Mohenjo-daro

Mohenjo-daro was one of the great cities of the Indus Valley Civilization. It was built in what is now Pakistan around 2500 BCE. The city had straight streets, brick houses, public buildings, and one of the best drainage systems in the ancient world. Today it is a famous archaeological site that helps us learn how early city life worked.

A Carefully Planned City

Mohenjo-daro was not built in a messy way. Its streets crossed in a grid, almost like a checkerboard. Houses were made from baked bricks that were all about the same size. Many homes had stairs, courtyards, and rooms for storage. This shows that the people who built the city planned it carefully instead of letting it grow randomly.

Water and Cleanliness

One of the most amazing things about Mohenjo-daro was its water system. Many houses had wells nearby, and some even had bathrooms. Wastewater flowed through covered drains under the streets. The city also had a large building called the Great Bath, which may have been used for special ceremonies. These features show that the people cared about cleanliness and smart design.

A Lost City Rediscovered

Long after the city was abandoned, its brick walls were buried under dust and earth. Archaeologists began serious excavations in the 1920s. They found seals, pottery, tools, toys, and buildings that had stayed hidden for thousands of years. Even now, many questions remain. We still cannot read the Indus writing system, so Mohenjo-daro keeps some of its secrets.

Fun Facts

• Mohenjo-daro means "Mound of the Dead."
• The city was built at about the same time as the pyramids in Egypt.
• Archaeologists have found toys, carts, and small figures that show children lived there too.

Did You Know?

Mohenjo-daro had covered drains under many streets, which made it cleaner than many cities built thousands of years later.