key term - Mohenjo-daro

Definition

Mohenjo-daro was an ancient Indus Valley Civilization city located in modern-day Pakistan, known for its advanced urban planning and sophisticated infrastructure. It was a prominent center of agriculture and trade during the Bronze Age, serving as a key example of the agricultural and horticultural practices of the time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Mohenjo-daro was one of the largest and most advanced cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, with a population estimated to have been around 40,000 people.
2. The city's layout was highly organized, with a grid-like pattern of streets and a sophisticated drainage and sanitation system, indicating a high level of urban planning.
3. Archaeologists have found evidence of advanced agricultural practices in Mohenjo-daro, including the cultivation of crops such as wheat, barley, and various vegetables.
4. The city's location along the Indus River made it a hub for trade, with goods from as far as Mesopotamia and Central Asia being exchanged at Mohenjo-daro's markets.
5. Mohenjo-daro's prosperity and decline are thought to be closely linked to changes in the Indus River's flow and the region's climate, which may have impacted the city's agricultural and trade activities.

Review Questions

• Describe the significance of Mohenjo-daro's urban planning and infrastructure in the context of horticulture and agriculture during the Indus Valley Civilization.
  • Mohenjo-daro's advanced urban planning and infrastructure played a crucial role in supporting the city's agricultural and horticultural practices. The grid-like layout of the city, with its well-designed drainage and sanitation systems, allowed for efficient water management and the cultivation of crops on a large scale. The city's location along the Indus River provided access to reliable water sources for irrigation, enabling the residents to grow a variety of crops and maintain productive agricultural and horticultural activities. This level of urban planning and infrastructure was a hallmark of the Indus Valley Civilization and allowed Mohenjo-daro to thrive as a major center of agriculture and trade during the Bronze Age.
• Analyze the impact of Mohenjo-daro's strategic location on its agricultural and trade activities within the broader context of the Indus Valley Civilization.
  • Mohenjo-daro's strategic location along the Indus River was a key factor in its agricultural and trade success during the Indus Valley Civilization. The river provided a reliable source of water for irrigation, enabling the city to cultivate a diverse range of crops. Additionally, the city's location made it a hub for trade, with goods from distant regions such as Mesopotamia and Central Asia being exchanged at Mohenjo-daro's markets. This access to trade networks allowed the city to acquire resources and technologies that could be used to further enhance its agricultural and horticultural practices. The combination of a favorable geographic location, advanced infrastructure, and participation in extensive trade networks contributed to Mohenjo-daro's prosperity and its role as a leading center of agriculture and horticulture during this period.
• Evaluate the potential environmental factors that may have contributed to the decline of Mohenjo-daro and the impact this had on the agricultural and trade activities of the Indus Valley Civilization.
  • Scholars believe that changes in the Indus River's flow and regional climate may have played a significant role in the eventual decline of Mohenjo-daro. Shifts in the river's course or fluctuations in water availability could have disrupted the city's agricultural and horticultural practices, which were heavily dependent on reliable access to water for irrigation. Additionally, changes in the climate may have affected the productivity of the land and the ability to sustain the city's large population. The decline of Mohenjo-daro would have had far-reaching consequences for the broader Indus Valley Civilization, as the city was a major center of agricultural production and trade. The loss of this key hub could have disrupted the region's interconnected economic and social networks, leading to broader challenges for the civilization's agricultural and trade activities. Understanding the environmental factors that contributed to Mohenjo-daro's decline provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between human settlements, climate, and the sustainability of agricultural and horticultural practices in the ancient world.

Related terms

Indus Valley Civilization: An ancient civilization that flourished in the Indus River basin, known for its advanced urban centers, sophisticated water management systems, and extensive trade networks.

Bronze Age: A period of human history characterized by the use of bronze, a copper-tin alloy, for the production of tools, weapons, and other artifacts.

Urban Planning:

The process of designing and developing the physical layout and infrastructure of a city or town, including the placement of buildings, roads, and public spaces.