Pakistan’s Department of Archaeology issued a warning regarding the imminent threat to Mohenjo Daro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This alarm was sounded after heavy rainfall in the Sindh province during August 2022, which led to considerable damage to the site and potential for its removal from the esteemed World Heritage list.
Between August 16 and 26, 2022, Mohenjo Daro received a record rain of 779.5 mm. As a result, many walls of this archaeological marvel experienced substantial harm, causing a part of them to collapse. Of note is the protection wall of the stupa dome, which suffered significant damage. Other critical areas of the ruins such as Muneer Area, Stupa, Great Bath have been adversely affected by the natural disaster. The authorities have called for urgent attention towards conservation and restoration work at this crucial historical site.
A Glimpse into the Past: Mohenjo Daro
Mohenjo Daro, also known as the ‘Mound of the Dead,’ was a prominent site during the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC). Its vast array of ruins extends from Balochistan near the Pakistan-Iran border to Uttar Pradesh in India, revealing the broad reach of the IVC. This civilization had other renowned sites across the Indian subcontinent, including Lothal and Dholavira in Gujarat, and Kalibangan in Rajasthan.
The civilization thrived in the Indus Valley, between roughly 3,300 BC and 1,300 BC. However, around the middle of the second millennium BC, it went into decline, mainly due to catastrophic climate change.
Excavation of Mohenjo Daro started in the 1920s and went on till 1964-65. Rakhal Das Banerji of the Archaeological Survey of India established its prehistoric antiquity in 1922. Mohenjo Daro is famous for its elaborate town planning. It boasted street grids with brick pavements, well-developed water supply, effective drainage and covered sewerage systems, homes equipped with toilets, and grand buildings like the Great Granary and the Great Bath.
At the peak of its civilization, it was estimated to have a population between 30,000 to 60,000 residents. These ruins, located 510 km northeast of Karachi and 28 km from Larkana in Sindh, were acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage site back in 1980.
Understanding UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites
A World Heritage Site is a location listed by UNESCO owing to its special cultural or physical significance. Administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee under the ‘World Heritage Programme,’ the list is governed by an international treaty titled ‘Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.’
Currently, there are around 1,100 UNESCO listed sites across 167 member countries. Notably, some sites, including the ‘Liverpool — Maritime Mercantile City’ in the United Kingdom, have been removed from the list due to “the irreversible loss of attributes.” In India, out of 3691 monuments and sites, 40 have the designation of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
What is UNESCO?
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) was founded in 1945 to develop the “intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind.” Based in Paris, France, UNESCO aims to create lasting peace through its various initiatives such as the Man and Biosphere Programme, Global Geopark Network, Network of Creative Cities, and Atlas of World Languages in Danger.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question
For the UPSC Civil Services Examination, prospective candidates have been asked about Indus Civilization in the Prelims phase. One such question in 2013 inquired about the characteristics of the people of Indus Civilization, with the correct answer being ‘They worshipped both male and female deities.’ In another instance, for Mains, questions were asked about the extent to which the urban planning and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization contributed to present-day urbanization.
Last Modified: February 18, 2024