During which approximate period did the Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilization flourish at its mature urban stage?

Introduction / Context:
This question examines your knowledge of the chronology of ancient Indian civilisations, specifically the Indus Valley or Harappan Civilization. Exams frequently ask for approximate dates of the mature urban phase because it helps you place Harappan culture correctly between earlier Neolithic developments and later Vedic and historic periods. Knowing this time frame is essential for building an accurate mental timeline of Indian history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks when the Indus Valley Civilization flourished.
• The options provide various wide date ranges in B.C. years.
• We are concerned with the mature urban phase, not the earliest pre-Harappan or late declining stages.
• We assume the commonly accepted archaeological dating used in school and competitive exam syllabi.

Concept / Approach:
Archaeologists and historians generally date the mature urban phase of the Harappan Civilization to roughly 2600–1900 B.C., with some sources simplifying the range slightly. In exam-oriented material, this is often approximated as 2500–1750 B.C. to cover the main flourishing period. The other ranges given either correspond to later Vedic and early historic periods (1500–500 B.C.) or are far too early and speculative for complex urban civilisation (5000–3500 B.C.). The 3000–1500 B.C. option is too broad and does not match the more specific mature phase generally accepted.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Indus Valley Civilization is a Bronze Age culture usually dated around the third millennium B.C.Step 2: Remember that many textbooks state the mature Harappan period as approximately 2600–1900 B.C.Step 3: Compare this commonly accepted range with the options; 2500–1750 B.C. is the closest approximation used in exams.Step 4: Recognise that 1500–500 B.C. aligns more with the later Vedic period and early iron-age kingdoms, not Harappan urbanism.Step 5: Note that 5000–3500 B.C. predates known large-scale urbanisation in the region and would be far too early.Step 6: Observe that 3000–1500 B.C. is a very broad span, overlapping multiple cultural phases; exam keys prefer a tighter range for the mature civilisation.Step 7: Therefore, select 2500–1750 B.C. as the best representation of the Harappan flourishing period.

Verification / Alternative check:
Most standard history textbooks and archaeological summaries list the Harappan Civilization as flourishing approximately between 2600 and 1900 B.C. When converted into a rounded range for MCQs, this is often presented as 2500–1750 B.C. Past exam papers and practice books repeatedly use this range, and their answer keys confirm option 2500–1750 B.C. as the expected response.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
1500–500 B.C.: Associated more closely with the later Vedic period, emergence of Mahajanapadas and early Buddhism and Jainism, not the Harappan cities.5000–3500 B.C.: Too early for a mature Bronze Age urban civilisation in this region; archaeological evidence does not support such an early flourishing.3000–1500 B.C.: An overly broad range that includes many different phases; exams prefer a more specific window for the mature Harappan stage.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the dates of the Harappan Civilization with those of the Vedic age or simply misremember whether it belongs to the second or third millennium B.C. Another common error is to choose the broadest range, thinking it must be safe. To avoid such mistakes, fix one clear approximation in your mind: mature Harappan = around 2500–1900 B.C., which in MCQs often appears as 2500–1750 B.C.

Final Answer:
The Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilization is generally considered to have flourished during the period 2500–1750 B.C.