1. Explain the ancient drainage system of the Harappans.

Question

Read the following excerpt carefully and answer the questions that follow.

 The most ancient system yet discovered. 

About the drains, Mackay noted: “It is certainly the most complete ancient system as yet discovered.” Every house was connected to the street drains. The main channels were made of bricks set in mortar and were covered with loose bricks that could be removed for cleaning. In some cases, limestone was used for the covers. House drains first emptied into a sump or cesspit into which solid matter settled while waste water flowed out into the street drains. Very long drainage channels were provided at intervals with sumps for cleaning. It is a wonder of archaeology that “little heaps of material, mostly sand, have frequently been found lying alongside drainage channels, which shows that the debris was not always carted away when the drain was cleared”. 

1. Explain the ancient drainage system of the Harappans. 

2. Describe the domestic architecture of the houses of Mohenjodaro. 

3. What was the drawback in the sanitation system?

Answer 1

(i) (a) Every home was connected to street drains. The main channels were made of bricks set in mortar and were covered with bricks that could be removed for cleaning. 

(b) House drains first emptied into a sump or cesspit into which solid matter settled while waste water flowed into streets drains. 

(ii) (a) Every house had its own bathroom paved with bricks with drains connected through the wall to the street drains. 

(b) Many houses had wells, often in a room that could be reached from the outside. 

(iii) The drawback of sanitation is that the debris was not always removed when the drain was cleared.