Mohenjo-daro

Name of Site: Mohenjo-daro

Location: Mohenjo- daro, Larkana District

Date of Existence: Mature period 2600 BC-1900 BC

Mohenjo-daro, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, provides a glimpse into the advanced urban planning and architectural prowess of its inhabitants. Located in Larkana District, Mohenjo-daro thrived around 2600 to 1900 BC, and its ruins reveal a sophisticated city layout that stands as a testament to the ingenuity of its planners and builders.

The city is divided into upper and lower city. The upper city contains administrative building, College of Priests, and Great Bath. The College of Priests symbolized the advanced societal organization and cultural sophistication of Mohenjo-daro, underscoring the significance of spirituality and knowledge in ancient urban life. The Great Bath, a significant structure is earliest one known in the history of mankind, possibly served ritualistic and domestic purposes, emphasizing the importance of water in daily life. The public buildings provide a socio-cultural heart of the city as well as played a pivotal role in the spiritual and intellectual fabric of the community. Religious rituals and scholarly pursuits are carried out in the upper city. It suggested a vibrant community engaged in religious practices and education as compared to Egyptian or Mesopotamian civilization. In the later years a so-called Buddhist stupa was constructed in the upper city which now dominate the skyline of ancient city.

The urban plan is characterized by a well-organized grid system, with streets arranged in a north-south and east-west orientation. The city’s layout suggests an advance level of urban planning, with streets crossing at right angles, forming regular blocks. This grid system is indicative of a deliberate approach to city planning, emphasizing order and efficiency. The city was divided into two major sectors: a western sector and an eastern sector. Each sector contained a distinct pattern of residential and commercial areas. The western part housed the citadel, likely a religious or administrative center, while the eastern part accommodated the majority of residential and commercial spaces. This zoning indicates a conscious effort to separate different functions within the city. The houses had introverted planning. For the sake of privacy, all the windows faced internal courtyard. No entrance doors of opposing houses in the street faced each other. some of the houses were multistoried. The city features double storied structures, a remarkable achievement considering its antiquity. Some buildings had as many as three floors, showcasing an advanced understanding of construction techniques and materials. These multistoried structures likely served residential or commercial purposes, underscoring the city’s vertical development.: A staircase has been identified in one of the houses. The roofs were wooden using post and lintel system.

Almost every house in Mohenjo-Daro was equipped with a “bathroom”. This consisted of a shallow basin or platform, approximately 3 feet square in size, built of sharp-edged bricks which sloped towards an outlet connected to the street drain outside. Animal figurines retrieved from soak pits incorporated in house drainage systems may suggest a ritual significance for these elaborate bathing facilities, which could not have served the interests of hygiene alone. Mohenjo-daro boasts a sophisticated drainage system that highlights the planners’ understanding of sanitation. The city had a network of well-laid-out brick-lined drains beneath its streets. These drains were designed to efficiently carry away wastewater, preventing stagnation and minimizing the risk of waterborne diseases. These brick-lined structures were meticulously crafted, reaching depths of up to 50 feet. Serving as vital water sources, they sustained the city’s inhabitants with access to clean, potable water. The careful design of these wells reflected the civilization’s advanced urban planning, emphasizing the importance of efficient water management in supporting the thriving community of Mohenjo-daro. An estimated 700 draw wells with an average catchment area radius of 60 feet represented a frequency of wells; this is unparalleled in the history of water supply systems. The actual innovation in Mohenjo-Daro was the provision of a network of water supply points within the built-up urban area, from which water could be fetched conveniently as required, and then brought to the place of consumption.

One of the most iconic architectural features of Mohenjo-daro is the Great Bath. This large, rectangular structure is believed to have had religious and ritualistic significance. The Great Bath was lined with bricks and featured a sophisticated plumbing system, with channels for water inlet and outlet. The construction and layout of the Great Bath exemplify the advanced engineering skills of the city’s architects.

The architecture of Mohenjo-daro is characterized by the use of standardized bricks, indicative of a centralized authority overseeing construction. The bricks were made with precision, displaying a uniform size and quality. This standardization suggests a high level of organization and control in the production process, contributing to the city’s overall architectural coherence. The architectural design of public buildings and residential blocks are based on module. The basic module is danda and all the planning is based on it.

Mohenjo-daro stands as a marvel of ancient urban planning and architecture. The city’s grid layout, division into sectors, advanced drainage systems, and multistoried structures showcase a level of sophistication that was unparalleled in its time. The meticulous planning and execution of Mohenjo-daro’s infrastructure highlight the ingenuity and organizational capabilities of its ancient inhabitants. Despite the centuries that have passed since its heyday, the ruins of Mohenjo-daro continue to be a source of inspiration for architects, urban planners, sanitation engineers, and historians, offering valuable insights into the complexities of ancient civilizations.