09 April 2025 : Daily Answer Writing

Q1) Highlighting the elements of urbanization discuss how agriculture played a pivotal role in the enduring success and longevity of the Harappan Civilization. (10 marks, 150 words)

ANSWER

The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) or Harappan Civilization, was one of the world’s earliest urban civilizations, flourished around 2500 BCE in the north western regions of the Indian Subcontinent. Known for its advanced urban planning, architecture, and social organization, the civilization’s success and longevity can be attributed significantly to its robust agricultural practices. Agriculture played a pivotal role in sustaining the large urban centers, supporting a growing population, and enabling economic stability.

ELEMENTS OF URBANIZATION IN THE INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION

The Harappan Civilization displayed unique and indigenous architectural styles that focused more on practicality than aesthetics. Instead of grand palaces or monuments, their architectural efforts were centered on large-scale public buildings and spacious residential houses.

1. Rectangular Grid Pattern: IVC cities were laid out in a grid pattern with streets running north-south and east-west, creating a well-organized layout. The streets and lanes intersected at right angles, dividing the city into rectangular blocks. House doors opened onto these lanes rather than the main streets, indicating a sophisticated understanding of measurement and planning.
2. Planned Streets: The streets and alleys were meticulously planned and constructed, wide enough to accommodate carts and pedestrians. Some streets had covered drains alongside them. The main street, ten meters wide, divided the town into rectangular and square blocks.
3. Division of Cities: The cities were divided into two parts: an elevated citadel and a lower town.
4. Citadel: Located in the western part, the citadel housed important structures like granaries, administrative buildings, pillared halls, and courtyards. It was built on a tall mud-brick podium and contained essential residential buildings.
5. Lower Town: The lower part of the city, below the citadel, consisted of brick houses inhabited by the common people.
6. Sophisticated Drainage Systems: The Harappan civilization had an elaborate drainage system, with every house connected to street drains made of mortar, lime, and gypsum. These drains were covered with manhole bricks or stone slabs for easy cleaning.
7. Granaries and Storage Facilities: The cities had well-planned granaries to store surplus agricultural produce, featuring thick walls to protect the stored food from pests. These were often located near the citadel or city center.
8. Water Management: The Harappans were skilled in water management, with wells, reservoirs, and water tanks strategically placed to ensure a consistent water supply. Notable examples include the reservoir at Dholavira and the wells at Mohenjo-Daro.

ROLE OF AGRICULTURE IN SUSTAINING IVC URBAN CENTERS:

1. Economic Growth: Agriculture provided the economic foundation for civilization. Surplus produce could be stored for future use or traded, contributing to economic stability and growth. For example, the granaries at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro stored surplus grains, ensuring food security and supporting trade activities with countries like Egypt and Mesopotamia. 
2. Urban Planning: The prosperity from agriculture influenced urban planning, leading to well-organized cities with distinct residential, commercial, and administrative zones.
3. Integration of Agriculture and Urban Economy: The presence of marketplaces and trade hubs within cities indicates the integration of agricultural surplus into the urban economy. Lothal had a prominent dockyard and marketplace, suggesting active trade of agricultural products and other goods.
4. Trade Centres: Agricultural surplus facilitated trade both within the IVC and with neighbouring regions. The discovery of Harappan seals in Mesopotamia indicates trade links, likely involving agricultural produce and other goods.
5. Hierarchical Social Structure: The efficiency of agricultural production likely supported a hierarchical social structure, with a clear division of labor and social roles. This organization facilitated the administration of urban centers and the coordination of large-scale projects.
6. Irrigation Systems: The IVC had advanced irrigation techniques, including the use of canals and reservoirs, to manage water resources effectively. This allowed them to cultivate crops even in semi-arid regions, ensuring a stable food supply.

The enduring success and longevity of the Indus Valley Civilization were underpinned by its advanced agricultural practices. The ability to produce a surplus of food allowed the civilization to sustain large urban centers, support economic stability, and foster a complex social structure. The integration of agriculture with urban planning, trade, and cultural practices created a resilient and prosperous society.

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