Discovery of the Harappan Civilisation

Indus Valley Civilisation 1mLesson 1 · Unit 2

Discovery

The Harappan Civilisation was brought to light in the 1920s. Daya Ram Sahni excavated Harappa (1921) and R. D. Banerji excavated Mohenjo-daro (1922), under the Archaeological Survey of India led by Sir John Marshall.

Extent

It spread over parts of present-day Pakistan and north-western India — from Manda (Jammu) in the north to Daimabad (Maharashtra) in the south, and from Sutkagendor (Balochistan) in the west to Alamgirpur (Uttar Pradesh) in the east.

Why It Matters

One of the earliest urban civilisations of the world.
Planned cities with grid streets and covered drains.
A script that is still not deciphered.