The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600–1900 BCE) was one of the world’s earliest urban societies. Major cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro featured grid-pattern streets, advanced drainage systems, and standardized brick architecture. Its people practiced agriculture, traded with Mesopotamia, and used seals for identification. Despite being literate, their script remains undeciphered.
The civilization lacked grand monuments or warfare artifacts, indicating a peaceful society. Decline occurred due to climate change, river shifts, or invasions. The Indus culture significantly influenced later Indian traditions in art, religion, and city planning.