Mohenjo-Daro

Definition

Mohenjo-Daro is an ancient city of the Indus Valley Civilization, located in present-day Pakistan, known for its advanced urban planning and sophisticated drainage system. This city is a prime example of early urbanization, showcasing the rise of complex societies and their ability to organize resources and labor for large-scale construction. Its strategic layout and infrastructure indicate significant developments in trade, social organization, and cultural practices during its time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Mohenjo-Daro was built around 2500 BCE and is one of the best-preserved urban sites from the Indus Valley Civilization.
2. The city featured a complex drainage system that was advanced for its time, highlighting the inhabitants' understanding of sanitation and water management.
3. Its layout included well-planned streets, public baths, and granaries, indicating organized governance and social structure.
4. Evidence suggests that trade was vital to Mohenjo-Daro's economy, with artifacts pointing to connections with distant regions such as Mesopotamia.
5. The decline of Mohenjo-Daro around 1900 BCE is still a subject of research, with theories suggesting climate change, river shifts, or invasion as possible factors.

Review Questions

• How did the urban planning of Mohenjo-Daro reflect the society's ability to manage resources effectively?
  • The urban planning of Mohenjo-Daro demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of resource management through its grid layout and advanced drainage system. The streets were laid out systematically, which facilitated efficient transportation and access. Additionally, the presence of public baths and granaries indicates organized efforts to maintain hygiene and food storage, reflecting a society that prioritized public health and effective resource allocation.
• Discuss the economic implications of trade networks associated with Mohenjo-Daro.
  • Mohenjo-Daro was strategically positioned to engage in trade with various regions, including Mesopotamia. The discovery of standardized weights and measures suggests that trade was well-regulated. Artifacts such as seals indicate that goods like textiles, metals, and beads were exchanged, which not only enhanced the city's wealth but also facilitated cultural exchanges that influenced social practices and technological innovations within the civilization.
• Evaluate the impact of social organization on cultural practices at Mohenjo-Daro.
  • The social organization at Mohenjo-Daro likely influenced its cultural practices significantly. The structured urban environment indicates a community that valued cooperation for public works like drainage systems and granaries. This communal effort may have fostered cultural activities centered around public spaces such as baths and marketplaces. Additionally, the standardization seen in weights, measures, and possibly even craft production hints at a shared cultural identity that was vital for maintaining order within such an advanced society.

Related terms

Indus Valley Civilization: One of the world's earliest urban cultures, existing around 2500 BCE to 1900 BCE in the northwestern regions of South Asia, characterized by advanced city planning and architecture.

Harappa: Another major urban center of the Indus Valley Civilization, often mentioned alongside Mohenjo-Daro due to their similar characteristics in urban design and culture.

Urban Planning: The technical and political process involved in designing and regulating land use in urban areas, evident in the grid-like layout and public infrastructure of Mohenjo-Daro.