Mohenjo-Daro

Definition

Mohenjo-Daro is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Indus Valley Civilization, located in present-day Pakistan. It was a major urban center, showcasing advanced urban planning, sophisticated drainage systems, and a grid-like street layout, highlighting the civilization's impressive engineering and organizational skills. The city played a crucial role in understanding the social, economic, and cultural aspects of the Indus Valley people.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Mohenjo-Daro was built around 2500 BCE and is estimated to have had a population of around 40,000 inhabitants at its peak.
2. The city featured a highly organized layout with streets arranged in a grid pattern, demonstrating advanced urban planning for its time.
3. Mohenjo-Daro had a sophisticated drainage system, with covered drains along the streets that showcased the importance of sanitation to its residents.
4. The Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro is one of the earliest public water tanks known in history, indicating the significance of ritual bathing or water management in their culture.
5. Despite extensive excavation efforts, the script used by the Indus Valley Civilization remains undeciphered, leaving many aspects of Mohenjo-Daro's culture a mystery.

Review Questions

• How does the urban planning of Mohenjo-Daro reflect the values and priorities of the Indus Valley Civilization?
  • The urban planning of Mohenjo-Daro highlights the values and priorities of the Indus Valley Civilization through its emphasis on organization, sanitation, and communal spaces. The grid layout indicates a systematic approach to city design that facilitated efficient movement and accessibility. Furthermore, the advanced drainage systems demonstrate a commitment to hygiene and public health, while features like the Great Bath suggest a cultural importance placed on ritual cleanliness and social gatherings.
• Discuss how Mohenjo-Daro's architecture and infrastructure contribute to our understanding of trade practices in the Indus Valley Civilization.
  • Mohenjo-Daro's architecture and infrastructure provide insights into the trade practices of the Indus Valley Civilization through features such as standardized weights and measures found in excavated artifacts. The city's strategic location along trade routes allowed for interaction with neighboring regions. Additionally, its complex storage facilities indicate an organized approach to managing surplus goods for trade, suggesting that Mohenjo-Daro was not just a residential hub but also an economic center influencing regional commerce.
• Evaluate the significance of Mohenjo-Daro in understanding the broader context of early urban civilizations and their development.
  • Mohenjo-Daro serves as a key example in evaluating early urban civilizations by showcasing how societies developed complex social structures, technological innovations, and economic systems. Its remarkable urban planning reflects advanced governance that could support large populations. Moreover, examining Mohenjo-Daro alongside contemporaneous civilizations highlights shared challenges such as resource management and trade dynamics. This context allows for deeper insights into how early urban centers influenced cultural exchanges and laid foundations for future civilizations across the globe.

Related terms

Indus Valley Civilization: An ancient civilization that thrived along the Indus River, known for its advanced urban centers like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, and its unique script and trade networks.

Harappa: Another prominent city of the Indus Valley Civilization, located near the Ravi River, known for its similarly sophisticated urban layout and architecture as Mohenjo-Daro.

Urban Planning: The design and organization of cities, which in the case of Mohenjo-Daro included well-planned streets, residential areas, and public baths.