Sophisticated town planning was essential to their way of life. This included grid-patterned streets, separated citadels and lower towns, and advanced drainage systems.
13652
What is the most distinguishing feature of the Indus Valley Civilization?
The Indus Valley Civilization is recognized as the earliest known urban culture in the Indian subcontinent, characterized by its planned cities, brick architecture, and civic amenities.
13653
Which archaeologist is credited with the initial discovery of the Mohenjo-Daro site in 1922?
Rakhal Das Banerji, an officer of the Archaeological Survey of India, discovered the Mohenjo-daro site in 1920-1922 while investigating a Buddhist stupa located on the mound.
13654
The script used by the Indus Valley Civilization is hypothesized by some scholars to be related to:
While the script remains undeciphered, many scholars propose that the underlying language is Dravidian, suggesting a linguistic link to the languages currently spoken in southern India.
13655
To which cultural age do the artifacts of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro belong?
The Harappan civilization is classified as Chalcolithic or Bronze Age because the people used tools made of stone and copper/bronze. Over 1,400 sites from this era have been identified.
13656
The town planning of the Harappan Civilization was primarily driven by a concern for:
The civilization placed a high priority on hygiene. This is evident in their advanced drainage systems, waste water management, and the presence of private wells and bathing areas in homes.
13657
Which material was occasionally used for seals, though less common than steatite, in the Harappan Civilization?
While the majority of Harappan seals were carved from steatite (soft stone), excavations have also yielded seals made from terracotta, faience, and occasionally gold or ivory.
13658
The fortifications found in large Harappan towns primarily served which purpose?
The massive walls and fortifications around Harappan cities were multi-purpose. They provided security against human threats like robbers and raiders, while also acting as barriers against the frequent flooding of the rivers.
13659
What was the layout characteristic of the streets in Indus Valley cities?
The cities featured wide, straight streets that intersected at right angles. Main streets could be up to 10 meters wide, accommodating two-way traffic of bullock carts.
13660
Which scholar is credited with the first major excavation that identified the Harappan Civilization site in 1921?
Rai Bahadur Daya Ram Sahni supervised the excavation of the Harappa site in 1921-22. His work provided the first concrete evidence of this ancient urban civilization.
