Mohenjo-daro is an archaeological site in the Sindh province. It was one of the greatest communities of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation, with uniform bricks, street grids, and covered sewage systems. It was built approximately 2500 BCE. It was one of the world's first great towns, existing with ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Minoan Crete, and Norte Chico civilizations. This article will explain to you the Mohenjodaro which will be helpful in Ancient History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Mohenjodaro

• Mohenjodaro, is a collection of mounds and ruins on the Indus River's right bank in northern Sindh province, Pakistan.
• It's about 50 miles (80 kilometres) southwest of Sukkur, on the Indus' flat alluvial plain.
• The name Mohenjo-Daro means "Mound of the Dead," and it is the most well-known Indus site.
• The site features the ruins of one of two major Indus civilisation centres (c. 2500–1700BCE), the other being Harappa, about 400 miles (640 kilometres) to the northwest in Pakistan's Punjab state.
• It was one of the most important towns of the Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, which sprang from the prehistoric Indus civilization circa 3,000 BCE.
• In 1922, R.D. Banerjee, E. J. H. MacKay, and Marshall explored the Mohenjodaro remains for the first time.

Mohenjodaro - Features

• Mohenjo-Daro was the Indus Valley civilization's biggest metropolis. Both Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro can be considered the civilization's capital cities.
• The people of the ancient Indus civilisation metropolis of Mohenjo Daro were excellent urban designers with a regard for water control, as evidenced by a well-planned street grid and an intricate drainage system.
• There are no extravagant palaces, temples, or monuments in the city. There is no visible central government seat, nor is there any indication of a king or queen.
• It appears that modesty, order, and cleanliness were valued. Copper and stone tools, as well as pottery, were standardised. Seals and weights imply a strictly controlled commerce system.
• Mohenjo-daro had no city walls, but it was fortified to the west of the main town with watch towers and defensive structures to the south.
• Mohenjo-daro was an administrative hub, according to these fortifications and the construction of other significant Indus valley towns like Harappa.

Mohenjodaro - Buildings

• The Great Bath is the most well-known structure of Mohenjo-Daro. It is a 612 metre long brickwork masterpiece.
• It contains a tank with dimensions of 11.887.01 metres in length and width and a depth of 2.43 metres, as well as steps on the north and south sides.
• The bath's water came from a well in another room.
• The bricks made up the floor. The floor and outside walls were bituminized to prevent water leaks. On four sides of the bath, there are open porches.
• The greatest construction of the Mohenjodaro period has been discovered: a granary. This granary consists of 27 chambers of various sizes and shapes.
• Another important structure at Mohenjodaro is the Assembly Hall, which is a square pillared hall measuring 90X90 feet. Scholars agree that this pillared hall served as a social meeting place.
• It is apparent that the citadel (for that is what it was) housed the site's religious and ceremonial centre.
• There were enormous courtyard buildings in the lower town, indicating a significant middle class.
• A courtyard, kitchen, and well are included in every home. At Mohenjo-Daro, all homes have sufficient light and drainage facilities.
• Most homes had modest bathrooms and were well-equipped with drainage and sanitation, just like the streets.
• At the very least, brick steps suggest an upper storey or a level, livable roof.

Mohenjodaro - Notable artefacts

• Artefacts like ivory, lapis, carnelian, and gold beads, as well as the baked-brick city buildings, demonstrate the city's richness and prominence.
• One of the most fascinating figures from the Indus Valley Civilization is the sculpture titled 'Mother Goddess'. This terracotta sculpture has been made by hand.

• It has its origin in Mohenjodaro, Pakistan and dates back to Circa 2500 BCE.
• The Priest-King is a steatite sculpture of a tiny man figure discovered at Mohenjo-daro, a destroyed Bronze Age city.
• The competent head and shoulders of a bearded man with a low forehead, narrowing and slightly supercilious eyes, a fillet round the brow, and a cloak carved in relief with trefoils earlier filled with crimson paste across the left shoulder are among the few pieces of stone sculpture.

• Dancing Girl is a prehistoric bronze sculpture created in lost-wax casting around 2300–1750 BC at Mohenjo-daro, one of the first settlements of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
• A renowned bronze of a young dancing girl, naked save for a myriad of armlets, is the city's most prominent work of figurative art.

• Small yet powerful depictions of bulls and buffalo stand out among the numerous terra-cottas.
• Female sculptures may have ornate headdresses, and male and female miniatures of little, obese grotesques occasionally reveal a harsh sense of humour.
• The Pashupati Seal, for which the term "so-called" is often used, is a steatite seal.
• The depiction of a sitting, cross-legged, presumably ithyphallic person surrounded by animals was discovered on a seal found at the site.
• Some academics see the image as a yogi, while others see it as a three-headed "proto-Shiva" who rules over the animals.

Mohenjodaro - Social life

• Cities are emblems of the Indus Valley civilization, characterised by high population density, close integration of economic and social processes, technological advancements, careful planning for trade and commerce expansion and promotion, and providing opportunities and scope of work to artisans and craftsmen, among other things.
• Unicorns, also known as Pashupati / Proto-shiva, seven mothers (sapta matrika), and compound creatures are the most renowned religious figures.
• The last three are now part of the Hindu faith.
• The presence of the mother deity indicates that the culture was largely matriarchal.
• A division of labour existed, and society was diverse and stratified. Scholars, artisans, traders, soldiers, and businesspeople made up the population.
• As represented on seals, the protoshiva or pashupati appears to be the sole male deity.
• In Mohenjo-Daro, a figurine of a bearded man was discovered, indicating that they wore stitched clothes.
• The fabric used to wrap the top half of the body's torso in such a way that the right hand remained free.

