Ancient India

Government Explanation

I could not find any direct evidence of a government system in my research. However, the architectural evidence of well-planned streets, a drainage system, public buildings and a citadel would not have been possible without a strong government. This is further proven in the similarities in plan and construction between the Cities of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, another Indus River Valley Civilization. Both cities were constructed of the same type and shape of brick indicating a unified government [1].

Religion Explanation

The “Priest King” artifact was thought to be used for religious purposes. The statue had his robe laid over his left shoulder, which is considered a sacred symbol. It could be that the civilization was run by priests, which would explain the existence of the statue itself since statues were typically made to remember a person or an event, so the idea of a priest-king ruler or a worshiped God is possible [2].

Social Structure Explanation

This was another civilization characteristic that I could not find any direct evidence on in the research I performed. However, the ruins indicate that a sophisticated system of government was needed to allow a town with a population of over 30,000 people to survive and build the organized infrastructure seen in Mohenjo-Daro. I think having a well-organized government indicates that some type of social structure existed [3].

Technology Explanation

Mohenjo-Daro was the first city to have a sewer system. Sewage from the houses of Mohenjo-Daro flowed into a sewer line that followed down the street grid. Houses in the city had running water, and the civilization had an intricate water system. Most technology was used to help with agriculture. They had large irrigation systems. Out of the whole world, the Indus River Valley Civilization was the first ones to develop precise measurement and weighing technology. The image shows the sewage system used by the City [4].

Stable Food Supply Explanation

Food was supplied from areas cultivated in vicinity of the city. Rice was probably grown in the Indus valley. The main food of the people comprised wheat, barley, rice, milk and some vegetables like peas, sesames and fruits like date palms. Mutton, pork, poultry, fish etc. were also eaten by the Indus people [5]

Art Explanation

A bronze statuette dubbed the "Dancing Girl", 4.1 inches high and some 4,500 years old, was found in Mohenjo-Daro in 1926. It represents a stylistically poised female figure performing a dance [6].

Writing Explanation

Seals made from soapstone were found in the ruins of Mohenjo-Daro. The seals often depict animals and have an inscription written in an unknown language. The language on the seals is possibly a form of Dravidian or early Sanskrit but experts have not been able to figure out the language [7]