Introduction to the Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), also known as the Harappan Civilization, flourished around the middle of the third millennium BCE, approximately between 2750 and 1750 BCE. It is one of the world's oldest urban civilizations and was primarily located in present day Pakistan and northwest India. The name "Harappan" derives from the city of Harappa, which was one of the first sites discovered by archaeologists in the early 20th century.

The civilization is notable for its advanced urban planning, architecture, and social organization. The discovery of the IVC reshaped historians' and archaeologists' understanding of early human societies and their capabilities, highlighting a level of sophistication comparable to contemporary civilizations like Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt.