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Town Planning and Structures of Harappan civilization

April 25, 2024 1240 0

The town planning and structures of the Harappan civilization reveal a remarkable level of urban sophistication. With meticulously planned cities, advanced drainage systems, and sturdy brick structures, Harappan towns exemplify early urban planning and engineering prowess.

Characteristics of Harappan civilization

  • Harappan civilization was distinguished by its system of civic planning. 
  • Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Dholavira, Lothal, Surkotada, Kalibangan, Banawali, and Rakhigarhi were the major cities in the Harappan period. 
  • In most cases, the cities were divided into two parts: 
    • Lower Part: The common citizenry lived and carried on their professional lives in this part of the city. 
    • Citadel or Acropolis/Raised Part: This part occupied a smaller area and was frequently situated west of the city. It contained public buildings, granaries, and essential workshops. 

Lower Towns: Grid Streets and Standardized Brick Construction

  • City planning followed a grid pattern, with streets cutting at right angles
  • Planning also involved laying streets first, then building houses along them.
    • The streets were broad, dividing the town into rectangular and square blocks.
  • For construction, they used burnt bricks and stones.
  • The houses were built of mud bricks and drainages of burnt bricks. 
    • The bricks were of identical 1: 2: 4 ratio in terms of thickness, width, and length across all Harappan structures. 

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  • The contemporary buildings in Egypt mainly used dried bricks  for construction. 
  • We find the use of baked bricks in contemporary Mesopotamia, but they were used to a much larger extent in the Harappan cities.
  • The houses had bathrooms paved with burnt bricks and proper drains
  • Houses varied in size, with two or more stories and multiple rooms, but were quite monotonous.
  • Many of the houses had a central courtyard with rooms all around.
  • The courtyard was the center of the residential building, with rooms on all sides. It was the centre of activities such as cooking and weaving.
  • In Kalibangan many houses had wells, often in a room that could be reached from the outside and perhaps used by passers-by.
Drainage System

  • Every house was connected to the street drains. 
  • The main channels were made of bricks set in mortar and were covered with loose bricks or limestone that could be removed for cleaning. 
  • House drains first emptied into a sump or cesspit into which solid matter settled while wastewater flowed out into the street drains. 
  • Very long drainage channels were provided at intervals with sumps for cleaning.

Citadel of Harappan Civilization

  • It was constructed on a mud-brick platform and was physically separated from Lower Town through a wall.
  • It had important residential structures, possibly occupied by members of the ruling class.
  • It contained structures that were used for particular public purposes. These include the Great Bath and the Warehouse (Granary).
The Great Bath (Mohenjo-daro)

  • It was meant for some kind of special ritual bath
  • It was a large rectangular tank in a courtyard surrounded by a corridor on all four sides. 
  • The floor of the bath was made of burnt bricks.
  • There were side rooms for changing clothes.
  • The bricks were laid watertight with gypsum mortar.
  • Granaries: They constituted an important part of the Harappan sites.
    • The Great Granary was the largest building in Mohenjo-daro.
    • There were six granaries in the citadel of Harappa
    • Circular brick platforms were evidently meant for threshing grains because wheat and barley have been found in the crevices of the floors.
    • At Kalibangan, the southern part of the brick platform may have been used for granaries.

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Conclusion 

  • The town planning and structures of the Harappan civilization represent a pinnacle of ancient urban development. 
    • Through their orderly layouts, elaborate infrastructure, and robust architecture, Harappan cities provide valuable insights into early human settlement patterns and technological achievements, leaving a lasting legacy in the annals of history.
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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
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