Mains Daily Question
Dec. 4, 2023
Q2. The town planning in the Harappan Civilization shows a high level of sophistication. In this light, discuss the significant features of Harappan town planning. Also, mention the various theories about the decline of the Civilization. (10M, 150W)
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Approach to the answer: Understanding and structuring the answer: Mention how town planning was unique in the introduction and then in the body elaborate significant features along with the theories of the decline of the civilization. Conclude with
Introduction: Type 1: Mention the timeline of the IVC and brief about its significance Type 2: Start with a few features of IVC and transition to IVC’s town planning aspect
Body: Divide the body into three parts: 1) Significant features of the Harappan town planning, 2) The significant features also show a high level of sophistication in town planning and 3) Theories of the decline of the civilization.
Conclusion: Type 1: Conclude that the final theory regarding IVC’s decline is still in debate. Type 2: Conclude with the importance of IVC’s contribution to Indian culture and heritage. |
Answer: The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), also known as Harappan Civilization flourished around 2,500 BC in the western part of South Asia. The Harappan culture was distinguished by its system of town planning.
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Significant features of the Harappan town planning are as follows: |
- Division of the city into the Citadel a mound built on the high podium and the lower town containing brick houses inhabited by the common people.
- The arrangement of the houses in the cities followed a grid system.
- Advanced drainage and sanitation systems of each house were connected with road drains that were covered by stone slabs.
- The other significant features were a well-arranged water supply system, street lightning system, designated places to throw waste material
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The significant features also show high level of sophistication in town planning as: |
- The use of burnt bricks in the Harappan cities was remarkable as buildings in Egypt mainly used dried bricks.
- Harappans laid special emphasis on health and hygiene as seen from the bathroom in every house and well-laid drainage system.
- The town planning also kept in mind the need for storehouses to have provisions during emergencies. For Ex.- Great granaries of Harappa.
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However, the Harappan civilization began to decline around 1800-1500 BC and some of the reason/ theories proposed by historians are as follows: |
- The massive floods in the Indus may have been a potent cause for the extinction of the Harappan culture.
- Repeated seismographic vibrations must have also led to erosion of the decline of the Harappan civilization as it lay in a high seismic region.
- Further, water scarcity must have led to the exodus of the Harappan people to other places.
- The outbreak of the plague epidemic is also shown as a reason for the decline of the Harappan civilization.
- Prof D.D. Kosambi is of the opinion that the Aryan invasion is the reason for the decline of Harappan culture.
It's important to note that the decline of the Harappan Civilization remains a subject of ongoing research and debate among historians and archaeologists. The civilization's decline is likely the result of multiple complex factors, and it might have varied from one region to another within the civilization.
