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. Harappa was located in present-day Pakistan, near the Ravi River, while Mohenjo-daro was situated in present-day Pakistan, near the Indus River.

Harappa was discovered in the 1920s by archaeologists and is believed to have been inhabited between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE. The city covered an area of around 150 hectares and had a well-organized layout with streets and buildings made of baked bricks. The city had a sophisticated drainage system, public baths, and granaries, indicating a high level of urban planning and engineering skills.

Mohenjo-daro, discovered in the 1920s as well, was one of the largest cities of the Indus Valley Civilization. It is estimated to have been inhabited between 2500 BCE and 1900 BCE. The city covered an area of around 250 hectares and had a complex urban layout with well-laid-out streets and buildings. Like Harappa, Mohenjo-daro also had an advanced drainage system, public baths, and granaries. The Great Bath, a large public bathing area, is one of the most famous structures of the city.

Apart from Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, there were several other smaller cities and towns that were part of the Indus Valley Civilization. Some of these include Dholavira, Lothal, Kalibangan, and Rakhigarhi. These cities also exhibited similar characteristics of urban planning, advanced architecture, and sophisticated systems of water management.

The major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization were centers of trade, commerce, and cultural exchange. They played a crucial role in the development of the civilization and showcased the advanced level of social organization and technological advancements achieved by the people of that time. The decline of the Indus Valley Civilization is still a subject of debate among historians, but the major cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro remain as significant archaeological sites, providing valuable insights into the ancient civilization.