Final answer:
Indian civilization is evidenced by advanced city planning, sophisticated urban structures such as Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, distinct pottery styles, burial practices, religious symbols, and specialized artisan crafts, all pointing to a rich and complex society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The distinguishing features that provide evidence of Indian civilization include advanced city planning, unique pottery styles, distinct burial practices, and religious symbols that have shaped later cultures in India. Artifacts such as the sophisticated urban structures of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, with their orderly streets and advanced drainage systems, demonstrate the technological prowess of the Indus Valley civilization. Religious artifacts, including clay figurines and seals, suggest a rich spiritual life that influenced later religious beliefs in India, like those associated with the Hindu goddess Durga and deity Shiva.
The Indus Valley civilization's legacy is evident in its contributions to urban development, artistic creation, and spiritual expression, all of which left a lasting imprint on successive cultures in the Indian subcontinent. Modest grave goods and the findings of modest burial mounds suggest a belief in an afterlife and a culture not dominated by warrior-kings but instead characterized by common cultural aspects like those found in their urban planning and religious practices. Moreover, the specialization of artisans in creating jewelry and fabrics indicates the advancement in cultural and economic systems, reflecting the society's complexity.