MohenjoDaro is a planned urban centre

 MohenjoDaro is a planned urban centre.

• The development of urban centres was the most unique feature of the Harappan civilization.

• First site is Harappan.

•  the cities were divided into two or more parts.

•  The part of the west was smaller but higher called the citadel.

•  The part of the east was larger but lower; this is called a lower town.

•  Both the citadel and lower town were walled.

3.1 Laying out drains.

• Covered drains laid out in straight lines had a gentle slope , drains in houses were connected to those on the streets and smaller drains  led into bigger ones. inspection holes were provided at intervals to clean them. Drains and Streets were laid out first and then houses built. bricks Sun dried baked where of a standardized ratio.

3.2 Domestic architecture

• Lower town- residential buildings.

• Courtyard, was probably the centre of activities such as cooking and weaving.

•  no windows in the walls

•  its own bathroom, Wells, Mohenjo Daro had about 700 wells.

3.3 The Citadel.

• Structures on the citadel where used for special purposes include warehouses and the great bath.

• The great bath was a large rectangular tank. There were two flights of steps on the North and South leading into the tank which was made watertight by setting bricks on edge and using a motor of gypsum. 

• There were rooms on all sides.

• water was probably brought in from a well and drained out after use.

• Perhaps important people took a dip in this tank on special occasions. 

• Other cities such as Kalibangan and Lothal had fire altars, where  sacrifices may have been performed.

•  Some cities like Mohenjo Daro Harappa and Lothal had elaborate store houses.