The Harappan Civilisation — Question 2
Back to all questions(a) Three Characteristic features of town planning of Harappan Civilization are:
- Each city was divided into two parts- the raised area (citadel) and the lower town.
- House drains emptied all waste water into the street drains.
- The streets crossed the main road at right angles, dividing the roads into square or rectangular blocks.
(b) Three special features of the houses of the people are:
- The buildings had a deep foundation and were constructed according to a set plan on high mounds in order to protect them from floods.
- The houses were made of brick and wood. Each house had doors, windows and ventilators. Doors and windows opened on the side of the streets and not on the main roads.
- The size of houses varied from a single room tenements to bigger houses with courtyards, upto twelve rooms, private wells and toilets. Each house had covered drains connected to street drains.
(c) The two common elements between Mohenjo-daro and Harappa are:
- Both cities are located on river banks — Mohenjo-daro on the right bank of the Indus, and Harappa on left bank of the Ravi.
- Both measured around 5.0 km in circuit.
Chapter Overview: The Harappan Civilisation
The Harappan (Indus Valley) Civilisation was one of the world’s earliest urban civilisations, flourishing from approximately 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE along the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra river systems. It covered parts of present-day India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, making it the largest of the ancient civilisations. Major sites include Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Lothal, Kalibangan, Dholavira, and Rakhigarhi.
The civilisation was remarkable for its advanced town planning with grid-pattern streets, sophisticated drainage systems, standardised baked bricks, granaries, and public baths (the Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro). The Harappans engaged in agriculture (wheat, barley, cotton), crafts (pottery, bead-making, metallurgy), and long-distance trade with Mesopotamia. The undeciphered Harappan script, absence of monumental temples, and evidence of a non-monarchical governance structure make it unique among ancient civilisations.
Board Exam Weightage: 5-6 marks | Difficulty: Moderate
Key Sites & Features
| Site | Notable Feature |
|---|---|
| Mohenjo-daro | Great Bath, granary, Dancing Girl bronze statue |
| Harappa | Granaries, workers’ quarters, cemetery (R-37) |
| Lothal (Gujarat) | Dockyard (earliest known), bead-making factory |
| Kalibangan (Rajasthan) | Ploughed field, fire altars |
| Dholavira (Gujarat) | Water reservoirs, stadium, signboard with Harappan script |
Must-Know Concepts
- Town Planning: Grid-pattern streets, citadel and lower town division, underground drainage, standardised bricks (4:2:1 ratio)
- Economy: Agriculture (wheat, barley, rice, cotton), trade with Mesopotamia, use of seals, standardised weights and measures
- Religion: Mother Goddess worship, Pashupati seal (proto-Shiva), sacred animals, tree worship, no temples found
- Script: Boustrophedon writing (right-to-left, then left-to-right); still undeciphered; found on seals
- Decline: Multiple theories — floods, drought, tectonic shifts, Aryan invasion (now debated), climate change, trade disruption
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing specific features with wrong sites (e.g., attributing the dockyard to Mohenjo-daro instead of Lothal)
- Writing that the Harappan script has been deciphered — it remains undeciphered
- Stating that iron was used — the Harappans used copper and bronze, not iron
- Claiming only one cause for decline — always present multiple theories
Scoring Tips
- Pair each site with its unique feature for identification questions
- For town planning answers, cover streets, drainage, bricks, citadel-lower town division systematically
- Mention trade with Mesopotamia and use of seals when discussing economy
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Harappan Civilisation called a Bronze Age civilisation?
The Harappans used copper and tin to make bronze tools and weapons. They did not know the use of iron. This places them in the Bronze Age (approximately 3300–1200 BCE).
What was the Great Bath used for?
The Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro was likely used for ritual bathing and purification ceremonies. It was made waterproof with bitumen and had steps leading down from both sides.
How do we know the Harappans traded with Mesopotamia?
Harappan seals have been found at Mesopotamian sites, and Mesopotamian texts mention trade with “Meluhha” (believed to be the Indus region). Lothal’s dockyard further confirms maritime trade.