UNESCO World Heritage Site
Built c. 2500 BCE — one of the world's earliest cities
Advanced drainage system
Population estimated at 40,000–50,000 at peak
History Through the Ages
Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2500–1900 BCE)
Mohenjo-daro was one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, built around 2500 BCE. At its peak, it may have had a population of 40,000–50,000 people, making it one of the largest cities in the ancient world.
Urban Planning & Society
The city is remarkable for its sophisticated urban planning: a grid-pattern street layout, standardized baked brick construction, an advanced drainage and sewage system superior to many modern cities, a Great Bath that may have had ritual significance, and a large granary.
Decline
Mohenjo-daro was abandoned by around 1900 BCE. The reasons remain debated: climate change and drought, flooding, disease, or the arrival of new peoples. The civilization simply faded rather than being dramatically destroyed.
Rediscovery & Heritage
Mohenjo-daro was rediscovered by archaeologists in the 1920s. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Conservation remains a challenge as the mud-brick structures are vulnerable to flooding and salt erosion.