🤯 Did You Know (click to read)
At Mohenjo-daro, the citadel mound stands significantly higher than surrounding residential areas, indicating deliberate engineering.
Major Harappan urban centers were divided into elevated citadel areas and lower residential towns. The citadels were constructed on artificial platforms built from mud bricks and debris layers. These raised sections housed public structures such as the Great Bath and storage facilities. Elevation protected critical buildings from Indus River flooding. Construction required extensive labor coordination and earth-moving capacity. Platform height varied across sites but often rose several meters above surrounding terrain. Urban planning incorporated environmental risk assessment. Defensive and administrative functions converged in elevation. Height conferred security.
💥 Impact (click to read)
Systemically, platform construction indicates long-term planning against natural hazards. Flood mitigation protected administrative continuity. Elevated precincts symbolized authority above daily life. Labor mobilization for such projects reflects centralized coordination. Infrastructure investment reduced disaster vulnerability. Environmental adaptation shaped urban hierarchy. Elevation embodied foresight.
For residents, the citadel visually dominated the cityscape. Access to elevated zones may have been regulated. Seasonal floods reinforced the value of raised structures. Children observed water levels rising below fortified platforms. The distinction between upper and lower town shaped spatial identity. Safety was architectural. Survival was stratified.
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