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Mohenjo Daro, one of the most fascinating ancient sites, is located in Sindh, Pakistan, near the lower Indus River. It was discovered in 1922 by Indian archaeologist R.D. Banerji, who found a 4,500-year-old flint scraper while exploring the area. This discovery led Banerji to believe there might be an ancient city nearby, prompting excavations. Soon, seals with mysterious symbols and animal images were uncovered. Banerji sent these findings to Sir John Marshall, whose attention helped bring Mohenjo Daro to global prominence.
Mohenjo Daro Not Just a City, But a Civilization:
Mohenjo Daro was not only the largest city of the Indus Valley Civilization but also one of the first examples of a well-planned city in the world. The name “Mohenjo Daro” comes from the Sindhi language, which means “The Mound of Dead.” Built around 2500 BCE, excavation work at Mohenjo Daro continued from 1925 to 1964. The site spans 633 acres, but only about 12–15% of it has been uncovered, leaving much of the city still buried beneath the earth.
A city built with advanced urban planning:
Even though only a small part of the city has been excavated, the findings have given us a clear picture of how advanced the Indus Valley Civilization was. The city was carefully planned with streets in a grid pattern running north to south, dividing it into two main parts: the Upper City (Citadel) and the Lower City.
The Upper City “Citadel”:
The Upper City, or Citadel, was a strong, protected area in Mohenjo-Daro, likely used for government and religion. It had important buildings like a granary, a college, and the Great Bath, the oldest public bath ever found. The Great Bath, 12 meters long and 7 meters wide, might have been used for religious ceremonies or as an early swimming pool. The Citadel also had a large hall with 20 pillars, which may have been used for meetings.
The Lower City “Residential and Commercial Life”:
The Lower City of Mohenjo Daro was where most people lived and worked, with numerous workshops, markets, and homes. Wealthier residents lived in larger, two-story houses, as evidenced by the presence of stairs and pillars. These homes were likely located on the east side of the citadel. The Lower City also had workshops for making pottery, beads, and other goods, as well as bustling markets for trade. Archaeologists have also discovered terracotta cones, which may have been used to track time by observing the movement of sunlight.
Mohenjo Daro “A Hub of Craftsmanship, Trade, and Culture”:
Mohenjo Daro was a lively centre for trade and craftsmanship, with items found here after digging like mirrors, jewellery, fishing hooks, and grinding stones showing the people’s skill and variety. The city had an advanced drainage system and over 700 wells, highlighting its smart engineering. The famous Priest-King statue likely represents a powerful leader, while the Dancing Girl statue shows the city’s love for art. Together, these discoveries reveal the social, cultural, and technological achievements of Mohenjo Daro.
The Mystery of the Indus Script:
One of the biggest mysteries of Mohenjo Daro is the Indus Script, which is a set of symbols or pictures used by the people of the Indus Valley. The script is written from right to left, but no one has fully figured out what it means yet. Some experts think it might have been used to record trade or keep records, but the exact meaning is still unknown.
Mohenjo Daro “A Global Discovery”:
When Sir John Marshall published his article in the Illustrated London News on September 20, 1924, the world was introduced to Mohenjo Daro. Before this, most attention was focused on ancient civilizations like Egypt, but Marshall’s announcement marked the beginning of a new chapter in human history. The city’s advanced urban planning, innovative design, and remarkable craftsmanship captivated both archaeologists and the public, sparking widespread fascination.
The Decline of Mohenjo Daro:
Archaeologists believe that Mohenjo Daro had a population of around 50,000 to 100,000 people at that time. However, the city was eventually abandoned for reasons that are still not fully understood. Some experts think the people might have moved to other areas due to heavy flooding, and it’s possible they moved to nearby regions because similar cultural traits are still found in different parts of Sindh. One of the main reasons Mohenjo Daro is still famous is because of its most well-known building, a Buddhist stupa that was constructed on the site about 2,000 years after the city’s civilization declined.
Mohenjo Daro Today:
Today, Mohenjo Daro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is very important in the history of human civilization. However, the site is facing big problems because of the weather and the damage to the uncovered ruins. The government of Pakistan has stopped further digging to protect the site from getting worse. If steps are not taken soon to protect and preserve it, there is a real risk that this important part of our history could be lost forever.
Conclusion “The Legacy of Mohenjo Daro”:
Mohenjo Daro is an amazing example of how smart and advanced the people of the Indus Valley Civilization were. The city had advanced planning, good drainage systems, and skilled craftsmanship. The mystery of the Indus script also adds to its importance. Although we still don’t know everything like the true purpose of the Great Bath or what the Indus Script means the city still fascinates archaeologists, historians, and visitors from all over the world. It is very important to protect Mohenjo Daro so future generations can keep learning from this incredible piece of history.
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