Moen Jo Daro = The Mound of the Dead

On the West Bank of the Indus, 350 miles/580 kms from Karachi lies Moenjodaro (Mound of the Dead) an archaeological site which has been rated amongst the most spectacular of the world's ancient cities. Considered on of the earliest and most developed of urban civilizations. Moenjodaro flourished from the third to the middle of the second millenium BC when it vanished, leaving only traces of its culture. Moenjodaro, along with Harappa (Punjab province) some 800 miles away-formed part of the Indus valley civilization and it is now generally believed that these were the cities, referred to in the Rigveda that were destroyed by Aryan invader.

The urban planning at Moenjodaro was pragmatic and at a high level. Its main thoroughfares were some 300 feet wide and were crossed by straight streets that formed block 400 yards in length and 200/300 yards in width. The walls of the city`s mud-brick and baked –brick houses were designed to ensure the safety of its occupants of that times of earth quakes the structures collapsed outwards. It had an \elaborate covered drainage system, soakpits for disposal bins, a state granary a large and imposing building that could have been a place and a citadel mound with solid burnt-brick towers on its margin. Judging from the remains the Great Hall was probably the most striking of its structures, comprising an open quadrangle with verandahs of four sides galleries and rooms at the back a number of halls, and a large bathing pool perhaps used for religious or ceremonial bathing.

Moenjodaro, 4500 years old Indus Valley Civilization

Close to the archeological site is the Moenjodaro Museum that housed finds from the excavations. These include amongst other things engraved seals, ornaments, utensils, pottery, weapons, figurines and toys. Visitors wishing to stay overnight can put up at the archaeology deptt`s rest house which also has a restaurant. Room charges are reasonably priced Moenjodaro can be reached by air, rail and road.