Mohenjodaro
1. Mohenjodaro
Context:
Recent archaeological analyses of Mohenjodaro emphasize its highly sophisticated public planning, civic sanitation, and uniquely egalitarian structure.
Facts for Prelims
Mohenjo-daro flourished between 2500 BCE and 1900 BCE along the Indus River in Sindh, Pakistan.
It was contemporary with ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
It was first excavated by Rakhal Das Bandyopadhyay (R. D. Banerji) in 1922 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
Public Architecture & Features at Mohenjodaro
Structure / Feature
Key Architectural Characteristics and Functions
Citadel Platforms
Huge artificial mud-brick foundations raised
to protect major public buildings from
periodic Indus River floods.
The Great Bath
A 51.6 X 31 watertight tank paved with gypsum-mortared bricks and drained via a human-sized corbelled brick conduit.
Ablution Building
Located north of the Great Bath Features two rows of eight brick paved Bathroomsconnected to an outer access well.
Pillared/Assembly Hall
A 26.4 X 21.2 covered public spacesupported by 20 rectangular masonry piers.
The Palace
A vast operational space in the Lower Town
containing two large open courts, industrial kilns, a long drainage corridor, and storage
quarters.
Civic Drains & Public Wells
Comprehensive brick covered street drains fed by domestic terracotta waste chutes. Over 55% of the site's 69 wells served public or official functional areas.