Question

How bricks were laid in houses of Harappan cities?

Answer 1

Hint: The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as Harappan Civilization, 3300-1300 BCE, extended from modern-day northeast Afghanistan to Pakistan and northwest India. The most unique feature of this Civilization was the construction of well developed urban centres. The bricks used in construction were either sun-dried or baked, and their dimensions were off a standardized ratio.

Complete answer:
The most unique feature of the Indus Valley Civilization was the development of urban centres. Let us closely take a look at one such centre, Mohenjodaro. It was situated in the west of the Indus River in the Larkana District, and was one of the most sophisticated cities of the period, with advanced engineering and urban planning.

The settlement is divided into 2 sections, Citadel and the Lower Town. The former being smaller and higher, while the latter is much larger but lower. The height of the Citadel is due to the fact that the construction of buildings was done on mud-brick platforms. It was walled, and hence physically separated from the Lower Town, which was also walled.

The bricks used in construction were either sun-dried or baked, and their dimensions were off a standardized ratio. Brick’s length was 4 times its height, while its breadth was 2 times its height. Such bricks were used at all the settlements of the Harappan Civilization. Bricks were made in such a way that they have lasted for thousands of years. They were laid in an “interlocking pattern”, intersecting at right angles, which made the walls strong. About a hundred and fifty years ago, the majority of the bricks were taken away by engineers.

Thus, the bricks were laid in an interlocking pattern in Harappan houses.

Note: Most of the cities in the Harappan Civilization possessed covered drains. The drains were laid carefully in straight lines. Each drain possessed a gentle slope because of which water could flow easily through it. Drains in houses were joined with those on the streets and smaller drains led to bigger ones.