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Indus-Saraswati Civilization: Extent, Features, and Debates
July 19, 20264 min read
Indus-Saraswati Civilization: Extent, Features, and Debates
Introduction
The Indus-Saraswati Civilization (also called Harappan Civilization) flourished between ~3300 BCE and 1300 BCE in the river basins of the Indus and the now-dry Saraswati (Ghaggar-Hakra). It is one of the three great early civilizations of the Old World (along with Mesopotamia and Egypt), known for its urban planning, standardized weights and measures, and undeciphered script.
Chronology and Extent
Periodization
| Phase | Period | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Harappan (Early Harappan) | 7000-3300 BCE | Neolithic-Chalcolithic settlements; Mehrgarh (Balochistan) |
| Mature Harappan | 3300-1900 BCE | Peak urbanization; standardized culture |
| Late Harappan | 1900-1300 BCE | Decline; de-urbanization; regional variations |
Geographic Extent
- Area: ~1.5 million sq km (larger than Egypt and Mesopotamia combined)
- Known sites: 2,000+ sites discovered (600+ excavated)
- Extreme points: Shortughai (Afghanistan) - north; Daimabad (Maharashtra) - south; Sutkagen-dor (Pakistan coast) - west; Alamgirpur (UP) - east
- Core region: Indus Valley, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Sindh, Balochistan
Major Sites
| Site | Location | Key Discovery |
|---|
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