📌 Topic 02 of 6 · Chapter 02 · Prehistoric India & IVC
Indus Valley Civilisation — Extent & Major Sites
IVC extent (2600–1900 BCE), major sites — Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Lothal, Dholavira, Kalibangan, Rakhigarhi.
📖 Indus Valley Civilisation — Overview
The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), also called the Harappan Civilisation, was one of the world’s earliest urban civilisations — contemporary with ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. It flourished from approximately 2600 to 1900 BCE in the Indus River valley and surrounding regions.
⭐ Key Facts:
• Discovered: 1921 (Harappa by Daya Ram Sahni) and 1922 (Mohenjo-daro by R.D. Banerji)
• Extent: ~1.3 million sq km — larger than ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia combined
• Sites discovered: 2,000+ sites; major sites in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan
• Largest site in India: Rakhigarhi (Haryana) — larger than Mohenjo-daro
• Largest site overall: Mohenjo-daro (Pakistan)
• Discovered: 1921 (Harappa by Daya Ram Sahni) and 1922 (Mohenjo-daro by R.D. Banerji)
• Extent: ~1.3 million sq km — larger than ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia combined
• Sites discovered: 2,000+ sites; major sites in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan
• Largest site in India: Rakhigarhi (Haryana) — larger than Mohenjo-daro
• Largest site overall: Mohenjo-daro (Pakistan)
🗺️ Extent of IVC
The IVC extended from Sutkagendor (Balochistan, Pakistan) in the west to Alamgirpur (Uttar Pradesh, India) in the east, and from Manda (Jammu) in the north to Daimabad (Maharashtra) in the south.
- North-South extent: ~1,400 km
- East-West extent: ~1,600 km
- Total area: ~1.3 million sq km
- Major rivers: Indus, Ghaggar-Hakra (ancient Saraswati), Ravi, Beas
🏛️ Major Sites of IVC
| Site | Location | Discoverer & Year | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harappa | Punjab, Pakistan (River Ravi) | Daya Ram Sahni, 1921 | First discovered site; granaries; workers’ quarters; cemetery R-37 |
| Mohenjo-daro | Sindh, Pakistan (River Indus) | R.D. Banerji, 1922 | Great Bath; largest IVC city; “Mound of the Dead” |
| Lothal | Gujarat, India | S.R. Rao, 1954 | Only dockyard; bead factory; fire altars; rice husk evidence |
| Dholavira | Gujarat, India (Rann of Kutch) | J.P. Joshi, 1967 | Largest IVC site in India; unique water conservation; signboard inscription; UNESCO World Heritage Site (2021) |
| Kalibangan | Rajasthan, India (River Ghaggar) | A. Ghosh, 1953 | Fire altars; ploughed field; earliest evidence of earthquake; pre-Harappan phase |
| Rakhigarhi | Haryana, India | Suraj Bhan, 1963 | Largest IVC site in India (larger than Mohenjo-daro); ongoing excavations |
| Banawali | Haryana, India | R.S. Bisht, 1973 | Lapis lazuli; good town planning; both pre-Harappan and Harappan phases |
| Surkotada | Gujarat, India | J.P. Joshi, 1964 | Horse bones (evidence of horse in IVC); fortified citadel |
| Chanhudaro | Sindh, Pakistan | N.G. Majumdar, 1931 | Only IVC site without citadel; bead-making factory; inkpot found |
| Alamgirpur | Uttar Pradesh, India | Y.D. Sharma, 1958 | Easternmost IVC site |
📝 Exam Tip — Most Asked IVC Sites:
• Lothal → Only dockyard → Gujarat
• Dholavira → Largest in India → Gujarat → UNESCO 2021
• Rakhigarhi → Largest overall in India → Haryana
• Kalibangan → Fire altars + ploughed field → Rajasthan
• Chanhudaro → No citadel → Pakistan
• Surkotada → Horse bones → Gujarat
• Lothal → Only dockyard → Gujarat
• Dholavira → Largest in India → Gujarat → UNESCO 2021
• Rakhigarhi → Largest overall in India → Haryana
• Kalibangan → Fire altars + ploughed field → Rajasthan
• Chanhudaro → No citadel → Pakistan
• Surkotada → Horse bones → Gujarat
📅 Phases of IVC
| Phase | Period | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Early Harappan | 3300–2600 BCE | Pre-urban; small settlements; proto-writing; Mehrgarh culture |
| Mature Harappan | 2600–1900 BCE | Urban phase; great cities; standardised weights; long-distance trade |
| Late Harappan | 1900–1300 BCE | Decline; smaller settlements; loss of urban features; Cemetery H culture |