Why was harappa and mohenjo daro important in Indus Valley Civilizations?
I'm sure your text materials cover these cities, but this does too:
http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/indus.htm
Harappa and Mohenjo Daro were two major cities of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, which thrived around 2600 to 1900 BCE in what is now modern-day Pakistan and India. These cities were incredibly important for several reasons:
1. Urban Planning: Harappa and Mohenjo Daro were exceptionally well-planned cities for their time. They featured grid-like layouts with streets and buildings constructed using standardized bricks, indicating high levels of organization and central authority within the civilization.
2. Advanced infrastructure: The cities had an advanced drainage system, with interconnected brick-lined sewerage systems running under the streets. This suggests a sophisticated understanding of hygiene and urban planning.
3. Trade and Commerce: Both cities were strategically located along trade routes, which allowed them to flourish as important centers of trade and commerce. Archaeological evidence indicates trade links with regions as far as Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) and Egypt, showcasing the extent of their commercial activities.
4. Cultural and Artistic Development: Harappa and Mohenjo Daro were hubs of artistic and cultural expression, as evidenced by the discovery of intricate stone carvings, pottery, statues, and jewelry. These artistic relics provide insights into the social, religious, and economic aspects of the Indus Valley Civilization.
5. Social Organization: The well-planned cities, standardized measures, and uniform architecture found in Harappa and Mohenjo Daro point to a centralized authority governing the social and economic aspects of the civilization. This suggests a sophisticated level of social organization and administration.
To understand the importance of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, it is essential to explore the archaeological discoveries, research scholarly articles, and study historical accounts. These sources provide insights into the excavation findings, trade networks, societal structures, and cultural practices of the Indus Valley Civilization.