1. The Rise of the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600-1900 BCE)
Emerging in present-day Pakistan and northwest India, the Indus Valley Civilization was one of humanity’s earliest urban centers. Its cities, like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, featured advanced layouts, drainage systems, and standardized architecture. The civilization’s intricate trade networks and undeciphered script deeply influenced later South Asian cultures. Comparable in grandeur to Egypt and Mesopotamia, its legacy endures, shaping the region’s approach to urban planning and commerce.
