Direction: Read the following passage and answer the questions given after it. India was one of the first places where human civilization started, around 5000 years BC this civilization was located around the Indus River. Hence it is known as Indus Valley civilization It is also known as the Harappan Civilization because records show one of the city's names was Harappa. It was 1 of 1500 cities in the Indus River Valley another well-known city being Mohenjo-Daro, It wasn't until 1920 that the civilization was discovered at all. There were four known major cities, Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Mehrgarh, and Lothal. Mohenjo-Daro was not only the largest city of the Indus Valley Civilization but also one of the world's earliest major urban centers. Much of the cities were made from clay bricks baked in a furnace known as a kiln. The cities were advanced for their time, having their own wells and water drainage systems as well as having grid-style roads in the cities. They were also noted for clusters of large, nonresidential buildings. But most people did not live in the urban areas and instead lived in the local farming villages. Though little is known about the Indus Valley people, we do know a little about their farming habits. They had domesticated peas, wheat, melons, dates, sesame seeds, as well as cotton. They had advanced knowledge of the process of drying wheat, and a large granary was discovered, a building whose sole purpose is to hold and dry large amounts of wheat. They also created some large structures, one of the largest being a public pool known as the Great Bath that was 40 feet long, 10 feet deep, and 20 feet wide.
Which of the following statements shows that the cities of Indus Valley were well planned?
The cities had grid-style roads and water drainage system.
Understanding Indus Valley Civilization Planning
The question asks us to identify which statement from the options best shows that the cities of the Indus Valley Civilization were well planned. Urban planning refers to the design and organization of cities, including street layouts, infrastructure, and the placement of buildings.
Let's examine each option based on the information provided in the passage about the Indus Valley Civilization cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
- Option 1: The structures were made of baked bricks.
The passage mentions that "Much of the cities were made from clay bricks baked in a furnace known as a kiln." Using baked bricks is a feature of construction material and technique. While durable materials contribute to the quality and longevity of buildings, using baked bricks itself doesn't directly prove the overall city was *planned* in terms of layout or systems. It speaks more to their engineering capability regarding materials.
- Option 2: The cities had grid-style roads and water drainage system.
The passage states, "The cities were advanced for their time, having their own wells and water drainage systems as well as having grid-style roads in the cities." A 'grid-style' road layout means streets are laid out in a pattern of perpendicular lines, forming rectangular blocks. This requires careful layout and measurement before construction. A 'water drainage system' implies planned infrastructure to manage waste water, which is a sign of sophisticated urban organization and sanitation planning. Both grid roads and drainage systems are strong indicators of deliberate and advanced urban planning in the Indus Valley cities.
- Option 3: There were clusters of large nonresidential buildings.
The passage notes, "They were also noted for clusters of large, nonresidential buildings." The presence and clustering of specific types of buildings (like public buildings, workshops, etc.) might indicate functional zoning, which is a part of planning. However, compared to the systematic layout of roads and infrastructure like drainage, the existence of building clusters is a less direct or comprehensive indicator of overall city planning.
- Option 4: There were wells for water in the cities.
The passage mentions the cities had "their own wells". Having wells provides a water source, which is essential for a city. However, simply having wells is a basic necessity and doesn't inherently demonstrate advanced *planning* of the urban layout or systems in the same way that a planned drainage system or a grid network of roads does. Many settlements, planned or unplanned, would have water sources like wells.
Based on the analysis of the passage and the options, the presence of grid-style roads and a water drainage system are the clearest pieces of evidence provided that indicate the Indus Valley cities were well planned. These features show a systematic approach to laying out the city and managing its infrastructure, which are key aspects of urban planning.
Therefore, the statement that best shows the cities of Indus Valley were well planned is that they had grid-style roads and a water drainage system.
| Feature Mentioned | Indication of Planning? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Baked bricks | Indirect | Indicates construction technique and material quality, not necessarily layout planning. |
| Grid-style roads & drainage system | Strong Indicator | Systematic layout of streets and infrastructure for sanitation clearly shows deliberate urban planning. |
| Clusters of nonresidential buildings | Possible/Partial | Could indicate zoning (part of planning), but less direct evidence of overall city layout than roads/drainage. |
| Wells for water | Weak | Basic necessity; having wells doesn't inherently prove advanced urban planning structure or layout. |
Revision Table: Key Aspects of Indus Valley Planning
| Aspect | Description from Passage | Significance for Planning |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Layout | Grid-style roads | Shows systematic, pre-meditated layout. |
| Infrastructure | Water drainage systems | