Why do scholars believe that the Indus Valley had a highly developed civilization?
Scholars believe that the Indus Valley had a highly developed civilization due to several reasons. To understand why, we can look at the archaeological evidence and the inferences drawn from it.
1. Urban Planning: The Indus Valley civilization is renowned for its well-planned cities. Excavations at Mohenjo Daro and Harappa have revealed advanced urban planning systems. The cities were laid out in a grid pattern, with well-constructed brick houses, streets, and sewage systems. This level of organization indicates a sophisticated understanding of urban design and engineering.
2. Architecture: The Indus Valley civilization had impressive structures, such as the Great Bath in Mohenjo Daro. This structure demonstrates a knowledge of hydraulic systems and the use of advanced drainage techniques. The presence of citadels and granaries at these sites further reflects a well-organized and centralized governance system.
3. Trade and Economy: The Indus Valley civilization had extensive trade networks, evidenced by the discovery of artifacts like seals, beads, and pottery at various sites. These artifacts have been found across a wide geographic area, including Mesopotamia. The existence of an advanced trade network indicates a sophisticated economy, with the ability to produce surplus goods for trade.
4. Writing System: The Indus Valley civilization had a script that remains undeciphered. Thousands of inscriptions have been found on seals, pottery, and tablets, suggesting a form of writing. Although the script has not been fully deciphered, the presence of a writing system implies a level of literacy and communication beyond what was seen in many contemporary civilizations.
5. Social Organization: The layout of the cities and the presence of elaborate public infrastructure indicate a complex social structure. The absence of large palaces and monuments, compared to other contemporary civilizations, suggests a more egalitarian society. The presence of well-established trade networks, uniform weights and measures, and a standardized system of town planning further indicate a strong central authority that maintained order and governance.
These factors, among others, provide evidence for the advanced nature of the Indus Valley civilization. The interplay of urban planning, architecture, trade, writing, and social organization all point towards a highly developed society that flourished in the Indus Valley thousands of years ago.