QUES . Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture. Answer in 150 words.10 marks. UPSC MAINS 2025. GS PAPER 1

QUES . Write about the chief features of the town planning in Indus Valley Civilisation. UPSC 1996

The architecture of the Indus Valley Civilization was very unique. The architecture during this time was used for the purpose of functions and not for beauty or decoration.

Must read: Arts of the Indus Valley Civilization

The two major sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation, along the Indus river – the cities of Harappa in the north and Mohenjodaro in the south—showcase one of earliest examples of civic planning. Other markers of architecture were houses, markets, storage facilities, offices, public baths, etc., arranged in a grid-like pattern. There was also a highly developed drainage system.

Must read: Lessons from the urban planning and cultural aspects of Indus Valley Civilisation

Systematic Town Planning

The Harappan culture was distinguished by its system of town planning on the lines of the grid system – that is, streets and lanes cutting across one another almost at right angles, thus dividing the city into several rectangular blocks.

Must read: Urban planning and culture in the Indus Valley Civilization

Many of the cities of the Indus Valley civilization were divided into two or more parts: the citadel and the lower town. It is believed that the citadel was a fortified settlement and comprised of some chief structures, such as the great bath and the warehouse, while the lower town consisted of houses and workshops. Only 6 citadels have been found, showing that only priests or higher classes used to live there.
Indus Valley streets and roads were straight and cutting each other at a right angle. The roads were built using burnt bricks.

Must read: Mohenjo-daro : an example of a planned urban centre

Advanced Drainage System

The drainage system of Indus Valley civilization connected all houses to the street drains, which were covered by stone slabs or bricks. Houses with single, double, and more rooms attached with a very good drainage system were found in many of the sites of the Indus Valley.

Must read: Harappan society

Building Materials and Techniques

Harappans used standardized burnt bricks in the ratio 1:2:4 across their territory, indicating uniform measurement systems. While baked bricks dominated Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, mud bricks characterized Kalibangan, and stone featured in Dholavira. Use of local materials for construction shows that architecture adapted to geography.

The Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro showcased waterproofing expertise using finely fitted bricks with gypsum plaster, demonstrating advanced engineering skills.

Public Architecture

Significant structures included the Great Bath (ritualistic bathing), massive granaries on raised platforms (flood protection at Harappa, Mohenjo-daro), and Lothal’s dockyard showcasing hydraulic engineering knowledge.

Residential buildings featured central courtyards with doors opening into smaller lanes ensuring privacy, many being multi-storeyed structures.

Water Management Architecture

Harappans constructed reservoirs, check-dams, and sophisticated water channels to tackle arid environments. Harappan cities, notably Dholavira, featured a network of interconnected reservoirs and large tanks to collect and store rainwater from seasonal streams. Clay and other impervious materials were used in the construction of tanks and channels to prevent water loss.

Grave Architecture

At burials in Harappan sites, the dead were generally laid in pits. Most graves were in rectangular or oblong pits. Some pits were lined with mud bricks, while others featured mud-and-chunam plastering or stone linings.

In some instances, a mud brick tumulus (a mound) was placed over the grave. Complex structures such as double-chambered and L-shaped graves have also been discovered.

Some graves contain pottery and ornaments, indicating a belief that these could be used in the afterlife. Jewellery has been found in burials of both men and women.

Significance

In many ways, Harappan culture serves as an exceptional model for the modern world. The Harappans were unmatched experts in drainage systems, water harvesting and management systems, and town planning. This laid the foundations for present-day urban planning.

The perfection of the drainage system and the private bathrooms in every home show how important cleanliness and hygiene were to the Harappans. As a result, the Harappan civilisation laid the groundwork for both individual and societal hygiene in urban planning.

Must read: Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization

Conclusion

Harappan architecture focused on functional expression rather than pure decoration. There was a concentration of utility factor rather than aesthetic factor. It highlights the sophistication of a society deeply invested in order, hygiene, and sustainability.