History Indus Valley Civilization Questions
The urban planning and infrastructure of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, two major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, were highly advanced for their time.
Both cities were carefully planned and laid out on a grid system, with streets running in a north-south and east-west direction. The streets were straight and well-organized, intersecting at right angles, which suggests a high level of urban planning and engineering skills.
The cities were divided into different sectors, with each sector containing multiple buildings and houses. The buildings were made of baked bricks, which were uniform in size and shape, indicating a standardized construction technique. The houses were often multi-story structures, with rooms arranged around a central courtyard.
One of the most remarkable features of these cities was their advanced drainage system. Each house had its own private bathroom and toilet, with a sophisticated network of drains and sewers that connected to a larger underground drainage system. This system ensured the efficient disposal of waste and maintained cleanliness in the cities.
Both Harappa and Mohenjo-daro had public wells and bathing platforms, indicating a focus on hygiene and sanitation. The cities also had public granaries, suggesting a well-organized system of food storage and distribution.
In terms of infrastructure, the cities had fortified walls made of mud bricks, which served as a defense mechanism against external threats. The cities also had public buildings, such as the Great Bath in Mohenjo-daro, which was a large water tank used for ritual bathing and possibly as a public gathering place.
Overall, the urban planning and infrastructure of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro demonstrate the advanced engineering and organizational skills of the Indus Valley Civilization. These cities were well-designed, with a focus on cleanliness, sanitation, and efficient management of resources.