watertight bricks which served as a ritual bathing facility. The structure demonstrates how their society valued purity rituals and cleanliness practices.
Granary: The existence of expansive storage facilities indicates that this society managed grain storage and distribution through a centralized system.
Drainage System: The city demonstrates advanced engineering skills through its complex drainage system which consists of covered drains and soak pits designed to improve hygiene.
Residential Buildings: The construction of houses from baked bricks included multiple rooms and features like wells and courtyards to emphasize comfort and private living spaces.

Society and Economy

The site of Mohenjo-daro reveals its inhabitants lived in a society that maintained organization and equality among its members. Without any grand palaces or massive temples present, the society appears to have been relatively classless. The economic system depended mostly on agricultural activities but also benefited from trade and commercial endeavors. The existence of seals, beads, and pottery demonstrates that there were trading connections between Mohenjo-daro and Mesopotamia along with other distant regions.

Art and Culture

The objects unearthed at Mohenjo-daro demonstrate a wealthy cultural legacy. Some key findings include:

Seals: These seals which feature animal designs and writing characters were probably employed to facilitate trade and manage administrative tasks.
Dancing Girl Statue: The bronze Dancing Girl Statue of a young woman captured in an impressive pose reveals the artistic mastery of the Indus Valley civilization.
Terracotta Figurines: These terracotta figurines which depict animals as well as humans and deities reveal details about their religious practices and everyday activities.

Decline of Mohenjo-daro

Historians continue to debate various theories about why the Indus Valley Civilization and Mohenjo-daro experienced decline. Various theories about Mohenjo-daro’s decline include climate change and river pattern shifts alongside invasions by external groups. The historical impact of Mohenjo-daro persists in shaping modern interpretations of ancient societies even after its decline.

Relevance for UPSC Preparation

The topic of Mohenjo-daro stands as a required subject for UPSC candidates studying History and Culture in their syllabus. Here are some tips for effective preparation:

Focus on Key Features: Investigate the urban planning systems and architectural designs of Mohenjo-daro along with its artifacts to gain comprehensive knowledge. Questions often revolve around these aspects.
Comparative Analysis: Analyzing Mohenjo-daro alongside Harappa Dholavira and Lothal reveals regional differences within the Indus Valley Civilization.
Interdisciplinary Approach: The findings from Mohenjo-daro should be connected to geographical themes about climate conditions as well as sociological insights into societal structure and economic analyses of trade practices.
Practice Previous Year Questions: Examine the nature of UPSC exam questions on the Indus Valley Civilization from past years.

Conclusion

The ancient city of Mohenjo-daro demonstrates the creative and robust nature of the Indus Valley Civilization. UPSC candidates who study Mohenjo-daro learn about India’s historical wealth while gaining skills to answer complex interdisciplinary questions. Studying Mohenjo-daro provides civil services examination candidates with fundamental knowledge to master ancient history through comprehensive learning.

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