Decline of Mohenjodaro

• The evidence implies that Mohenjo-daro saw many severe floods of unusual depth and duration, owing not only to the approaching Indus.
• But also to structural uplifts between Mohenjo-daro and the sea, which caused the Indus drainage to pond back.
• According to this data, Harappa may have succeeded—or at the very least outlasted—Mohenjo-daro.

Conclusion

Mohenjo Daro is a collection of mounds and ruins on the right bank of the Indus River in Pakistan's northern Sindh province. The site contains the ruins of one of two major Indus civilisation centres (c. 2500–1700 BCE), the other being Harappa, which is located about 400 miles (640 kilometres) to the northwest in Pakistan's Punjab province. It coexisted alongside ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Minoan Crete, and Norte Chico civilizations as one of the world's earliest large settlements.

FAQs

Q1: What is Mohenjodaro?

Q2: What are the key features of Mohenjodaro?

Q3: Why is the Great Bath at Mohenjodaro significant?

Q4: What were the main economic activities in Mohenjodaro?

Q5: How was Mohenjodaro discovered?

MCQs

1. What does the name "Mohenjodaro" mean?

a) Mound of the Dead

b) City of Peace

c) Great City

d) Place of Living

2. Which feature is NOT associated with Mohenjodaro?

a) Advanced drainage system

b) Multi-storied houses

c) Stone temples

d) Grid-like street planning

3. Which material was primarily used for constructing houses in Mohenjodaro?

a) Wood

b) Bricks

c) Stone

d) Mud

4. What does the Great Bath at Mohenjodaro indicate?

a) Agricultural practices

b) Importance of trade

c) Ritualistic practices

d) Military power

5. What was a primary source of trade for the people of Mohenjodaro?

a) Agriculture

b) Manufacturing textiles

c) Bead making and pottery

d) Mining

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the urban planning and architecture of Mohenjodaro and its significance in the context of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Answer: Mohenjodaro exemplifies the remarkable urban planning and architectural achievements of the Indus Valley Civilization. The city's layout features a grid pattern, with streets intersecting at right angles, facilitating efficient movement and organization. The use of baked bricks for construction ensured durability, while the advanced drainage system indicates a high level of civic engineering. Public structures like the Great Bath highlight the societal emphasis on cleanliness and possibly religious rituals. This architectural sophistication reflects not only the technical skills of the people but also their understanding of urban life, health, and governance, marking Mohenjodaro as a key site in understanding ancient civilizations.

Q2: Analyze the economic activities of Mohenjodaro and their impact on its society.

Answer: The economy of Mohenjodaro was multifaceted, primarily based on agriculture, trade, and artisanal production. The fertile plains of the Indus River supported agriculture, allowing for surplus production, which in turn supported a growing population. Trade played a vital role, with evidence of seals indicating commerce with other regions, including Mesopotamia. Craft production, particularly in beads and pottery, was a significant economic activity that fostered skilled craftsmanship and economic specialization. This diverse economic base not only provided sustenance but also enhanced social stratification, as wealth generated from trade and crafts likely contributed to the emergence of a more complex societal structure in Mohenjodaro.

Q3: Evaluate the importance of Mohenjodaro in understanding the Indus Valley Civilization.

Answer: Mohenjodaro is crucial for comprehending the Indus Valley Civilization due to its well-preserved archaeological remains, which provide insight into urban life, culture, and technology of the era. The site showcases advanced urban planning with its grid layout, sophisticated drainage systems, and public baths, indicating a high level of civic organization and public health awareness. Additionally, the diverse economic activities, including agriculture, trade, and craft production, reveal the complexities of its society. The discovery of seals and artifacts offers clues to their trade networks and social practices. Thus, Mohenjodaro stands as a key representative of the achievements and lifestyle of one of the world's earliest urban civilizations.

Previous Year Questions on  Mohenjodaro

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019

Question: Which of the following statements regarding Mohenjodaro is correct?

a) It was built around 4000 BCE.

b) It is located in present-day India.

c) The Great Bath is one of its prominent structures.

d) It was primarily a religious center.

Answer: c) The Great Bath is one of its prominent structures.

Explanation: Mohenjodaro, one of the key sites of the Indus Valley Civilization, features the Great Bath, highlighting its significance in urban planning and possible ritual practices.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2021

Question: “Mohenjodaro is a hallmark of urban planning in ancient civilizations.” Discuss its architectural features and urban layout. (200 words)

Answer: Mohenjodaro exemplifies advanced urban planning, characterized by a systematic grid layout with streets arranged at right angles, facilitating organized movement and traffic. The use of uniform, baked bricks in construction reflects technological sophistication and architectural consistency. Key structures, including the Great Bath and large granaries, suggest a focus on public health and storage capacity for agricultural surplus. The drainage system was highly developed, with covered drains along streets, showcasing the civilization’s understanding of sanitation and hygiene. These features indicate a well-thought-out civic design aimed at accommodating a large population and maintaining order. The planning reflects an advanced society with structured governance and social organization, positioning Mohenjodaro as a crucial reference for understanding urbanism in ancient civilizations.