Map of the Indus Valley Civilization, c.3300-1300 BCE

Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, and the Roots of Civilization in the Bronze Age Subcontinent

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Simeon Netchev
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published on 26 April 2012
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Map of the Indus Valley Civilization, c.3300-1300 BCE Download Full Size Image

This map illustrates the extent and key urban centers of the Indus Valley Civilization (circa 3300–1300 BCE), one of the world’s earliest complex societies. Spanning parts of modern-day Pakistan and northwest India, this civilization was notable for its large, well-planned cities, sophisticated infrastructure, and extensive trade networks.

Often referred to as the Harappan or Indus-Sarasvati Civilization, it featured cities such as Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro that showcased grid-based layouts, advanced drainage systems, and standardized construction techniques. Its people traded goods with regions as far as Mesopotamia and Egypt, yet left behind no grand temples or palaces, suggesting a society that emphasized order, commerce, and civic planning over monumental display. The decline of civilization after 1300 BCE is widely linked to environmental change, shifts in river patterns, and the breakdown of long-distance trade networks.

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About the Author

Simeon Netchev
Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history teacher, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. He believes every image should tell a story and invite interaction, while every map should lead on a journey — blending imagination with e

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APA Style

Netchev, S. (2012, April 26). Map of the Indus Valley Civilization, c.3300-1300 BCE. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/322/map-of-the-indus-valley-civilization-c3300-1300-bc/

Chicago Style

Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Indus Valley Civilization, c.3300-1300 BCE." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified April 26, 2012. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/322/map-of-the-indus-valley-civilization-c3300-1300-bc/.

MLA Style

Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Indus Valley Civilization, c.3300-1300 BCE." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 26 Apr 2012, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/322/map-of-the-indus-valley-civilization-c3300-1300-bc/. Web. 26 Apr 2025.

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