π Topic 03 of 6 Β· Chapter 02 Β· Prehistoric India & IVC
Harappan Town Planning & Architecture
Grid pattern streets, Great Bath, granaries, drainage system, citadel vs lower town β IVC urban planning excellence.
ποΈ Harappan Town Planning β A Marvel of the Ancient World
The Harappan Civilisation had the most sophisticated urban planning of the ancient world. Their cities were planned with a grid pattern, excellent drainage, and clear zoning β features that modern cities still aspire to.
β Key Achievement: The Harappan drainage system was the world’s first planned urban drainage system. Every house had drains connected to covered street drains β a level of sanitation not seen again in the world until the 19th century CE.
π Grid Pattern Town Planning
- Cities were laid out in a grid pattern β streets running north-south and east-west at right angles
- Main streets were wide (9β10 metres); side lanes were narrower
- Streets were well-lit β evidence of street lamps (lamp posts found)
- Cities were divided into two parts: Citadel (upper town) and Lower Town
ποΈ Citadel vs Lower Town
| Feature | Citadel (Upper Town) | Lower Town |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Elevated platform (west) | Ground level (east) |
| Residents | Ruling class, priests | Common people, merchants |
| Structures | Great Bath, granaries, assembly halls | Residential houses, workshops |
| Fortification | Fortified with thick walls | Less fortified |
| Example | Mohenjo-daro citadel | Mohenjo-daro lower town |
π The Great Bath β Mohenjo-daro
- Located in the citadel of Mohenjo-daro
- Dimensions: 12m Γ 7m Γ 2.4m deep
- Made of burnt bricks with bitumen waterproofing
- Steps on both ends; changing rooms on sides
- Surrounded by a corridor and rooms
- Purpose: Ritual bathing β religious/ceremonial significance
- Described by archaeologist John Marshall as “the earliest public water tank in the ancient world”
πΎ Granaries
- Large granaries found at Harappa and Mohenjo-daro β evidence of centralised food storage
- Harappa granary: Located near the river for easy loading/unloading
- Evidence of state control over food distribution
- Air ducts in granary floors β to prevent grain from rotting
πΏ Drainage System β World’s First
- Every house had a bathroom and toilet connected to drains
- House drains connected to covered street drains
- Street drains had manholes for cleaning
- Drains made of burnt bricks β durable and hygienic
- Wastewater flowed to soakage pits outside the city
- This drainage system was far superior to contemporary civilisations in Egypt and Mesopotamia
π Houses & Architecture
- Houses made of standardised burnt bricks (ratio 1:2:4 β width:height:length)
- Most houses were two-storey with flat roofs
- Houses had courtyards in the centre
- Doors and windows opened onto side lanes, not main streets (for privacy)
- Evidence of wells in houses β private water supply
- No temples found β suggests religion was practised at home
π Exam Tip:
β’ Great Bath β Mohenjo-daro β ritual bathing
β’ Dockyard β Lothal β trade
β’ Fire altars β Kalibangan and Lothal β religious rituals
β’ Standardised bricks β ratio 1:2:4 β evidence of central authority
β’ No temples found in IVC β unlike Egypt and Mesopotamia
β’ Great Bath β Mohenjo-daro β ritual bathing
β’ Dockyard β Lothal β trade
β’ Fire altars β Kalibangan and Lothal β religious rituals
β’ Standardised bricks β ratio 1:2:4 β evidence of central authority
β’ No temples found in IVC β unlike Egypt and Mesopotamia