Textbook
Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)
Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.
Indus / Harappan Civilization
Civilization
Level 2
★ Major power
c. 3,300–1,300 BCE
Bronze Age urban civilization of the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra basins.
- Also known as
- Indus Valley Civilization
- Capital
- Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Dholavira
- Region
- Northwest
- Duration
- 2,000 years
- Main period
- Indus / Harappan Civilization
Changing extent
- c. 3,300 BCE — ≈ 560,000 km²: Early Harappan regional cultures (Hakra, Kot Diji, Sothi)
- c. 2,600 BCE — ≈ 1,060,000 km²: Mature Harappan: Sutkagen Dor to Alamgirpur, Manda to Gujarat
- c. 1,900 BCE — ≈ 430,000 km²: Late Harappan: settlement shifts east (Punjab, Haryana, Ganga–Yamuna doab) and to Gujarat
Approximate extent over time (solid = latest, dashed = earlier).
At a glance
Move along the chart to read any year; click a ruler or event to open the map there.
Dynasties
| Dynasty | Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Early Harappan Cultures | c. 3,300–2,600 BCE | Regional cultures (Hakra, Kot Diji, Sothi) that preceded the cities. |
| Mature Harappan Civilization | c. 2,600–1,900 BCE | The urban peak of the civilization. |
| Late Harappan Cultures | c. 1,900–1,300 BCE | Regional post-urban cultures such as Cemetery H and Jhukar. |
Key events
| Year | Event | Place |
|---|---|---|
| c. 3,300 BCE | Early Harappan phase begins Regional cultures lay the foundations of the cities. |
Harappa |
| c. 2,600 BCE | Mature Harappan urban phase begins Planned cities with drains, granaries and standardised bricks appear. |
Mohenjo-daro |
| c. 2,500 BCE | Dholavira's reservoirs and 'signboard' | Dholavira |
| c. 2,400 BCE | Lothal dockyard in use | Lothal |
| c. 2,300 BCE | Harappan trade with Mesopotamia ('Meluhha') Mesopotamian texts refer to ships from Meluhha. |
Lothal |
| c. 1,900 BCE | Decline of the Harappan cities Cities are abandoned; settlement shifts east and regionalises. |
Indus basin |
| c. 1,750 BCE | Kalibangan abandoned | Kalibangan |
| c. 1,300 BCE | Cemetery H culture at Harappa | Harappa |
Sites & monuments
Harappa
Archaeological site · c. 3,300 BCE
Type site of the civilization, on the Ravi.
Rakhigarhi
Archaeological site · c. 3,300 BCE
One of the largest Harappan sites.
Kalibangan
Archaeological site · c. 3,300 BCE
Ploughed field and fire altars.
Dholavira
Archaeological site · c. 3,000 BCE
Water reservoirs and signboard; UNESCO site.
Mohenjo-daro
Archaeological site · c. 2,600 BCE
Great Bath and planned grid.
Ganweriwala
Archaeological site · c. 2,600 BCE
Large site in Cholistan.
Lothal
Port · c. 2,400 BCE
Dockyard and bead factory.
📚 Recommended reading on the Indus / Harappan Civilization
Reference
A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India
The most complete modern textbook on ancient India, rich in sources, maps and archaeology.
Reference
Ancient Cities of the Indus Valley Civilization
An archaeologist's lavishly illustrated account of the Harappan cities.
Popular history
Early Indians
A lively look at who the first Indians were, drawing on genetics and archaeology.
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Contemporaries
Powers that coexisted with the Indus / Harappan Civilization for a significant part of its history. The bar shows when, within its own span.
Mehrgarh Cultural Tradition ★
Northwest · c. 7,000–2,600 BCE
Overlap: 700 years
Early Vedic Communities ★
Northwest · c. 1,500–1,000 BCE
Overlap: 200 years
Neolithic Kashmir (Burzahom)
North · c. 3,000–1,500 BCE
Overlap: 1,500 years
South Indian Neolithic (Ash-mound cultures)
South · c. 3,000–1,200 BCE
Overlap: 1,700 years
Chalcolithic Cultures
Central · c. 3,000–700 BCE
Overlap: 1,700 years
Ochre Coloured Pottery Culture
Gangetic Plain · c. 2,000–1,500 BCE
Overlap: 500 years