An insightful survey of fiction about the ancient Indus civilization, a theme rather new to publishing but where we can expect more activity in the future if the recent past is a good indicator. The writer is himself an author of ancient Indus fiction based on research.
(From Abstract)
Fourteen novels have been set in Indus Valley aka Harappan Civilization. It is much less than those set in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt. People of the ancient Indus Valley culture had developed expertise in urban planning, water harvesting and ship building. They were bold mariners and enterprising merchants. Most likely, their women were as liberated as those in contemporary Mesopotamia. Those novels which highlight these inspirational aspects of the Indus Valley society could raise awareness about it and enhance respect for it. In the absence of adequate archaeological evidence, the culture is subjected to various controversies, which have one positive aspect to it because they provide innumerable story plots. Since each author commands specific readership, all the 14 novels hold the potential to promote travel and tourism to Indus Valley archaeological sites in Pakistan and India, and thus indirectly help both the Governments in creating one out of every eleven jobs in their respective economies.