How was the drainage system of Harappan city?
The Harappan city had a well-planned drainage system where every house had a drain connected to the street drains which further were connected to the bigger drains. The drains were also covered with the stone slabs that were laid in straight lines along with inspection holes for the cleanup purpose.
How did people live in Harappan city?
People built one or two-story houses on either side of the roads with rooms built around a courtyard. The Harappan city had a well-planned drainage system where every house had a drain connected to the street drains which further were connected to the bigger drains.
What is Harappa civilisation?
What is Civilisation? Harappa is known to be a 4700 years old city in the subcontinent which was discovered around the time 1920. Soon after the discovery of cities like Lothal, Dholavira, Mohenjodaro, and Kalibangan have also been discovered and were come to be known as the Harappan cities or also the advent of Harappan Civilization.
Why did the Harappan civilization suddenly end?
The Harappan civilization suddenly seems to have started to end around 3900 years ago. People stopped living in many cities. Writing seals and weights became extinct. Raw materials were now rarely imported. Some scholar says that it is due to the drying of rivers while some have explained it to the cause of deforestation.
How was the drainage system planned in Harappa?
Drainage System: The drainage system of the Harappan cities was the best known to the world in ancient times. The brickwork prevented the dirty water from leaking. Wooden screens stopped the solid wastes from being washed away with the water. Drains were built on either side of the roads.
Did the Harappan people have sewers and drains?
The most representative places of the Harappan culture of that very period are the sites of Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro and Lothal [2]. Similarly to the Minoans, the Harappans have developed advanced sewerage and drainage systems.
What was the pattern of roads and streets in Harappan civilization?
Roads of the Harappa civilisation were well laid in straight lines which intersected each other at right angles. The main road in Mohenjo-daro was about 10.5 meters wide and 800 meters long. the roads formed a grid pattern.
How were the streets in Harappan civilization?
The streets were straight and cut each other at right angles. They were 13 to 34 feet wide and were well lined. The streets and roads divided the city into rectangular blocks. Archaeologists have discovered the lamp posts at intervals.
What kind of drainage system did the Indus people had in their houses?
In the drainage systems, drains from houses were connected to wider public drains. Many of the buildings at Mohenjo-Daro had two or more stories. Water from bathrooms on the roofs and upper stories was carried through enclosed terracotta pipes or open chutes that emptied onto the street drains.
Why it is said that the drainage system of Harappan is very impressive?
Explanation: The most striking feature of this Harappan civilization (Indus Valley Civilization) is that the Indus Valley people had constructed their drainage system on very scientific lines. ... The elaborate drainage system of the Harappan people shows that they had developed a high sense of health and sanitation.
What was the important feature of Harappan streets?
i) Each city was divided into two parts-the raised area called the 'Citadel' and the 'lower town. ' ii) The main streets followed a grid pattern running from north to south or from east to west. iii) The houses at street corners were rounded to allow carts to pass easily.
Which street pattern is used in Indus Valley civilization?
The streets and highways of Indus Valley were all straight and crossed at a right angle. All of the roads were built with burnt bricks, with each brick's length being four times its height and its breadth being two times its height. Straight streets connected at right angles.
What was the most unique features of Harappan cities?
Ans: The most unique feature of the Harappan Civilization was the development of urban centres. Mohenjodaro is the most well-known site of Harappan Civilization. structure of 'Great Bath' suggested that it was meant for some kind of special ritual bath. The Lower Town The lower town was also walled.
What were drains made of in Harappa?
The street drains were typically made of baked brick, with special shaped bricks to form corners. The bricks were closely fitted and sealed with mud mortar. Gregory Possehl observes that over time, the same drains were reused by raising the walls with more bricks.
What were the streets like in Mohenjo Daro?
“By 2600 BC, Mohenjo-daro in the Indus Valley (present-day Pakistan) was built with blocks divided by a grid of straight streets, laid out in perfect right angles, running north-south and east-west. Each block was subdivided by small lanes.
Did Indus Valley have a sewage system?
