INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION ARCHITECTURE

Published on 26 Aug 2025

The mature phase of Indus Valley Civilisation extending from 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE witnessed the development of some of the earliest big buildings in India. Their discovery and excavation in the 19th and 20th centuries provided important archaeological data regarding the civilization’s architecture, technology, art, trade, transportation, writing, and religion.

Significance of Architecture of Indus Valley Civilization

Cultural Significance

Indigenous in nature: The architectural practices evolved from local cultures that had roots extending back thousands of years to the earliest farming and pastoral communities.

Example: They constructed their houses on immense platforms of mud bricks.

Construction technique: Use of standard sized bricks, often laid in a checkerboard pattern, display precision and craftmanship

Example: The uniformity of size of bricks used in state Harappa

Urban planning: The systematic layout of the cities reflects a centralized authority and a sophisticated understanding of town planning.

Example: The street grid pattern at Mohenjodaro and Harappa

Large scale structures: It denotes the prevalence of public baths and thus importance of ritualistic cleansing in that era.

Example: Great Bath at Mohenjodaro demonstrate advanced engineering skill and ritualistic practices in the civilization.

Defensive fortification: The fortification exemplifies the civilization’s concern for security and protection. The mud bricks were used for the construction.

Example: Kalibangan, Kot Diji were protected by fortification wall.

Public buildings: Public buildings like assembly halls, granaries, and marketplaces were constructed on raised platforms, emphasizing communal social and economic activities.

Example: The large hall – ‘Pillared Hall’ at Mohenjodaro showcase the communal space for gathering and activities

Symbolism and Decoration: They reflect the civilization’s artistic sensibility and cultural expressions. Pottery, seals and other artifacts depict animal figures, human forms and geometric pattern etc.

Example: Decorative motifs and symbols such as, ‘Unicorn’ or ‘Bull’ seen on seals.

Class distinction: division of cities into Lower town and citadel differ in location and socio-economic status. Lower town, at lower elevation, is associated with the working class, while the upper town, at higher elevation, is linked to wealth and affluence.

Significance of planning

Utilitarian perspective: It gave the idea of the welfare of workers for the first time by establishing separate worker’s quarters which has now become a necessity in a welfare state.
Social order: City planning indicates a centralized authority overseeing urban organization, reflecting social order and governance within the civilization.

Example: The systematic layout and organization of Mohenjodaro and Harappa indicate a well-structured social order within the civilization.

Water management: As Harappan agriculture mainly depended on monsoon, they constructed canals for better production and to prevent their crops from adverse climatic conditions.

Example: Reservoir at Dholavira.

Town planning: Cities are in parallelogramic form laid out in a regular grid pattern. The roads ran in north-south and east-west direction and cut each other at right angles.

Example: Mohenjodaro

No monuments to armament or battle: While other civilizations’ art has numerous depictions of prisoners, monuments to military triumphs, and other warfare-related activities, the Indus Valley's art does not contain a single such portrayal.
Trade and Development: Evidences mainly from West Asian Cities shows that they traded extensively with other civilizations.

Example: Lothal was important port town for trade.

Drainage system: The well-planned drainage systems prevent waterlogging and contribute to cleanliness and hygiene.

Example: Drainage system at Mohenjodaro with interconnected networks.

Granaries: These were grain storage bins designed with strategic air ducts and raised platforms.

Example: Mohenjodaro and Harappa

Religious Practices of Indus Valley Civilization as observed from their Art and Culture

Symbolism and Iconography: Animal figures, including unicorns, bulls, and various other creatures, are commonly depicted.

Example: ‘Pashupati Seal’ represents a deity or a significant religious figure.

Ritualistic objects: Various objects associated made of copper or bronze used to perform religious ceremonies and the presence of specific rituals within the civilization.

Example: Terracotta figurines of mother goddesses indicate the importance of fertility and motherhood.

Worship of nature: Nature worship and reverence for natural elements are evident in their artwork and culture.

Example: The "tree-like deity" depicted on seals represents nature deity.

Ritual bath: Water is often associated with purity and cleansing in religious ceremonies. The presence of large communal bathing suggests this practice.

Example: Great bath in Mohenjadaro

Burial practices: The discovery of burial sites with grave goods suggests a belief in an afterlife or ancestor worship.

Example: Pot burial found at Lothal

Temples and Sacred Sites: The presence of elevated platforms or mounds suggests the existence of temples or sacred sites.

Examples: The elevated platforms at Harappa and Mohenjodaro supports religious structures

Absence of structural temples: Unique feature of Indus Valley is absence of any structural temple unlike Egypt and Mesopotamia.

