Indus Valley Civilization Site – Mohenjo-daro

Introduction

Mohenjo-daro was one of the most prominent urban centers of the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600–1900 BCE). Located on the banks of the Indus River in present-day Pakistan, it represents the peak of urban planning, engineering, and socio-economic organization in ancient India.

The name “Mohenjo-daro” literally means “Mound of the Dead”.

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Discovery and Excavation

• Discovered in 1922 by R. D. Banerji.
• Excavations were led by John Marshall.
• It is a Mohenjo-daro UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed in 1980).

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Town Planning of Mohenjo-daro

Mohenjo-daro is considered the best-planned city of the Indus Valley Civilization.

1. Grid Pattern Layout

• City divided into rectangular blocks.
• Streets intersected at right angles (grid system).
• Reflects advanced urban planning.

2. Division of City

• Citadel (Western part):
  • Elevated, possibly administrative/religious area.
• Lower Town (Eastern part):
  • Residential area for common people.

3. Standardized Construction

• Uniform use of baked bricks (ratio 1:2:4).
• Houses built around courtyards.

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Major Architectural Features

1. The Great Bath

• Located in the Citadel.
• One of the most iconic structures of Mohenjo-daro.

Features:

• Rectangular tank (~12 m × 7 m × 2.4 m).
• Waterproofed with bitumen.
• Surrounded by rooms and galleries.
• Separate inlet and outlet for water.

Significance:

• Likely used for ritual bathing.
• Indicates importance of purification practices.

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2. Granary

• Large rectangular structure.
• Possibly used for storage of grains.
• Indicates:
  • Surplus production
  • Organized economy
  • State control or redistribution system

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3. Assembly Hall / Pillared Hall

• Large hall with multiple pillars.
• Possibly used for:
  • Public gatherings
  • Administrative purposes

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4. Residential Buildings

• Houses ranged from small to large.
• Key features:
  • Private wells
  • Bathrooms
  • Courtyards
• Some houses had two storeys.

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Drainage System (Most Advanced Feature)

Mohenjo-daro is globally famous for its highly sophisticated drainage system.

Key Features:

• Covered drains along streets.
• Drains connected to individual houses.
• Use of soak pits.
• Regular intervals for cleaning (inspection holes).

Significance:

• Demonstrates:
  • Advanced engineering
  • Public health awareness
  • Civic administration

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Water Management System

• Numerous wells throughout the city.
• Each house often had access to water.
• Efficient water supply + drainage = urban sanitation model.

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Economic Life

1. Agriculture

• Wheat, barley, pulses cultivated.
• Irrigation possibly practiced.

2. Trade and Commerce

• Trade links with:
  • Mesopotamia
• Evidence:
  • Seals
  • Standardized weights and measures

3. Craft Production

• Bead-making
• Pottery
• Metalwork (bronze, copper)

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Art and Culture

1. Sculpture

• Famous artifacts:
  • Priest-King statue
  • Dancing Girl (Bronze statue)

2. Seals

• Made of steatite.
• Depict animals like:
  • Unicorn
  • Bull

3. Script

• Indus script (undeciphered).

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Social Structure

• No clear evidence of:
  • Kings
  • Palaces
• Suggests:
  • Possibly egalitarian society
  • Strong civic authority instead of monarchy

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Religious Practices

• No temples found.
• Evidence suggests:
  • Ritual bathing (Great Bath)
  • Mother Goddess worship
  • Proto-Shiva (Pashupati seal)

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Decline of Mohenjo-daro

Possible causes:

1. Flooding of Indus River
2. Climate change
3. Decline in trade
4. Earthquakes
5. Gradual urban decay

(No single theory universally accepted)

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Significance of Mohenjo-daro

• Represents earliest urbanization in India
• Shows:
  • Advanced engineering
  • Civic governance
  • Sanitation systems
• Provides insight into:
  • Socio-economic life of Harappans

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Mains Answer Writing Format

Q. Discuss the urban planning and architectural features of Mohenjo-daro.

Introduction:
Mohenjo-daro, a major urban center of the Indus Valley Civilization, exemplifies advanced planning and civic organization.

Body:

• Grid pattern town planning
• Citadel and Lower Town division
• Great Bath (ritual importance)
• Granary and public buildings
• Advanced drainage system
• Standardized construction

Conclusion:
Mohenjo-daro reflects a highly organized and technologically advanced civilization, highlighting the sophistication of early Indian urban culture.

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Prelims Pointers

• Located in Sindh (Pakistan)
• Discovered by R. D. Banerji (1922)
• Known for Great Bath & drainage system
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Indus script → undeciphered

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