The most unique aspect of planning during the Indus Valley civilization was the system of underground drainage. The main sewer, 1.5 meters deep and 91 cm across, connected to many north-south and east-west sewers. It was made from bricks smoothened and joined together seamlessly.
What were drains made of in Harappa?
The street drains were typically made of baked brick, with special shaped bricks to form corners. The bricks were closely fitted and sealed with mud mortar. Gregory Possehl observes that over time, the same drains were reused by raising the walls with more bricks.
Did Mohenjo-daro have a sewer system?
Mohenjo‐Daro, a major urban centre of the Indus Civilization, dating to the mid‐third millennium BC has produced evidence of a sophisticated system for supplying water and expelling sewage.
Who discovered drainage system in Harappan civilization?
In 1921-1922 an excavation campaign led by Sir John Hubert Marshall discovered the ruins of the city of Harappa for the first time. In 1922 R.D. Banerjee excavated the site Mohenjodaro at Larkana District Of Sind on the bank of Indus.
What is the Indus Valley civilization?
The Indus Valley Civilization was one of the oldest and developed civilizations of its time. The cities were very well structured and developed. Collection and disposal of waste were also done in a nice manner as a wooden screen was placed at end of the main sewer, this shows that they were also aware of water pollution. Streets were also construed in an engineering style and also made up of burnt bricks and having well drainage system. It’s very unfortunate that none of the Harappan architecture has completely survived the test of time all we see today are that ruins are very sophisticated. An advanced civilization whose architecture continues to be the center of historical debate for so many because so many remains are excavated and unexplored.
What are the two sections of Mohenjo Daro?
Archeological excavations at Mohenjo-Daro exposed that the city of Mohenjo-Daro was divided into two sections: the citadel and the lower town. Higher but smaller areas belong to the Citadels while the lower town was larger in areas. It is believed that the citadel was a fortified settlement and comprised of some chief structures such as the great bath and the warehouse while the lower town consisted of houses and workshops. Only 6 citadels have been found showing that only priests or higher classes used to live there.
What were the roads in the Indus Valley made of?
All the roads were built using burnt bricks and the length of each brick was four times the height of the brick and the breadth was two times the height of the brick.
What was the purpose of sewers in the city?
At the end of the main sewer was a wooden screen that kept back the solid waste but allowed the liquids to continue through and to a cesspool. From there the waste was taken from the cesspool and into the river estuary. They were also used for taking used dirty water out of the city .
Where is the Indus Valley?
This famous civilization is also known as Indus Valley Civilization and it was a Bronze Age civilization, situated in the present geographical location from North-West India to North-East Afghanistan and Pakistan. This civilization flourished in the river basins of the Indus and the Ghaggar-Hakra River and is famous for its systematic planning based on the grid system.
Where were the Harappan cities found?
These Harappan sites have been found around the Indus River, proving the existence of the Indus Valley Civilization.
What did Harappans grow?
Harappans began to grow wheat, rice, pulse, sesame seeds, barley, pea, linseed and mustard. The plough was used to plough the earth to shift the soil and sow the seeds. Water was collected and delivered to the farms when the plants grew. Harappans brought up cattle, sheep, goat and buffalo.
What were the most common objects found in the Harappan civilization?
Most of the objects that were made and found in the cities of the Harappan civilization were of stone, shell and metal, including copper, bronze, gold and silver. Copper and bronze were used for the production of tools, weapons, ornaments and vessels. Gold and silver have been used in the making of ornaments and vessels.
How many parts are there in Dholavira?
Dholavira was divided into three parts, and each part was enclosed by huge stone walls, with entryways through gateways. And there was a large open area in the establishment, where public celebrations took place. Large letters from the Harappan script were engraved in white stone and carved in wood.
Why did the drains in the houses have slopes?
Each drain had a gentle slope to allow the water to flow through it. The drains in the houses were linked to the roads and smaller drains, which eventually led to larger ones. All three of them, i.e. houses, drains and streets were designed and constructed at the same time.
Why did the cities of Pakistan end?
