How far harappan civilisation town planning is similar to modern town planning.Explain with examples
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The field is very vast and diverse. I will try to give an encapsulated version of the subject.
History of town planning in India may be divided into 6 important periods –
the Indus Valley Period; the Vedic period; The Pre-medieval period ( The Mauryas till advent of Mughals) ; The Mughal Rule Period; The British Colonial Period;Post- Independence Period
1. Indus Valley Town Planning (3300 BC to 1300 BC): Important towns: Harappa , Mohenjodaro ,Dholavira:
The perfectness of the town planning system of the Indus Valley civilization is impressive. The systematic construction of residential houses and public buildings, laying down of principal streets, etc. are comparable with the modern day city planning. the city was divided into two main parts. The higher and upper portion of the city was protected by a construction which looks like a fort. The ruling class of the towns perhaps lived in the protected area. The other part of the towns was lower in height than the former and common men lived in this area. The lower area of the towns generally spread over one square mile. The main streets of Indus Valley ran from north to south and east to west intersecting one another at right angles. The streets were broad varying from 9 feet to 34 feet. They ran straight to a mile. They were suitable for wheeled traffic. Lanes were joined with the streets. Each lane had a public welt. Street lamps were provided for welfare of public.
The elaborate drainage system was a remarkable feature of the civilization. Each house had horizontal and vertical drains. Most of the houses had baths, wells and covered drains connected with street drains. There were underground drains for the streets. These drains were covered by stone slabs. The soak pits were made of bricks. The house drains were connected with road drains. Most of the houses were built of burnt bricks. Houses opened to inner courtyards and smaller lanes. Cities had impressive dockyards ,granaries, warehouses, brick platforms and protective walls.Massive citadels protected the city from floods and attackers. City dwellers were mainly traders and artisans
History of town planning in India may be divided into 6 important periods –
the Indus Valley Period; the Vedic period; The Pre-medieval period ( The Mauryas till advent of Mughals) ; The Mughal Rule Period; The British Colonial Period;Post- Independence Period
1. Indus Valley Town Planning (3300 BC to 1300 BC): Important towns: Harappa , Mohenjodaro ,Dholavira:
The perfectness of the town planning system of the Indus Valley civilization is impressive. The systematic construction of residential houses and public buildings, laying down of principal streets, etc. are comparable with the modern day city planning. the city was divided into two main parts. The higher and upper portion of the city was protected by a construction which looks like a fort. The ruling class of the towns perhaps lived in the protected area. The other part of the towns was lower in height than the former and common men lived in this area. The lower area of the towns generally spread over one square mile. The main streets of Indus Valley ran from north to south and east to west intersecting one another at right angles. The streets were broad varying from 9 feet to 34 feet. They ran straight to a mile. They were suitable for wheeled traffic. Lanes were joined with the streets. Each lane had a public welt. Street lamps were provided for welfare of public.
The elaborate drainage system was a remarkable feature of the civilization. Each house had horizontal and vertical drains. Most of the houses had baths, wells and covered drains connected with street drains. There were underground drains for the streets. These drains were covered by stone slabs. The soak pits were made of bricks. The house drains were connected with road drains. Most of the houses were built of burnt bricks. Houses opened to inner courtyards and smaller lanes. Cities had impressive dockyards ,granaries, warehouses, brick platforms and protective walls.Massive citadels protected the city from floods and attackers. City dwellers were mainly traders and artisans
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Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) displayed remarkable planning in its urban towns, especially in the area of sanitation and drainage. One of the major challenges of urban planning, in India, has been dealing with the haphazard construction of buildings. In the IVC, the streets were built on grid-like patterns, which allowed for methodical and planned growth. In modern times, Le Corbusier’s plans for Chandigarh provided for a rectangular shape with grid iron pattern, which enabled fast movement of traffic and reduced the area.
In the IVC, the town was also demarcated clearly between residential areas and common/public areas. The granaries of IVC are also an example of intelligent design, with their strategically placed air ducts and the platforms being divided into units. The houses in the IVC were constructed in such a manner that it didn’t disturb the layout of the roads in any way. The houses had doors that opened out into the lanes instead of the roads. The warehouse in Lothal is an exemplary instance of designing with precision.
The drains in the IVC connected each and every house, and enabled them to dump their waste directly. These drains were covered, and they directly connected to the larger sewerage outlets. There were inspection holes on the drains for maintenance purposes and there were manholes on the streets. Thus, urban planning of the IVC has extensively helped us learn from it.
In the IVC, the town was also demarcated clearly between residential areas and common/public areas. The granaries of IVC are also an example of intelligent design, with their strategically placed air ducts and the platforms being divided into units. The houses in the IVC were constructed in such a manner that it didn’t disturb the layout of the roads in any way. The houses had doors that opened out into the lanes instead of the roads. The warehouse in Lothal is an exemplary instance of designing with precision.
The drains in the IVC connected each and every house, and enabled them to dump their waste directly. These drains were covered, and they directly connected to the larger sewerage outlets. There were inspection holes on the drains for maintenance purposes and there were manholes on the streets. Thus, urban planning of the IVC has extensively helped us learn from it.
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