Harappan civilization (Indus Valley Civilization)

The Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, thrived around 2600 to 1900 BCE in what is now Pakistan and northwest India. It was one of the world’s earliest urban cultures, marked by advanced city planning, including grid layouts, drainage systems, and standardized brick sizes. Major cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro featured impressive architecture and a focus on trade, with evidence of writing and various crafts. The civilization declined around 1900 BCE for reasons still debated, but its influence remains significant in understanding early human societies and urban development.