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The term ‘Indus Valley Civilisation’ was introduced in 1924 by John Marshall, the director of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the time.
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While the script of this ancient civilisation remains undeciphered, evidence found at various sites offers a glimpse into its economy.
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Although coins are yet to be found in the regions where the Indus Valley Civilisation flourished, standardised weights have been discovered.
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This suggests that a barter system was in place, where goods were exchanged for other goods.
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Seals found in areas like Harappa and Rupar suggest they were used for long-distance communication like sending goods to other places.
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The image on the seal likely served to identify the sender, and if the seal arrived intact, it would have ensured the authenticity of the goods.
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The discovery of bead-making factories at Lothal and Kalibangan suggests that beads were manufactured on a large scale.
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These beads were made from various materials, including stone, shell, gold, and clay.
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The fact that raw materials were sourced from different places indicates that the Indus Valley Civilisation had a vast trade network.
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The presence of copper with traces of nickel in the Indus Valley Civilisation, similar to that found in Oman, suggests the existence of trade between the two regions.
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The mention of "Meluhha" in ancient Mesopotamian texts is believed to refer to the Indus Valley Civilisation.
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Seals found in Harappa feature images of ships and boats, indicating that maritime trade was a significant part of the economy.
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The discovery of a port at Lothal further supports this theory.
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