🤯 Did You Know (click to read)
Some Harappan houses had private bathing areas connected directly to covered drains.
Excavations at Mohenjo-daro and Harappa reveal extensive drainage networks integrated into street grids. Brick-lined drains ran parallel to major roads and connected to household bathing platforms. Many drains were covered with removable slabs for maintenance. The system dates primarily to the Mature Harappan period. Standardized brick construction ensured durability and water resistance. Wastewater was directed away from living spaces to prevent stagnation. The infrastructure indicates awareness of sanitation principles. Urban planning included environmental management. Cleanliness was institutionalized.
💥 Impact (click to read)
Systemically, drainage networks reflect civic investment in public health and urban order. Coordinated construction required shared planning standards. Maintenance access suggests long-term oversight rather than one-time construction. Reduced waste accumulation likely minimized disease risk. Sanitation infrastructure differentiated Harappan cities from many contemporaries. Urban resilience depended on invisible systems. Engineering sustained density.
For residents, household drains reduced odors and contamination near homes. Daily bathing routines linked private space to public infrastructure. Children grew accustomed to orderly streets free of open waste channels. Craftspeople relied on functional sanitation to operate workshops. The absence of visible sewage reflected disciplined maintenance. Clean streets conveyed civic pride. Order flowed underground.
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