Indus Valley Civilisation and the city of Mohenjodaro

In my small efforts to share information about my country, i will go into my native areas and roots in the interior of Sindh. I was born in the city of Shikarpur in the province of Sindh which is second largest province of Pakistan. In a series of related posts i will share information about different areas of Sindh. Here i will concentrate on the ancient Indus Valley civilization and the city of Mohenjo-daro.

Sindh- The name is probably derived from the River Indus which was known as Sindhus in ancient times and this is considered the likely explanation of the origin of the name. This land is home to the Indus Valley civilization which is one of the oldest in the world. There has been inadequate research done on these areas to determine their history. However it is known that it dates back to atleast 5000 BC and encompass most of present day Pakistan and included part of India, Iran and Afghanistan as well. It is believed that further research can prove that the wheel was actually invented in this civilization.

When i speak of the Indus Valley civilization the city of Mohenjodaro (Mound of the Dead) is the most prominent. This ancient city is located near the city of Larkana and was one of the early urban settlements in the world. The archaeological ruins of the city are designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The excavations were mostly done during the 1930s by Britisher Sir John Marshall whose car is also present there to show this dedication to the work. But major excavations started in 1945 and continued till the 1960s notably by British archaeologist Mortimer Wheeler.

Mohenjo Daro was created as a very well planned city, its original purpose was to serve as a major trading spot and for farming. It has remarkable construction in perfect pattern and street layouts of sun-dried bricks. There seemed to be high social organisation in the city. There is also a elaborate water-proof public bath which may have been used for religious purposes. All individual houses or groups of homes had wells to obtain water and the waste water was directed to a impressive network of covered drains which lined the city. The city was divided into two parts, the so-called Citadel and the Lower City. Most of the Lower City is yet to be uncovered, but the Citadel is known to have the public bath, a large residential structure and two large assembly halls. Mohenjo-daro was successively destroyed and rebuilt at least seven times by flooding by the Indus is thought to have been the cause of destruction. It vanished without trace until they were rediscovered. It is believed that the change or course of the River Indus should be blamed.

The relics found have also been found in Egypt and Mesopotamia which suggests that they had the ability to trade with them. It was also a major agricultural city and rice has also been discovered over there. Also the people of the city had the ability to make the Ajrak. This is un-stitched piece of cloth with block print dyes. The city also boasts a stupa which is the highest point in the city and possibly used for religious purposes. Many relics have been found there as well. It is unfortunate that some of them have been stolen or smuggled from there. But some still are up for display at museums over there and in Karachi.


The most famous would be the "Dancing girl" artifact that is some 4500 years old. The 10.8 cm long bronze statue of the dancing girl was found in 1926 from a house there and the artistry tell of the past. The so-called "Priest King" is another artifact that has become a symbol of the civilization. This bearded sculpture wears a fillet around the head, an armband, and a cloak decorated with trefoil patterns that were originally filled with red pigment and is believed to be one of the earliest depictions of the Ajrak.

Today this city remains in ruins and lack of proper management result in constant destruction of this priceless monument. This can be a major tourist attraction if adequate measures are taken such has having guest-houses and eating places near the city, tourist guides and security measures. More importantly, the government should spend for further research on this city and the written language which is still not deciphered and it should preserved for generations. Nonetheless, it is a jewel in the crown of Sindh and part of it proud history.

Terrorism in Pakistan - Constraint on Development

Pakistan today is undergoing different economical, political and social problems. However the biggest threat today is from terrorism and extremism. Not a day passes when some incident of violence or terrorism is not witnessed in the country. Suicide blasts and explosions have become much common news that people fail to give much attention as well. Try this project and find some positive news in newspapers and media about Pakistan and you will not have much success.

I will not go in the background that when terrorism started and who is supporting them as we have still not created a successful strategy to fight the enemy. Pakistan was a very peaceful and united country until the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the heavy influx of refugees who brought drugs and arms used in the war. The main thing is that terrorists are present and have taken refuge here in the remote and lawless tribal regions where the writ of the government does not exist and Pakistan has been the worst affected by their presence. Terrorism is the biggest constraint in the development and prosperity of Pakistan. Hence a fight against terrorism in necessary for the security of the country.

However, a military offensive is just part of the solution. Those people in the tribal areas have a very lamented view of this world. There is a very high level of unemployment and illiteracy in those areas. Hence, young people falls in the hands of those terrorists who use them for their purposes as they are paid well and made to believe that they are fighting for their religion. People who are uneducated can be made easily brain-washed to believe that the are been persecuted by people of other religions and that they should support the war.

There needs to be a peaceful solution as well. After the military operation, the government should not leave them but provide some economic development. This is probably the best long-term solution to terrorism. When people will have jobs then they will not fall for terrorists. They should be provided industries on the condition that they will not allow any outsider to stay in their areas. The provision of education and health services, improvement in infrastructure facilities and assistance to people affected by the military operation is necessary to win the hearts of the people.

A few thousand terrorists can not make an entire country hostage. This war can last for a long time but it is a war in which evil will always be defeated. Pakistan has the potential and will be a great nation of the world.