Short Answer
The Indus Valley Civilization is also known as the Harappan Civilization. This name comes from the city of Harappa, where the first important remains of this civilization were discovered. Because of this major discovery, historians started calling it the Harappan Civilization.
It is also sometimes called the Indus Civilization, as it developed around the Indus River and its nearby areas. These names refer to the same ancient civilization that existed around 2500 BCE in the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent.
Detailed Explanation:
Harappan Civilization name origin
The Indus Valley Civilization is mainly known as the Harappan Civilization because of the discovery of the ancient city of Harappa. This site is located in present-day Pakistan and was one of the first places where archaeologists found strong evidence of this advanced civilization. When the ruins of Harappa were excavated in the early 20th century, it revealed a well-developed urban culture. Because this was the first major site discovered, the entire civilization was named after it.
Later, many other important cities like Mohenjo-daro, Dholavira, and Lothal were also found. However, the name “Harappan Civilization” remained popular because Harappa was the earliest discovered site that gave historians a clear understanding of this ancient culture.
Indus Civilization and other names
Apart from Harappan Civilization, it is also called the Indus Valley Civilization because most of its cities were located near the Indus River and its tributaries. The river provided water, fertile land for farming, and easy transport, which helped the civilization grow and develop.
Some historians also use the term Indus Civilization. This name is broader because it includes all areas where this culture existed, not just the valley region. The civilization spread across parts of present-day India, Pakistan, and even Afghanistan.
This civilization is considered one of the oldest and most advanced civilizations of the ancient world, along with those of Egypt and Mesopotamia. It had planned cities, proper drainage systems, and well-organized society, which shows a high level of development.
The use of different names does not mean different civilizations. All these names—Harappan Civilization, Indus Valley Civilization, and Indus Civilization—refer to the same ancient culture. The difference in names mainly comes from geographical location or the place of discovery.
Conclusion
The Indus Valley Civilization is also known as the Harappan Civilization, named after the first discovered site, Harappa. It is also called the Indus Civilization due to its location near the Indus River. All these names describe the same ancient and highly developed civilization of early human history.