Indus Valley Civilization:

Que. Discuss the water management and its conservation planning in the Harappan (Indus-Saraswati) cities. [UPSC CSE-2013]

Approach:

(1) Explain briefly the water management system in the Harappan cities.

(2) Mention some key features of water management and conservation planning in the Harappan cities.

(3) Conclude by stating its impact on today’s societies.

Introduction:

The Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished along the banks of the river Indus and other parts of western and northern India about 5,000 years ago, had one of the most sophisticated urban water supply and sewage systems in the world. The fact that the people were well acquainted with hygiene can be seen from the covered drains running beneath the streets of the ruins at both Mohen- Jo-Daro and Harappa.

The Harappan civilization, located in the Indus and Saraswati river valleys, demonstrated advanced water management and conservation planning that contributed to the sustainability and growth of their urban centers. The management of water resources was crucial for supporting agriculture, sanitation, and various other aspects of urban life.

Features of Water Management and Conservation Planning in the Harappan Cities:

(1) Efficient Drainage System: An efficient and well-planned drainage system is a notable feature of Harappan settlements. The main drains were covered by corbelled arches made of brick or stone slabs. The drains for collecting rainwater were separate from the sewage chutes and pipes.

(2) Features of Dholavira: Another very good example is the well-planned city of Dholavira, on Khadir Bet, a low plateau in the Rann in Gujarat. The kind of efficient system of Harappans of Dholavira, developed for conservation, harvesting and storage of water speaks eloquently about their advanced hydraulic engineering, given the state of technology, (Subramanian, 2010).

One of the unique features of Dholavira is the sophisticated water conservation system of channels and reservoirs, the earliest found anywhere in the world and completely built out of stone, of which three are exposed. Dholavira had massive reservoirs.

(3) Reservoirs and Tanks: They made elaborate arrangements for water for drinking and bathing. The sources of water were rivers, wells, and reservoirs or cisterns. 

The Great bath at Mohenjodaro is a unique example. The floor and walls of the tank were made watertight by finely fitted bricks laid edge to edge with gypsum mortar. A thick layer of bitumen was laid along the sides of the tank making this one of the earliest examples of waterproofing in the world.

(4) Advanced Well Systems: Wells were a vital part of water management. Wells were constructed using a combination of bricks and stone rings, which prevented contamination of the water source. The presence of wells ensured a localized and reliable water supply for domestic use and possibly irrigation. In the city of Mohenjodaro, there may have been more than 700 wells. Most houses or house blocks had at least one private well. Many neighbourhoods had public wells along the main street.

In Allahdino (Near Karachi), the wells had very small diameter to enable the groundwater to rise higher due to hydraulic pressure. It may have been used to irrigate the nearby fields.

(5) Dockyard: The Dockyard of Lothal is the most distinctive feature of the site. It is roughly a trapezoidal basin, enclosed by walls of burnt bricks. The dockyard had provisions for maintaining a regular level of water by means of a sluice gate and a spill channel.

(6) Dams: The city of Dholavira had an impressive and unique water harvesting and management system. Dams were built across two streams- Manhar and Mandsar to channelize their water into reservoirs. Several large, deep water cisterns and reservoirs have been found which preserved precious stores of rain water.

(7) Intensive Irrigation Systems: The civilization’s reliance on agriculture necessitated efficient irrigation methods. Archaeological evidence suggests the presence of intricate irrigation networks, including canals and diversion channels, which were used to direct water from rivers to agricultural fields.

(8) Flood Control: The presence of embankments and protective walls along some riverbanks suggests efforts to control flooding and protect urban areas from inundation during monsoon seasons.

Conclusion:

The success of the Harappan water management and conservation systems is evident in their ability to support dense urban populations over a long period. However, it’s worth noting that the civilization’s reliance on stable water sources made it vulnerable to changes in river patterns and climate, which could have contributed to its decline. Despite this vulnerability, the Harappans’ sophisticated water management techniques offer valuable lessons in sustainable urban planning and resource management for modern societies.