1.4. Mohanjodaro A Planned Urban Centre

Perhaps the most unique feature of the Harappan civilisation was the development of urban centres. Let us look at one such centre, Mohenjodaro, more closely. Although Mohenjodaro is the most well-known site, the first site to be discovered was Harappa. The settlement is divided into two sections, one smaller but higher and the other much larger but lower.

Mohenjo-daro is a prominent urban center of the Harappan civilization, known for its advanced city planning. The layout consists of two distinct sections: a high citadel and a larger, lower town. The citadel was elevated, which provided a strategic advantage, while the lower town encompassed residential and commercial areas. This division indicates organized urban planning, where different sectors served specific functions.

Think of Mohenjo-daro like a modern city where there are skyscrapers (the citadel) in the downtown area and residential neighborhoods (the lower town) all around. Just like today's urban designs that separate business areas from living spaces, Mohenjo-daro was planned to fulfill different societal needs.

Archaeologists designate these as the Citadel and the Lower Town respectively. The Citadel owes its height to the fact that buildings were constructed on mud brick platforms. It was walled, which meant that it was physically separated from the Lower Town. The Lower Town was also walled. Several buildings were built on platforms, which served as foundations.

The Citadel of Mohenjo-daro is significant as it housed important structures, possibly for administrative or religious purposes. Its height and wall fortifications suggest a protective function and a clear distinction from the Lower Town where everyday life occurred. This planning reflects a complex society capable of large-scale construction and organization.

Imagine a university campus where the library and administrative offices (the Citadel) are placed on a higher elevation than the student dormitories and classrooms (the Lower Town). This layout ensures that important functions are centralized and protected, while daily activities occur in a more accessible area.

One of the most distinctive features of Harappan cities was the carefully planned drainage system. If you look at the plan of the Lower Town you will notice that roads and streets were laid out along an approximate 'grid' pattern, intersecting at right angles. It seems that streets with drains were laid out first and then houses built along them.

Mohenjo-daro's drainage system demonstrates advanced engineering for its time. The grid pattern of streets allowed for efficient movement and effective waste management. Houses had drains leading to the streets, showcasing foresight in urban planning and public health.

Consider how modern cities like New York or Paris have grid street systems with drainage systems that prevent flooding. Just as workers design city infrastructure to manage rainwater and sewage, the people of Mohenjo-daro created a similar system thousands of years ago for hygiene and convenience.

The Lower Town at Mohenjodaro provides examples of residential buildings. Many were centred on a courtyard, with rooms on all sides. The courtyard was probably the centre of activities such as cooking and weaving, particularly during hot and dry weather.

The design of residential buildings in Mohenjo-daro illustrates a community-focused lifestyle. The presence of a central courtyard suggests that family or communal activities took place outdoors, providing ventilation and a space for social interaction. Moreover, the layout may have been influenced by climatic conditions, maximizing comfort.

Think of a modern house built around a patio or garden, where family members gather, cook, and socialize. Just like these contemporary homes that foster interaction and utilize natural light, the houses in Mohenjo-daro were designed to enhance community life.

On the Citadel, we find evidence of structures that were probably used for special public purposes. These include the warehouse – a massive structure of which the lower brick portions remain – and the Great Bath, a large rectangular tank in a courtyard surrounded by a corridor on all four sides.

The Great Bath represents not just architectural prowess but possibly social and ritual significance within Harappan society. It may have served as a communal area for bathing or religious ceremonies, indicating a cultural importance to water. The warehouse likely functioned for storage and trade, which were vital for the economy.

Consider a community center in a neighborhood that has a large swimming pool and storage facilities for supplies. Just like these modern amenities cater to social and practical needs, the Great Bath and warehouse at Mohenjo-daro were essential to the city's functioning and social life.

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