Mohenjo-Daro was one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. Built around 2500 BCE, it was one of the world's earliest major cities, contemporarily existing with the civilizations of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. What sets Mohenjo-Daro apart is its extraordinary urban planning. The city was laid out on a grid system with straight streets and a sophisticated drainage and sewage system that was more advanced than many modern settlements in the region until recently. Most houses featured indoor bathing areas and latrines connected to a central street drainage system. The 'Great Bath,' a large, watertight pool made of finely fitted bricks and bitumen, is thought to have been used for religious purification. The lack of grand palaces or massive temples suggests a more egalitarian society focused on commerce and hygiene rather than autocracy.