India Rejects Pakistan’s Claim Over Indus Valley Civilisation Legacy, Highlights Shared Heritage of the Subcontinent

The ancient legacy of the Indus Valley Civilisation has once again become a subject of discussion between India and Pakistan after New Delhi rejected attempts to present the civilisation as an exclusive part of Pakistan’s historical identity. India has maintained that the Indus Valley Civilisation was a vast cultural and archaeological phenomenon that existed thousands of years before the creation of modern nations and cannot be restricted to present-day political boundaries.

The debate gained attention after Pakistan sought to emphasise its connection with ancient sites such as Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, which are located within its territory. India responded by highlighting that the civilisation extended across a much larger geographical region, covering areas of present-day India and Pakistan, and represents a shared heritage of the Indian subcontinent.

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Indus Valley Civilisation: A Glorious Chapter of Human History

The Indus Valley Civilisation, also known as the Harappan Civilisation, was one of the earliest urban civilisations in the world. Flourishing around 5,000 years ago, it developed highly organised cities, advanced drainage systems, planned streets, sophisticated architecture, and extensive trade networks with other ancient societies.

Cities such as Harappa and Mohenjo-daro became symbols of remarkable urban development, showcasing the technological and organisational abilities of the people who lived during that era. The civilisation’s achievements in town planning, water management, craftsmanship, and commerce continue to attract historians and archaeologists from around the world.

However, the civilisation was never limited to a single region. Archaeological discoveries have revealed hundreds of Harappan sites spread across modern-day Pakistan and India. Important Indian sites such as Rakhigarhi in Haryana, Dholavira in Gujarat, Lothal in Gujarat, and Kalibangan in Rajasthan provide significant evidence of the civilisation’s extensive presence across the subcontinent.

India Emphasises Evidence-Based Historical Understanding

India has argued that historical and archaeological evidence shows that the Indus Valley Civilisation was a broader civilisational achievement rather than the heritage of any one modern country. Since the civilisation existed thousands of years before the emergence of India and Pakistan as independent nations, assigning exclusive ownership based on current geographical boundaries does not reflect historical realities.

New Delhi has stressed that ancient history should be understood through archaeological findings and scholarly research rather than modern political interpretations. The spread of Harappan settlements across different regions demonstrates that the civilisation was built by communities connected through trade, culture, and shared development across a large geographical area.

The Indian position highlights that while important archaeological sites are located in Pakistan, equally significant discoveries in India also contribute to understanding the scale and richness of the civilisation.

Harappa and Mohenjo-daro: Treasures of a Shared Civilisational Past

Harappa and Mohenjo-daro remain among the most important archaeological sites associated with the Indus Valley Civilisation. Excavations at these locations have revealed evidence of carefully planned cities, public structures, advanced sanitation systems, and organised social systems.

Mohenjo-daro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is particularly recognised for its impressive urban planning and structures such as the Great Bath, which reflects the engineering capabilities of the Harappan people. These discoveries have provided valuable insights into one of humanity’s earliest examples of organised urban life.

While these sites are located in present-day Pakistan, historians have consistently noted that their importance goes beyond national boundaries. Like many ancient civilisations around the world, the Indus Valley Civilisation represents a shared chapter in human history.

Heritage and Modern Diplomacy

The renewed discussion around the Indus Valley Civilisation comes at a time when India-Pakistan relations continue to face challenges on several fronts. Historical narratives, cultural identity, and heritage have often played a role in shaping national conversations in both countries.

India has maintained that historical achievements should not become a subject of political competition. Instead, the focus should remain on preserving archaeological treasures, encouraging research, and recognising the civilisation’s contribution to global history.

The discussion also reflects the broader importance of protecting ancient heritage from being interpreted only through the lens of present-day disputes. The Indus Valley Civilisation belongs to a period when the region existed as a connected cultural landscape, long before modern borders were drawn.

The MGMM Outlook 

The Indus Valley Civilisation has once again emerged as a point of discussion after India rejected attempts to portray this ancient civilisation as belonging exclusively to present-day Pakistan. India has highlighted that the Harappan civilisation existed thousands of years before modern national boundaries and was spread across a vast geographical region covering parts of both India and Pakistan. Archaeological discoveries, including major sites such as Rakhigarhi, Dholavira, Lothal, Harappa, and Mohenjo-daro, show that this was a shared civilisational legacy of the Indian subcontinent, built through centuries of cultural exchange, trade, and innovation.

India has emphasised that history should be understood through archaeological evidence rather than modern political interpretations. The achievements of the Indus Valley Civilisation, including advanced urban planning, drainage systems, architecture, and trade networks, represent the remarkable capabilities of ancient communities across the region. Recognising this wider heritage allows the world to appreciate the civilisation’s contribution to human history while preserving its legacy beyond present-day borders.

(Sources: Hindustan Times, India Today, Firstpost)