What were the notable features of the urban society in Indus Valley Civilization

Describe the social structure, religion, economy and trade practices, and town planning of Indus Valley Civilization.
Notable features of the Indus Valley Civilization's urban society include:
  • A well-planned city layout featuring grid-shaped streets, brick houses, and a centralized drainage system.
  • A sophisticated economy that relied on agriculture, trade, and handicrafts.
  • A social system organized around the principle of hierarchical and occupational groups.
  • A complex religion which involved the worship of a range of deities, including the Mother Goddess, Pashupati, and the horned deity.
  • A flourishing trade network with neighboring civilizations, indicating the extent of cultural and commercial exchange in the ancient world.
The social structure of the Indus Valley Civilization was comprised of various occupational groups, including priests, merchants, farmers, artisans, and laborers. The highest positions in society were usually reserved for priests and rulers, while the lowest were held by slaves and laborers. Religion and economy played important roles in determining social status. The economy of the Indus Valley Civilization relied on agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, and trade. Agriculture was the primary source of food, with wheat, barley, and rice being the most common crops. Trade was a significant part of the economy, with the Indus Valley Civilization acting as a major hub of commercial activity. The town planning of the Indus Valley Civilization was highly sophisticated. The cities were organized around a grid system, with main streets running north to south and east to west. Homes were generally built with baked bricks, and there was a centralized drainage system that served the entire city.
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