Synopsis This volume is the first publication of the Indus Project, at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN) in Kyoto, Japan.  The work consists of three papers and a comprehensive bibliography.  In the first paper Kharakwal presents an overview of Indus civilization with the most recent data in a compact way.  Witzel's paper, which is the longest, deals with the ancient connection with South Asia and Central Asia Illustrated by the analysis of Vedic texts.  In the last paper Sato suggests a key role for rice in the ancient Indus area.  The bibliography on Indus civilization compiled by Osada covers latest material on the Indus script, seals, raw materials and network with Mesopotamia.