What were the ancient cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro like?
James Stevens
Updated on March 01, 2026
Mohenjo-daro had an estimated population of around 40,000, and Harappa was probably similar in population size. The Harappan cities did not have palaces or temples, and there is no evidence they were ruled by hereditary monarchs like kings and queens. Elected officials or other elites may have acted as rulers.
What were the cities of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa?
The Harappan civilization was located in the Indus River valley. Its two large cities, Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, were located in present-day Pakistan’s Punjab and Sindh provinces, respectively. Its extent reached as far south as the Gulf of Khambhat and as far east as the Yamuna (Jumna) River.
What made the ancient cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro complex?
Harappa and Mohenjo Daro were expertly planned cities built with a grid pattern of wide, straight streets. Thick walls surrounded the cities. The ancient people of the Indus River Valley had a highly advanced knowledge of mathematics and a sophisticated system of weights and measures.
What is the ancient city of Mohenjo-daro known for?
the mound of the dead
The name Mohenjo-daro is reputed to signify “the mound of the dead.” The archaeological importance of the site was first recognized in 1922, one year after the discovery of Harappa. Subsequent excavations revealed that the mounds contain the remains of what was once the largest city of the Indus civilization.
Why are Mohenjo-daro and Harappa called Twin cities?
Both the cities are a part of the Indus Valley Civilization. ✍️A comparison of the artifacts of Harappan and Mohenjo-daro by Marshall proved that they both belonged to the same culture and were of the same age. They are both known as a part of the Indus Valley Civilization.
How were the cities of Harappan divided?
The Harappan city was divided into the upper town (also called the Citadel) and the lower town. Granaries: The granary was the largest structure in Mohenjo-daro, and in Harappa there were about six granaries or storehouses.
When was the cities of Mohenjo-Daro discovered?
1922
Mohenjo-daro was discovered in 1922 by R. D. Banerji, an officer of the Archaeological Survey of India, two years after major excavations had begun at Harappa, some 590 km to the north. Large-scale excavations were carried out at the site under the direction of John Marshall, K. N.
Which cities of Harappan civilization is known as twins?
The city, Harappa, and another ancient city, Mohenjo-daro (shown here), are known as “the twin capitals” of the Indus Valley civilization. Both cities were planned, unlike cities in other ancient civilizations, which had grown from villages to towns to cities.
What are the two cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro known for?
The discovery of the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro has given an important look into the technology, trade, writing and religion of this ancient civilization. The people of the Indus Valley (known as Harappan, after the first city discovered) made many advances in technology.
Which were the two main parts of the Harappa and Mohenjodaro cities?
Explanation: The cities of the Indus Valley civilisation were divided into two parts, i.e. the citadel and the lower town. The Granary and the Great Bath were in the citadel of Mohenjodaro.
What is the significance of the ruins of Mohenjo daro and Harappa?
The ruins of Mohenjo Daro. Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa are archeological sites in Pakistan which are among the greatest achievements in the civilization of the Indus Valley. These two cities are famous for their organized, impressive, and regular layout.
When was the city of Mohenjo daro built?
According to the findings of the archeologists, the city of Mohenjo Daro was built around 26th Century BC, making it one of the largest settlements of the ancient times. It was one of the major urban settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization, aka, Harappan Civilization.
Where did the Harappan civilization live?
It stretched from the present-day north- east Afghanistan to Pakistan to north-west India. Harappa civilization, which is also known as Saraswati Sindhu Civilization, thrived in the basin of the Indus River.
What were the cities in the Indus River valley civilization called?
The Indus River civilization developed about 3000BCE and flourished for about 1500 years before mysteriously going into a period of decline. We don’t know what those ancient people called the cities they lived in, but we now refer to the two largest as Harappa, after a nearby village, and Mohenjo Daro, a local term that means “hill of the dead.”