2. Indus Valley Civilization is a Bronze Age
civilization. Its period extends from 3300 B.C
to 1300 B.C approximately. The period from
2600 B.C to 1900 B.C is called its Mature
Period.
3. Advanced Urban Culture
Their cities had straight streets.
They established the first known system of Flush
Toilets.
Their cities had proper sewerage system.
They built baths for probably some kind of ritual
purity.
Cities had protective walls around them.
Each city had small fort in it.
No proper worship places have been found.
No places (for kings) or such large living places
have been found.
4. Science
They had accurate, measuring & weighting system.
Their weights were in the ratio of 5:2:1. The Basic
unit of weight was of 28 grams.
They were experts in metallurgy. They produce
bronze, copper, lead & tin.
They could build large boats & ships. They had
also constructed docks for this purpose.
5. Arts
They could make figurines in terra cotta, bronze & other
materials.
They could make sculptures, seals, pots & gold jewelry.
According to Archaeologist, John Marshal they had
Achieved the level of Greeks Archaeologists 3000 years
before them.
They were also good at working with gem stones &
shells.
They were experts in makings Ceramics.
They make musical instruments which shaped like harp.
6. Trade & Agriculture
They used to trade with central Asian countries
Mesopotamia, Iran, Afghanistan & the Persian Gulf
countries.
Indus seals have been found at all these places.
They had achieved the good level in agriculture &
animal husbandry.
7. Writing
Their writing has not yet been deciphered.
About 600 symbols have been found.
Symbols are very small in size. In one case 17 symbols are
written in one square inch area.
They used to write from right to left.
Some scholars claimed that their writing predicts
Sumerian & Egyptian Writings.
8. Religion
Their religion is not known.
Ritual purity appears to be a part of their faith.
Proper worship Buildings did not exist.
Some figurines of humans & animals have been
found.
Swastika sign have been found, it could have a
religious value.
Earlier, they used to bury their dead. In later
period they started cremation.
9. Decline
Their decline started around 1800 B.C.
Exact reason is not known.
Change in climate around 1800 B.C could be one
factor.
Aryan invasion around 1700 B.C onwards could be
another factor.
Change in the course of river may have been another
factor.
During the period of decline, people shifted
eastwards. The few sites discovered in India are
mostly from the period between 1600 B.C to 1300B.C.