What were the major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization?

The major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization were Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. These two cities were the most prominent and well-planned urban centers of the civilization, which flourished around 2600 to 1900 BCE in what is now modern-day Pakistan and northwest India.

Harappa, located in present-day Punjab, Pakistan, was the first city of the Indus Valley Civilization to be discovered in the 1920s. It was a significant center of trade and commerce, covering an area of approximately 150 hectares. The city was divided into two parts, the Citadel and the Lower Town. The Citadel was a raised platform where the ruling elite resided, while the Lower Town was a densely populated area with well-organized streets, houses, and public buildings. Harappa had an advanced drainage system, with well-built brick-lined sewers, indicating a high level of urban planning and engineering skills.

Mohenjo-daro, situated in present-day Sindh, Pakistan, was another major city of the Indus Valley Civilization. It was discovered in the 1920s and is considered one of the most well-preserved urban settlements of the ancient world. Mohenjo-daro covered an area of around 250 hectares and had a population estimated to be around 40,000. The city was also divided into two main parts, the Citadel and the Lower Town. The Citadel housed the ruling elite and had large public buildings, including a Great Bath, which was a large water tank believed to have been used for ritual bathing. The Lower Town had well-planned streets, houses with private bathrooms, and an advanced drainage system similar to Harappa.

Apart from Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, there were several other smaller cities and towns associated with the Indus Valley Civilization. Some notable ones include Dholavira in present-day Gujarat, India, which had an impressive water management system, Lothal in Gujarat, known for its dockyard and maritime trade, and Kalibangan in Rajasthan, India, which had a fortified citadel and evidence of early ploughed fields.

The cities of the Indus Valley Civilization were characterized by their advanced urban planning, sophisticated architecture, and efficient systems of sanitation and water management. These cities played a crucial role in the economic, social, and cultural development of the civilization, showcasing the remarkable achievements of one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world.