We're not sure why this happened. Some researches show that the rivers had dried up. Others indicate that there has been deforestation. There were floods in some areas. But neither of those reasons could explain the end of all the cities. It also seems as if the rulers had also lost control. Sites in Sindh and West Punjab (presently Pakistan) have been abandoned, while many had relocated to newer, smaller settlements to the east and south.
When was Harappa discovered?
Harappa is known to be a 4700-year-old city in the subcontinent that was discovered around the time of 1920.
What is the Harappan civilization's town planning system?
The town planning of the Harappan civilization upholds the fact that the civic establishments of the city were highly developed. They followed a system of centralized administration.
What is the urban planning of Harappa?
The urban planning of the Harappan has become a landmark for the contemporary civilization and we can get a hint of the modern-day swimming pools and storehouses from their concept of bathing pools and granaries. Overall the Harappa town planning was very scientific and clearly indicates that the Harappan were chiefly urban people.
How big is the Great Granary at Harappa?
Great granary at Harappa measuring 169 fit x 135 fit. Attached to the granary were two-roomed tenements with a common courtyard.
What were the buildings in the Indus cities made of?
Building Materials: No stone-built house in the Indus cities and the staircases of big buildings were solid; the roofs were flat and were made of wood.
Was Harappa planning scientific?
Overall the Harappa town planning was very scientific and clearly indicates that the Harappan were chiefly urban people. Some probable question for prelims and mains given below, which IAS aspirants can practice.
What is the Harappan civilization?
Harappan civilization is one of the most ancient civilizations of the world. It was believed to be a hub of art and culture and architecture. The discoveries made at these architectural sights give us great insight into the lives and lifestyles of our ancestors.
What was the drainage system in Harappan?
The Harappan city had a well-planned drainage system where every house had a drain connected to the street drains which further were connected to the bigger drains. The drains were also covered with the stone slabs that were laid in straight lines along with inspection holes for the cleanup purpose.
What did the Harappans grow?
Harappans grew wheat, barley, pulses, peas, rice, sesame, linseed, and mustard. They also developed some new tools known as plough and was used to dig earth for planting the seeds and turning the soil. A method of irrigation was used due to less rainfall. The Harappan reared cattle sheep, goat, and buffalo.
How many occupations were there in Harappan cities?
Ans. There were three basic occupations of people living in Harappan cities.
When was Harappa discovered?
Introduction to Harappan Civilization. Harappa is known to be a 4700 years old city in the subcontinent which was discovered around the time 1920.
What were Harappan objects made of?
Harappan objects were made of stone, Shell, and metal. Copper and bronze were used to make tools, weapons, ornaments, and vessels. Gold and silver were used to make ornaments and vessels. Harappans also made stone seals. They made pots with beautiful black designs.
What is the Harappan civilization?
Harappan civilization is one of the most ancient civilizations of the world. It was believed to be a hub of art and culture and architecture. The discoveries made at these architectural sights give us great insight into the lives and lifestyles of our ancestors. Let us learn about this very important part of our history.
What type of drainage system did Harappan have?
People built one or two-story houses on either side of the roads with rooms built around a courtyard. The Harappan city had a well-planned drainage system where every house had a drain connected to the street drains which further were connected to the bigger drains.
What did the Harappan farmers grow?
Some of the farming methods and rearing as followed by the Harappan farmers and herders are. Harappans grew wheat, barley, pulses, peas, rice, sesame, linseed, and mustard.
What were Harappan objects made of?
Harappan objects were made of stone, Shell, and metal. Copper and bronze were used to make tools, weapons, ornaments, and vessels. Gold and silver were used to make ornaments and vessels. Harappans also made stone seals. They made pots with beautiful black designs.
When was Harappa discovered?
Harappa is known to be a 4700 years old city in the subcontinent which was discovered around the time 1920. Soon after the discovery of cities like Lothal, Dholavira, Mohenjodaro, and Kalibangan have also been discovered and were come to be known as the Harappan cities or also the advent of Harappan Civilization.
What tools did the Harappan use?
