Harappa as an Urban Civilization

Why Harappa Was an Urban Civilization?

GS Paper I | Ancient Indian History | NCERT Class XII Based

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Conceptual Introduction

This section is for conceptual clarity only. UPSC-oriented notes follow.

Urban civilization refers to a complex form of human settlement marked by planned cities, advanced infrastructure, economic specialization, social organization, and centralized administration.

Harappa, one of the major centres of the Indus Valley Civilization, displays all essential characteristics of urbanism, making it one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world.

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1. Overview

Harappa was a major city of the Indus Valley Civilization, flourishing between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE. Archaeological evidence proves that it was not a simple village settlement but a fully developed urban centre.

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2. Planned City Layout

• Harappa followed a grid pattern of streets.
• Roads intersected each other at right angles.
• The city was divided into:
  • Citadel (Upper Town)
  • Lower Town

This systematic planning reflects advanced urban design and civic sense.

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3. Advanced Drainage System

• Covered drains ran along both sides of streets.
• House drains were connected to main street drains.
• Provision of inspection holes for regular cleaning.

Such an efficient drainage system is a hallmark of urban civilization.

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4. Standardized Construction

• Use of burnt bricks of uniform size across the city.
• Houses included:
  • Bathrooms
  • Wells
  • Courtyards

Standardization indicates centralized planning and administrative control.

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5. Large Public Buildings

• Granaries for storage of surplus food.
• Assembly halls and workspaces.
• Structures meant for public and administrative purposes.

Presence of public buildings suggests organized governance and urban economy.

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6. Economic Specialization

• Occupational diversity:
  • Farmers
  • Potters
  • Bead-makers
  • Metal workers
  • Traders
• Evidence of internal and external trade.

Economic specialization is a defining feature of urban settlements.

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7. Efficient Administration

• Uniform weights and measures.
• Similar town planning across Harappan cities.
• Absence of palaces suggests collective governance.

These features point towards a strong and organized administrative system.

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8. Population Density

• Dense housing clusters.
• Large population supported by surplus agriculture.

Such population concentration is possible only in an urban environment.

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9. Conclusion (UPSC Ready)

Harappa was an urban civilization because it had planned streets, advanced drainage, standardized construction, public buildings, economic specialization, centralized administration, and a large population — all essential features of urban life.

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10. UPSC Previous Year Question (Concept Based)

Q. Which of the following features best indicate the urban nature of the Harappan Civilization?
(a) Use of copper tools
(b) Advanced drainage system
(c) Rock-cut architecture
(d) Pastoral economy

Answer: (b) Advanced drainage system

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Sources

NCERT Class XII – Themes in Indian History (Part I), Archaeological Survey of India