Question

This picture on the right-hand side shows a well-planned ancient city located on the banks of a river.

1. Identify the civilization from the ruins in the picture.
2. When and by whom were these ruins discovered?
3. These ruins are an important source of information about the
   (a) town planning and
   (b) drainage system of this period. Explain.

Answer 1

1. This picture is about Harappa Civilization.
2. These ruins were discovered by Dayaram Sahni in 1921.
3. (a) Town planning: The Indus Valley cities were very well- planned. The streets were quite broad varying from feet to 30 feet in breadth. The streets and roads were straight and they cut one another at right angles. The streets had rounded comers to enable the heavy carts to take a turn easily. Every street had a lighting system. Such a system of town-planning was not to be found at that time anywhere in the world.
   (b) Drainage system: The people of the Indus valley had an excellent, well-planned drainage system. The kitchens and the bathrooms had drains connected to the street drains. The street drains ran along the side of the streets and were usually covered. They had manholes at regular intervals. The drainage system proves that the Indus Valley people paid great attention to sanitation and cleanliness.