The Mohenjo-Daro government rules through the control of trade and religion, rather than military strength (as there is no indication of warfare or weapon usage within this great city). The rulers wear ornaments of exotic material, and carry great seals with animal symbols and writing. The animal seals symbolize different forms of power:

  -The bull symbolizes the leader of the herd.

  -The elephant is attached to goods being traded.

  -The buffalo represents a posture of defense to protect.

  -The tiger is used by minor administrative officers.

  -The unicorn is a symbol of the elite, and is used in 

   governing the different settlements.

 

The Mohenjo-Daro government also places high priority on urban planning and hygiene. The city's urban plan uses a grid system with specialized zones (the 2 zones are The Citadel (contains public baths, the residential area, and 2 assembly halls) and The Lower City (contains the central market place)), and contains the world's first known urban sanitation systems, which consist of baths, drains, early flush toilets, and a sewage system.

 

Though records do not provide the answers for a center of power, or of those in power, there is evidence of complex decisions being taken and implemented (such as uniformity of pottery, seals, and bricks sizes). The major theories consist of:

  -There is a single state.

  -There is no single ruler but several: Mohenjo-Daro has

   a separate ruler, Harappa another, and so forth.

  -Harappan society has no rulers, and everybody 

   enjoys equal status.