Mohenjo-daro — A Masterpiece of the Indus Valley Civilization
Mohenjo-daro — A Masterpiece of the Indus Valley Civilization
Mohenjo-daro, known in Sindhi as Moen jo Daro and commonly referred to in Urdu as Moen jo Daro, was one of the most important and magnificent centers of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. These archaeological remains are located about 20 kilometers from Larkana and approximately 80 kilometers southwest of Sukkur.
This site lies around 686 miles away from another major center of the Indus Valley Civilization, Harappa, located in the Punjab region.
According to archaeologists, Mohenjo-daro was inhabited around 2600 BCE and declined around 1700 BCE due to unknown reasons. Possible causes of its decline include a change in the course of the Indus River, severe floods, foreign invasions, or earthquakes.
This great city was contemporary with the civilizations of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
In 1980, UNESCO declared Mohenjo-daro a World Heritage Site.
Discovery and Excavation History
In 1921, Rai Bahadur Daya Ram Sahni discovered the remains of an ancient civilization at Harappa. A year later, in 1922, Rakhaldas Banerji found similar remains at Mohenjo-daro.
This discovery was reported to the Archaeological Survey of India, whose Director General Sir John Marshall took special interest in these sites. Excavations were subsequently carried out under the supervision of Daya Ram Sahni, Ernest Mackay, and other experts. However, the excavation work has not yet been fully completed.
The discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization is considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century, as before 1922, the true extent and grandeur of this civilization were unknown.
Geographical Location and Flood Effects
Mohenjo-daro was built on an island-like landmass within the Indus River system.
On one side flowed the Indus River
On the other side was the Nara canal branching from the river
To protect the city from floods, a protective embankment about one mile long was constructed. Excavations reveal repeated evidence of flooding, which raised the city’s surface about 30 feet above the surrounding land.
General City Layout and Urban Planning
The overall plan of Mohenjo-daro closely resembled that of Harappa:
A citadel on the western side
Well-organized streets
Baked-brick houses
Granaries
An excellent drainage system
However, the most unique and prominent structure of Mohenjo-daro is the Great Bath.
The Great Bath — A Marvel of Ancient Engineering
The Great Bath is an impressive structure with a large central pool:
Length: 39 feet (north to south)
Width: 23 feet (east to west)
Depth: 8 feet
Brick staircases on the northern and southern sides allowed access to the pool, with wooden planks fixed on the steps.
To prevent water leakage, the walls and floor of the tank were coated with bitumen (natural hydrocarbon).
Experts believe that the Great Bath was used for religious and social rituals and was likely controlled by ruling religious authorities.
Citadel and Defensive System
The citadel of Mohenjo-daro was built on a high mound:
Southern height: 20 feet
Northern height: 40 feet
Seven occupational layers have been discovered beneath the citadel. Excavation below the seventh layer has not yet been possible.
Between the sixth and seventh layers, a 20-foot-thick layer of mud and bricks was found, indicating reconstruction after severe flooding.
The Granary
Located west of the Great Bath, the granary measured:
Length: 150 feet
Width: 75 feet
Compartments: 27
Ventilation ducts were built beneath the floor to preserve grain.
To the south of the granary, a 22-foot-wide staircase led to the highest level of the citadel.
Major Public Buildings
Several large public structures were discovered in Mohenjo-daro, including:
A 230.78-foot-long building, provisionally called a “college”
A great hall with seating for 100 people
A large residential palace measuring 250 feet in length
A possible travelers’ inn (caravanserai)
A structure known as the Pipal Temple, where a major statue was found
Residential Houses and Urban Life
The city was divided into rectangular blocks:
Each block: 1200 × 800 feet
Main streets: 30 feet wide
Smaller lanes: 5 to 10 feet wide
Houses included:
Wells
Bathrooms
Flush-system latrines
Underground drainage pipes
Windows were rarely used, indicating a strong concept of privacy and domestic seclusion in daily life.
Conclusion
Mohenjo-daro is not merely a city of bricks; it is a remarkable example of advanced urban planning, social organization, religious awareness, and scientific thinking.
It stands as clear evidence that thousands of years ago, the Indian subcontinent was home to a civilization far
ahead of its time.
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