Indus Valley Civilization (IVC)

The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) was an advanced Bronze Age culture that flourished around 2500 BCE in what is now Pakistan and northwest India. Known for its well-planned cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, it featured sophisticated drainage systems, grid-like streets, and standardized baked-brick buildings. The society engaged in trade, developed a writing system (still partly undeciphered), and had rich crafts such as pottery and bead-making. Its decline around 1900 BCE remains a mystery, possibly due to environmental changes or invasions. The IVC is considered one of the world's earliest urban civilizations, highlighting remarkable planning and cultural development.