They also developed some new tools known as ploughs and were used to dig the earth for planting the seeds and turning the soil. A method of irrigation was used due to less rainfall. The Harappan reared cattle sheep, goats, and buffalo. Water and pastures were present around many sites.
What are the environmental settings of the Harappan civilization?
The environmental setting of the Harappan Civilization includes two major river systems and its flood plains, the Indus and the Ghaggar-Hakra (now dry); the highlands and plateaus of Baluchistan to the west, and the mountainous regions of northern Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India to the northwest and north. These geographical regions include highlands and lowlands, coasts and interior with distribution of land suitable for agriculture and pastoralism, the location of specific resources the procurement of which influenced the patterns of social and economic interaction and helped define social status.
When did the Harappan culture start?
A date of 2600 B.C. marks the approximate beginning of the urban fabric of the Harappans with the unification of the urban settlements, the use of writing, weights, Harappan-type ceramic designs, civic planning, etc and is believed to have disintegrated by 2100-1900 B.C. (Shaffer, 1991).
What are the phases of the Harappan culture?
Identification of three phases of the Harappan culture- Early Harappan (3300-2600 BC), Mature Harappan (2600-2000 BC) and Late Harappan (2000-1700 BC) suggests cultural processes origin, development and decline of the culture.
Why are urban Harappans so different from their predecessors?
The urban Harappans can be easily differentiated from their predecessors and successors on the basis of their use of writing which was used for identification of ownership of goods or economic transactions, accounting, the recording of socio-political or ritual events (Fairservis, 1983; Parpola, 1986). The origins of this writing system is not clear and till date has not been deciphered due to the lack of a bilingual text and also because the inscriptions are very short, usually only of about five discrete symbols (Parpola, 1979).
When was Mehrgarh excavations?
Of many excavations undertaken over a long period of time in the Subcontinent, the one carried out at Mehrgarh between 1974 and 1985 (Jarrige et al. 1995) is in a real sense an epoch making. Not only that it has provided the first evidence of a settled life in the Indian Subcontinent going back to the seventh millennium BC, but also solid evidence it has produced supporting the steady growth of the Harappan elements. The evidence that came out of this excavation lay to rest the earlier controversial theory of the Western world being responsible for the emergence of the Harappan Civilization. The excavations have demonstrated seven different stages of development prior to the emergence of the Harappan culture, beginning with the Aceramic Neolihtic. What is evident here is the introduction of various Harappan elements at various different levels at the site throughout the first seven phases, culminating into the emergence of the Harappan culture in the last stage/phase (VIII). Three different phases of the Harappan culture Early, Mature and Late demonstrate cultural processes from origin-development to decline of the culture. The Mature Harappan phase is most prosperous one in which is found the development of the Civilization/urbanization and evidence from various excavated sites now leads us to believe it has emerged out of the Early Harappan phase. As is evident the process of transformation from Early to Mature Harappan appears to have happened simultaneously over the major Harappan region including Baluchistan, Sindh, Ghaggar and Gujrat.
How many wells are there in Mohen Jo Daro?
A group of houses are associated with one or more private wells and approximately 700 wells have been identified in the core area of Mohen-jo Daro, (Jansen, 1989). The number of wells and their association with neighbourhoods could indicate a need for discrete and relatively private water sources.
Was the Harappan civilization homogeneous?
The earlier belief that the Harappan Civilization (Mature Harappan phase) was a homogenous has turned out to be a myth. Within the Harappan region we find manifestation of the regional variation and three such regional variations (Domain according to Possehl (2002) can very distinctly be identified.
What Was Special About Harappan Cities?
New Crafts in The City
in Search of Raw Materials
Food For People in The Cities
A Closer Look – Harappan Towns in Gujarat
The Mystery of The End
- About 3900 years ago, we discovered the start of a major change. People stopped residing in a lot of cities. Harappan seals and weights were not used. Raw materials carried from long distances were becoming rare. In Mohenjodaro, we find that the garbage piled up on the streets, the drainage system broken, and new, less remarkable houses were constr...