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Indus Valley Civilization

Interactive passage with audio narration, comprehension questions, and printable PDF.

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Format: Interactive (Online), Printable (PDF)
Grades: 5678
Subjects: readinghistoryela
Standards: CA HSS 6.1.2RI.6.1RI.6.4
Languages: English, Spanish

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What's included

Reading passage

Reading comprehension

Audio narration

With word word highlighting

Comprehension quiz

Auto-graded

Writing activity

Open-ended response

Glossary & flashcards

Vocabulary practice

Differentiated version

Adapted for varied levels

Spanish translation

Bilingual support

About this reader

This rigorous history reading passage explores Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, two remarkable cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, located in present-day Pakistan and northwest India. Students will discover how these ancient cities developed advanced urban planning, including grid layouts, drainage systems, and public baths, and what archaeological evidence reveals about their society, trade, and daily life. The passage aligns with CA HSS 6.1.2 and CCSS RI.6.1, inviting students to analyze cause-and-effect relationships, use evidence from primary and archaeological sources, and reflect on the significance of the Indus Valley Civilization in world history. The resource includes a glossary of key academic vocabulary, multiple-choice and writing activities, graphic organizers, a timeline, and both English and Spanish translations. A read-aloud audio option supports diverse learners. This passage helps students connect ancient civilizations to broader historical themes, such as geography’s impact on human development, continuity and change, and the rise of complex societies.

Written by Workybooks TeamPublished by Workybooks

Sample passage and quiz content

CONTENT PREVIEW

"Ghanghro location - Mohenjo-daro" Image by Ghanghro / Wikimedia Commons.

The Indus Valley Civilization developed along the Indus River in what is now Pakistan and northwest India around 2600 BCE. Two of its most well-known cities, Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, were among the earliest examples of advanced urban planning in the ancient world. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of organized streets, large public buildings, and sophisticated infrastructure in both cities, suggesting a highly skilled society.

Excavations at Mohenjo-Daro, which means “Mound of the Dead” in Sindhi, revealed a city with straight streets laid out in a grid pattern. The city included a massive public structure called the Great Bath, believed to have been used for religious or social gatherings. Both Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa had complex drainage and sewage systems, with brick-lined drains running beneath the streets and houses equipped with private wells and bathrooms. This level of urban engineering was rare in the ancient world and shows the importance of cleanliness and public health in Indus society.

Artifacts found at these sites, such as seals engraved with animals and mysterious symbols, provide clues about the culture’s beliefs and trade networks. Archaeologists have discovered pottery, jewelry, and tools made from materials like bronze and stone. Some of these materials, such as lapis lazuli, came from distant regions, proving that Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were connected to long-distance trade with Mesopotamia and Central Asia. Written records, known as the Indus script, have been found on many objects, but so far, scholars have not been able to fully translate this writing system. This mystery adds to the fascination and challenges of studying the Indus Valley Civilization.

Social structure in Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro is studied through building sizes and locations. Larger houses with courtyards suggest some people held higher status, while smaller dwellings reflect a range of social classes. No evidence of palaces or large temples has been found, which is different from other ancient civilizations. This suggests that political power may have been shared or organized differently than in Egypt or Mesopotamia. Over time, the civilization declined, possibly due to environmental changes such as floods, drought, or shifting river courses, but the exact reasons remain debated among historians.

The cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro are significant because they reveal the achievements and complexity of early South Asian societies. Their advanced planning, technology, and trade links influenced later cultures in India and beyond. Studying these cities helps historians understand how geography, environment, and human innovation shape civilization’s rise and fall.

Interesting Fact: Harappan cities used standardized brick sizes for building, showing a high level of organization across the Indus Valley Civilization.

Where is Mohenjo-Daro located?

Pakistan and northwest IndiaSouthern EgyptMesopotamiaCentral Asia

What is the Great Bath?

A large public buildingA royal palaceA templeA marketplace

When did the Indus Valley Civilization decline?

c. 1900 BCE3000 BCE500 BCE1100 CE

Why are standardized bricks important?

They show organizationThey are colorfulThey are easy to breakThey are made of gold

What is a possible cause of decline?

Floods or river changesToo many palacesDiscovery of goldArrival of Romans

How do we know about social structure?

By size of housesFrom written lawsBy ancient songsFrom fairytales