The interesting remains of the cities of Indus Valley indicate that it was an urban civilization. In other words this civilization flourished around cities. The ruins show remarkable town planning and excellent drainage system. Let us now explore a few amazing features of these outstanding cities.
The dwelling houses were many in number and varied in size. These were made of well burnt bricks. Almost every house had a well, a kitchen, bathroom and drain. The private drains were connected with the drains of the street. The streets of the cities were straight and the breadth of the streets varied from 9 to 34 feet. These were connected by lanes and by lanes. Provision for street lights was also an important feature of the Indus city life. All such amenities of the Harappan cities definitely remind us of any present day town with modern town planning.
The biggest architectural structure found among the ruins was the great bath of Mohenjodaro. It was actually a public bath with 180 feet length and 108 feet in breadth. The main bathing pool was 39 feet by 23 feet with 8 feet depth. Galleries and rooms surrounded the bathing pool in all sides. You will be amazed to hear that like a modern swimming pool there was provision to fill and empty the water of the bathing pool. Provision for hot water bath was also there.
In addition to the great bath, a series of long public buildings have also been discovered. These buildings were probably used as public granaries. The biggest among them was the great granary found at Harappa. It was 169 feet by 135 feet in length and breadth and had small compartments inside.
After the discussion on flourishing Indus cities, let us now have some idea on the people who lived in these remarkably well planned cities. The excavations of Indus Valley show that there were probably four classes of people in the society i.e. the learned class the warriors, the traders and artisans, and the working class. The learned class included the priests, the astrologers, the physicians etc. The ruins of ancient forts and palaces indicate the existence of a ruling or warrior class whose primary duty was to protect the land and people. The merchants and various artisans such as goldsmith, weaver, carpenter, mason etc. formed the third section of society. The lowest class was constituted by the manual laboureres, daily wage earners, domestic servants etc.
The people of Indus Valley took both vegetarian and non- vegetarian food. Their diet list included wheat, barley, rice, milk, mutton, pork, beef etc. besides a good number of fruits.
Cotton as well as woollen clothes were used by the people. The discovery of spindles point to the existence of weavers. Both men and women wore ornaments. These ornaments were made of different materials like gold, silver, bronze ivory etc. People knew the art of toiletry and cosmetics. Toilet boxes made of ivory, metal, pottery and stone have been found among the ruins of the Indus Civilization. The Harappan Gallery of the National Museum, New Delhi has a large collection of ornaments and various cosmetic items of the period.
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