The Indus Valley civilization exhibits a primarily secular society where religion coexisted but didn't dominate socio-economic conditions. Harappan religious practices are believed to have influenced subsequent religions like Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

Current Relevance of Architecture of Indus Valley Civilization

Urban Planning Principles: The well-planned street grids and functional zoning of the Indus Valley cities, such as Mohenjodaro and Harappa, can inspire contemporary urban planners.

Example: The grid layout can be seen in modern cities like New York City, with its organized street system.

Sanitation and Hygiene: Indus Valley Civilization city placed emphasis on segregation of wastes at the source and closed drainage system if incorporated can help in combating the present problem.

Example: In addressing rising multitude of infectious disease

Sustainable use of energy: The houses in the Indus Valley Civilization were constructed in such a manner to ensure the effective and efficient use of light and wind.

Example: Incorporation of these features could help reduce the carbon footprint in the present society.

Design Inspiration: The unique aesthetic elements of Indus Valley architecture, such as geometric patterns and intricate carvings, can inspire contemporary designers.

Example: These patterns incorporated in textiles, ceramics depicts modern designs with historical and cultural significance.

Sustainable Water Management: sophisticated drainage system especially use of tanks and ponds for storage of water has been observed in rain starved cities of Indus Valley Civilization especially Dholavira.

Example: Adopting these water conservation strategies in urban planning can prevent future water crises like in Chennai.

Town planning: In the Indus Valley Civilization, the town was also demarcated clearly between residential areas and common/public areas, which can be incorporation in city planning.

Example: It could minimize the traffic congestion in Indian cities.

Comparative studies: These studies contribute to a broader understanding of human history and the development of architectural styles.

Example: Indus Valley Civilization study with Egypt or Mesopotamia, provide insights into cross-cultural influences and shared architectural practices.

Tourism and Education: The architectural sites of the Indus Valley Civilization attract tourists and serve as educational resources.

Example: Ruins of Mohenjodaro serves as knowledge about the civilization's architecture, urban planning.

These examples demonstrate the enduring relevance of this ancient civilization's architectural legacy in shaping and enriching our modern world.

Significance of Indus Valley Civilization at Dholavira

Recently, the Harappan city of Dholavira has been named the 40th Indian site on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

Strategic location: It situated on Khadir Island instead of the usual river adjacent Harappan towns, thus had access to diverse mineral and raw material sources for trade with Mesopotamia and Magan.

Example: Minerals like Copper and steatite was harnessed and traded.

Urban Planning: The city was divided into three parts such as the citadel, the middle town, and the lower town. The citadel contained major public buildings, while the middle and lower towns housed residential and commercial areas.
Segregation and Social Hierarchy: This city's layout and division showcases a planned design with segregated residential areas and social hierarchy.
Burial: Unlike graves at other IVC sites, no mortal remains of humans have been discovered at Dholavira.
Economic activities and Trade: Dholavira served as a manufacturing hub, obtaining copper ore from Rajasthan, Oman, and the UAE, signifying involvement in long-distance finished products trade.

Example: It acted as hub of manufacturing jewelry made of shells and semi-precious stones.

Water management: Dholavira had an excellent rainwater harvesting system and cascading series of water reservoirs.

Example: Dams were built to channelize their water into reservoirs.

Resilient infrastructure: The remarkable expansive water management system exemplifies the ingenuity of individuals in adapting and persevering amidst rapid geo-climatic changes.
Craftmanship: Remains of a copper smelter indicate Harappans, who lived in Dholavira, knew metallurgy.

Example: Evidence of terracotta pottery, beads, seals, animal figurines etc.

Decline of Dholavira

Interconnected Economies: The decline of Dholavira coincided with the collapse of Mesopotamia, suggesting interconnected economies.

Example: The Harappans, known for their maritime activities, lost a significant market after Mesopotamia's fall.

Climate Change: Dholavira experienced a phase of severe aridity as a result of climate change and the drying up of rivers like Saraswati.

Example: The drought-like conditions prompted people to migrate towards the Ganges valley or south Gujarat and further into Maharashtra.

Recession of Sea: Over time the potential site where Dholavira is located went from being a navigable area to becoming a mudflat due to the gradual retreat of the sea.

Example: Transformation of Rann of Kutch into a mudflat.

The architectural legacy of the Indus Valley Civilization serves as a testament to the ingenuity and sophistication of one of the world's oldest known urban civilizations. It continues to captivate researchers, historians, and architects alike, offering valuable insights into the development of human societies and the timeless pursuit of creating functional and aesthetically pleasing built environments.