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Home/Anthropology/Mains PYQ/2018/Paper I/Prehistoric Archaeology
UPSC MainsAnthropology Optional Paper I 2018 10 Marks Model Answer Available

Town Planning of Harappan Culture — 2018 Paper I

Question · 2018 · Paper I · 10 Marks

Town Planning of Harappan Culture

Model Answer

VAID ICS

Approach

  • Demand of Question: Describe the distinctive urban-planning features of Harappan settlements.
  • Structuring the Response: Discuss street layout, settlement divisions, drainage, standardized construction and civic facilities with site-specific examples.
  • Key Dimensions to Cover: Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Dholavira, grid planning, drainage, standardized bricks, Great Bath, wells and water management.

Model Answer

Introduction: Town planning was one of the most distinctive achievements of the Mature Harappan Civilization. Sites such as Mohenjo-daro, Harappa and Dholavira reveal sophisticated civic organization, though planning varied regionally.

Major features:

  1. Planned streets: Many settlements followed an approximately grid-like pattern, with major streets intersecting smaller lanes.
  2. Settlement divisions: At several sites, elevated sectors conventionally called the citadel were distinguished from lower residential areas.
  3. Standardized construction: Burnt and mud bricks frequently followed standardized proportions, indicating technical regulation.
  4. Drainage: Mohenjo-daro possessed an elaborate system of:
  • covered drains;
  • household outlets;
  • soak pits;
  • inspection points.

Thus:

House → Street drain → Larger drainage channel

  1. Water facilities: Numerous private and public wells indicate sophisticated water management.
  2. Public architecture: The Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro demonstrates advanced hydraulic construction.
  3. Dholavira: Displayed exceptional reservoirs, channels and large-scale rainwater-management systems.

Critical point: Harappan towns were not identical; Dholavira, Mohenjo-daro and smaller settlements show significant regional variation.

Conclusion: Harappan town planning reflects advanced knowledge of urban design, sanitation, standardization and water management, pointing to highly organized civic administration.

2026 Thermoluminescence dating method. 2026 Write a detailed note on the characteristic features, chronology, geographical distribution, tool types and lifeways of Magdalenian cultural tradition of Europe. 2026 What are the evidences available regarding crops and domesticated animals of Indus Valley Civilization? What are the views of the scholars regarding Indus script? 2026 Discuss with examples, how general comparative analogy has been used in ethnoarchaeological studies in India.

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