Trade Connecttivity Among Indus and Abroad: Script, Standerised Measurements and Weights

Abstract

The streams originating in the Great Himalayas merge to form the mighty Indus River, which flows southwest and empties into the Arabian Sea. These Himalayan waters carried fertile mineral-rich soil that supported agriculture throughout the Indus catchment area. During the third millennium BCE, climatic conditions were different from those of today, allowing the Indus Civilization to expand across a vast region, including Turkmenistan, Kashmir, northwestern India, northeastern Afghanistan, and parts of Iran. This civilization covered nearly 500,000 square kilometers and included hundreds of pre-urban and post-urban settlements along the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra rivers. Early Indus sites initially developed as regional centers and later became part of a unified urban settlement system under Indus influence. This research highlights the archaeological importance of these sites, often viewed only as heritage locations. Each site played a significant role in trade networks and economic development. Evidence shows that the Indus Civilization maintained extensive trade relations with Iran, Afghanistan, Oman, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Central Asia.