The Legacy of Harappan Urban Planning: A Journey Through Ancient Innovations

HARAPPAN CIVILISATION: CONTRIBUTION TO ANCIENT INDIAN KNOWLEDGE AND TOWN PLANNING

The Harappans were pioneers in urban planning, establishing cities like Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, Dholavira, and Rakhigarhi that showcased advanced infrastructure. Their towns were meticulously laid out in a grid pattern, with streets running at right angles, dividing the cities into blocks. They featured multi-tiered houses, public baths, granaries, and well-designed drainage systems. Each house had access to a sophisticated sewage network, and public wells were strategically placed to ensure a consistent water supply. This level of urban planning has set an example for modern town development.

Unique Features of Harappan City Planning

Harappan cities were distinguished by several unique features:

• Grid Layout: Streets and lanes were laid out in a grid, ensuring a planned and organized urban space.
• Drainage System: Each house had its own private or semi-private bathroom connected to a central sewage system. These covered drains ensured the cleanliness of the city and even had manholes for cleaning.
• Water Management: Harappans constructed public wells, step wells, and sophisticated rainwater harvesting systems. Sites like Dholavira had large reservoirs and advanced water storage facilities, crucial for managing the arid climate of the region.
• Waste Disposal: Excavations have revealed the use of dustbins and garbage collection systems. Dustbins were found along streets, and proper waste disposal was practiced in these cities.
• Public Baths: The Great Bath in Mohenjo-Daro exemplifies advanced public infrastructure. It was a massive pool made of waterproof bricks and used for ritualistic purposes, demonstrating the Harappans’ commitment to hygiene and public welfare.
• Zoning: Cities were divided into different areas for residential, commercial, and administrative purposes, a practice that is still followed in modern cities.

Continuing Practices from the Harappan Civilisation

Many urban planning concepts, such as sewage systems, public water facilities, and residential zoning, trace their roots to the Harappan civilisation. Advanced pottery techniques, drainage layouts, and architectural practices from Harappan times continue to influence modern practices. In many parts of India, ancient city structures and layouts still reflect these Harappan innovations.

Global Influence of Harappan Knowledge Systems

The unique level of organization and foresight in Harappan town planning has influenced subsequent civilisations. The use of well-planned towns, drainage, and water management systems demonstrates that their knowledge systems were advanced, contributing to global urban development. The notion that such practices were introduced by the West is increasingly challenged by discoveries showing that these advancements originated with the Harappans.

Evidence of a Peaceful Society

Archaeological findings suggest that the Harappans were peaceful, with no evidence of large-scale warfare. Their cities do not show signs of fortification or large-scale destruction due to conflicts. Their focus on urban planning and public welfare indicates a society more concerned with organization and peace than with military conquest.

The Role of National Education Policy (NEP) in Promoting Indic Knowledge Systems (IKS)

NEP 2020 includes the promotion of Indic Knowledge Systems (IKS) to acknowledge the contributions of ancient Indian civilisations like the Harappans. The establishment of courses and research on IKS aims to highlight the advanced knowledge in urban planning, architecture, and public infrastructure seen in the Harappan civilisation. This policy promotes the study of these ancient practices as a way to integrate them into modern educational and urban development strategies.