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    Mohenjo Daro: An Ancient Gem of the Indus Valley Civilization

    Mohenjo Daro: An Ancient Gem of the Indus Valley Civilization

    Written by: Mahnaz Shujrah
    Posted on: June 12, 2017 | | 中文

    The Priest King Statue at Mohenjo Daro

    I stood in the middle of a ruined city which had existed over 4,500 years ago. The brick walls surrounded me like a maze. The sunshine from above seemed unforgiving, spreading in all directions. I wondered how it would have felt to live here. What would Mohenjo Daro have been like in its heyday?

    The Indus Valley, dating back to about 2500 BC, is one of the oldest civilizations known to man. Only two civilizations existed prior and simultaneous to this: the Mesopotamian and the Egyptian. At the same time, in about 2000 BC, the Chinese civilization also came into being, and went on to become one of the longest surviving civilizations. But it was the Indus Valley which came to be known for its high level of urban planning and infrastructure, with cities spread around the Indian subcontinent.

    A view of the Buddhist Stupa at Mohenjo Daro - Mohenjo Daro: An Ancient Gem of the Indus Valley Civilization

    A view of the Buddhist Stupa at Mohenjo Daro

    Mohenjo Daro – literally translating to “Mound of the Dead” – was the largest and most famous settlement of the Indus Valley. It was rediscovered in the 1920s, and later excavated and declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. As the city was uncovered and its artifacts examined, one thing became clear: the people of this city had reached the height of sophistication for their time.

    Located in the Larkana District of Sindh, Mohenjo Daro is a historic site that attracts tourists from all over the world. Archaeological discoveries have revealed that its inhabitants were highly skilled and organized planners, noted for their efficient drainage/water supply systems. Moreover, they were experts in pottery and crafting; the most commonly found artifacts included jewellery, made from precious jewels, gemstones, metals, and baked clay.

    A map showing the ancient routes from Mesopotamia to Mohenjo Daro and other parts of the Indus Valley - Mohenjo Daro: An Ancient Gem of the Indus Valley Civilization

    A map showing the ancient routes from Mesopotamia to Mohenjo Daro and other parts of the Indus Valley

    There is now a museum not far from the site, where many of the ancient artifacts are preserved and displayed. One of the most intriguing displays contains pictures of thirty human skeletons that were discovered in close proximity. The reasons behind this are currently unknown, but historians say these could perhaps have been prisoners, left behind after the community moved on, or those trapped during a natural disaster. As you enter the museum, there are various detailed paintings that depict the lifestyle of the people during that time, along with labelled maps that show the entire Indus Civilization. Interestingly, this is the only museum that uses natural sunlight instead of artificial bulbs for its showcases. Everything from small chess pieces to huge water storing pots is displayed, although some historical artifacts are now spread out amongst other museums, local as well as international.

    A painting that depicts the lifestyle of the inhabitants of Mohenjo Daro - Mohenjo Daro: An Ancient Gem of the Indus Valley Civilization

    A painting that depicts the lifestyle of the inhabitants of Mohenjo Daro

    The planning of this ancient city was done in sectors, with separate areas reserved for different purposes. We first went to the Citadel Mound, where many famous structures are found, including the Buddhist Stupa, Monks’ Quarters, Divinity Street, the Great Bath, and the Granary. Through the structures and artifacts uncovered here, it was inferred that the Citadel Mound was a sacred area, and if anyone ever lived here, it must have been the elite. We’ve all read in school about the great infrastructure that these people employed, but only after visiting the site can you truly appreciate this fact. We walked around the Great Bath, which is said to have been used for ritual purposes. The floor and walls of the bath show fine gradient and joint masonry work, which is a rare feat in architecture even today. Our tour guide showed us the covered drainage system, and pointed out where the clean water would come in and the dirty water would go out. It is astonishing that people thousands of years ago were able to work out such advanced techniques without the ease of technology that we have now. Many cities today still have systems far below this standard. Once you get to the end of this part of the excavation site and look back, the perspective is such that you can see everything behind you, with the Stupa in the background – this is the same image printed on the back of the Pakistani Rs. 20 note.

    The Great Bath, used for various rituals by the inhabitants - Mohenjo Daro: An Ancient Gem of the Indus Valley Civilization

    The Great Bath, used for various rituals by the inhabitants

    After walking for fifteen minutes to the other side of the museum, we reached another excavation site. The layout here was very different from what we saw earlier. The brick walls had layers, showing the original city and where it had been rebuilt. The city also had two parts: the lower city and the upper city. Our tour guide identified where the treasury, the markets and the residential area were located. Pathways and windows were built to match the direction of the wind, so that even in the scorching summer months, you could find shade and cool wind in certain spots. The attention to detail was extraordinary. There was a hall in the centre, which was probably used for gatherings or meetings. We climbed to the top using the stairs, and stood on the brick wall. Perhaps the person in charge used to stand here and speak. The entire city was visible from this point; back then you could probably have seen the Indus River from here too. There are several wells located throughout the city as well, bearing witness to the city's history of destruction and reconstruction.

    One of several wells around the city - Mohenjo Daro: An Ancient Gem of the Indus Valley Civilization

    One of several wells around the city

    Mohenjo Daro today is more than just a historical site; it is a source of pride for our country. According to our guide, the number of tourists has steadily been increasing, especially after the release of Ashutosh Gowariker’s 2016 Bollywood film of the same name.

    There are many theories about the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization. Some historians hypothesize that the Aryans invaded and conquered the Valley. The skeletons found in groups could be the consequence of a war that took place. However, people of the Indus Valley were said to be peaceful, and there are no artifacts or evidence supporting the possibility that they were involved in wars. The more popular theory is that the civilization declined due to climate change. Natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes could have forced the community to move, and the new settlements were probably not as sustainable; hence, they decreased in strength and numbers. This theory is supported by the large-scale reconstruction seen in Mohenjo Daro, suggesting that people came to resettle here after some time. Finally, another possibility is that the Indus River changed course, in which case the inhabitants might have found it difficult to survive, forcing them to move away.

    Again, all of these are just theories; we cannot be sure of what brought an end to this once-mighty civilization. The only thing we do know is that there are still a host of mysteries yet to be solved about this fascinating ancient city.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

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    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021