Indus Ingenuity: Urban Agency and Power without Palaces (2700–1900 BCE)

The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) defies conventional models of early urban governance, as it lacked monumental palaces or royal tombs yet exhibited sophisticated urban planning, standardized material culture, and extensive trade networks. This study proposes the concept of 'Indus Ingenuity,' suggesting that power was distributed among coalitions of elites, councils, or priestly figures rather than centralized under a single ruler. Archaeological evidence from sites like Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Dholavira reveals a society driven by collective decision-making, ideological consensus, and civic participation, maintained through ritual, mercantile influence, or shared civic ethos. The research challenges traditional narratives of ancient sociopolitical structures, offering new insights into the diversity of governance in pre-historic urban societies.

Revista, Z., & HISTORY, 10. (2025). Indus Ingenuity: Urban Agency and Power without Palaces (2700–1900 BCE). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.17763406