In the Mesopotamian records, which one of the following terms was used for the Indus Valley (Harappans) ?

In Mesopotamian cuneiform inscriptions, the term 'Meluhha' (or Meluha) is used to refer to the Indus Valley region [1]. These ancient texts describe Meluhha as a land of seafarers and a primary source of exotic trade goods [1]. Archaeological evidence, such as Harappan seals, weights, and beads found in Sumerian sites, corroborates these trade links [1]. While Meluhha represented the Indus region, other terms in these records referred to different locations: 'Dilmun' is identified with the island of Bahrain, serving as an intermediate trade hub, and 'Magan' is associated with the Oman peninsula [3]. The presence of 'Meluhha villages' in Mesopotamian cities like Lagash further suggests that Harappan merchants or communities had established enclaves in Mesopotamia during the 3rd millennium BC to facilitate long-distance maritime trade.

Sources

1. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 1: Early India: From the Beginnings to the Indus Civilisation > Trade and Exchange > p. 12
2. [2] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: Bricks, Beads and Bones > Fig. 1.18 This is a cylinder seal, typical of Mesopotamia, but the humped bull motif on it appears to be derived from the Indus region. > p. 14
3. [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilmun