🤯 Did You Know (click to read)
Many Indus settlements, including Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, were built on slightly raised platforms above natural floodplains.
Excavations in sites along the Ghaggar-Hakra and Indus river systems show settlement mounds elevated above surrounding floodplains. These sites, often called 'island settlements,' indicate intentional site selection to reduce flood risk. Residential and public structures were arranged on leveled platforms. Drainage channels further protected urban areas. The approach reflects understanding of hydrology and urban resilience. Standardized brick sizes facilitate construction on uneven terrain. Elevated positioning allowed surveillance and defense. Environmental adaptation complemented urban design. Settlement location was critical for survival. Planning integrated geography into city organization.
💥 Impact (click to read)
Island-like settlements demonstrate early risk management. Strategic site selection reduces vulnerability to natural hazards. Urban layouts combined defense and sanitation. Standardized construction facilitated replication across sites. Planning enhanced social cohesion and resource protection. Environmental intelligence underpinned civic stability. Infrastructure minimized environmental risk.
For residents, life atop mounds reduced damage from floods but required labor-intensive building. The irony lies in how natural hazards shaped design rather than monumental symbolism. Practical engineering dictated urban form. Survival influenced architecture as much as culture.
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