Town planning:

• On the lines of the grid system, that is streets and lanes cutting across one another almost at right angles thus dividing the city into several rectangular blocks
• Harappa, Mohenjodaro and Kalibangan each had its own citadel built on a high podium of mud brick
• Below the citadel in each city lay a lower town containing brick houses, which were inhabited by the common people
• Citadel of Harappa had as many as six granaries

Important characteristics:

• The large scale use of burnt bricks in constructions and the absence of stone buildings
• Another remarkable feature was the underground drainage system connecting all houses to the street drains which were covered by stone slabs or bricks 

The Great Bath at Mohenjodaro- the most important public place measuring 39 feet length, 23 feet breadth and 8 feet depth. It must have served as a ritual bathing site. The floor of the bath was made of burnt bricks.

Economic life:

• Progress in all spheres of economic activity such as agriculture, industry and crafts and trade
• Wheat and barley were the main crops grown beside sesame, mustard and cotton
• Granaries for storage
• Animals like sheep, goats and buffalo were domesticated
• The use of horse is not yet firmly established
• A number of other animals were hunted for food including deer

Trade:

• Foreign trade was mainly conducted with Mesopotamia, Afghanistan and Iran
• Imported products- gold, copper, tin and several semi-precious stones
• Main exports were several agricultural products such as wheat, barley, peas, oilseeds and a variety of finished products including cotton goods, pottery, beads, terracotta figures and ivory products
• There is much evidence to prove the trade links between the Indus and Sumerian people. Many seals of Indus Valley have been found in Mesopotamia 
• Trade was of the barter type
• The seals and the terracotta models of the Indus Valley reveal the use of bullock carts and oxen for land transport and boats and ships for river and sea transport.

Social life:

• The dress of both men and women consisted of two pieces of cloth, one upper garment and other lower garment
• Beads were worn by men and women. Jewelleries such as bangles, bracelets, fillets, girdles, anklets, earrings and finger rings were worn by women
• These ornaments were made of gold, silver, bronze, copper and semi precious stones
• Use of cosmetics was common
• Various household articles made of pottery, stone, shells, ivory and metal have been found at Mohenjodaro 
• Spindles, needles, combs, fish hooks, knives are made of copper
• Children’s toys include little clay carts. Marbles, balls and dice were used for games
• Fishing was a regular occupation while hunting and bull fighting were other pastimes

Script:

• The Harappan script is yet to be fully deciphered
• The script was mostly written from right to left
• In a few long seals, the boustrophedon method of writing in the reverse direction in alternate lines was adopted

Religion:

• Pasupati (proto-Siva)- the chief male deity represented in seals as sitting in a yogic position with three faces and two horns. He is surrounded by four animals (elephant, tiger, rhino and buffalo each facing a different direction)

Burial methods:

• Complete burial and post cremation were popular at Mohenjodaro
• At Lothal, the burial pit was lined with burnt bricks indicating the use of coffins
• Wooden coffins were also found at Harappa
• However, there is no clear evidence for the practice of sati