The polity of the Harappan people, as derived from the material evidence, was

The Harappan polity is characterized by a high degree of uniformity in cultural materials, such as pottery, seals, weights, and bricks, which strongly suggests the existence of a central authority [2]. Archaeological evidence, including the absence of royal palaces, large standing armies, or lavish royal graves, distinguishes it from contemporary civilizations like Mesopotamia. While the exact nature of governance remains debated due to the undeciphered script, the standardization of urban planning and measurement units across a vast geographical area points toward a theocratic-unitary or highly centralized administrative system [2]. Some scholars argue for a city-state model, but the pervasive uniformity across major centers like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa implies a cohesive political structure capable of large-scale labor mobilization and resource control [2]. Consequently, the material evidence supports a polity that was likely theocratic-unitary in its centralized and possibly ritual-based authority.

Sources

1. [2] https://cbc.gov.in/cbcdev/harappa/harappa-story.html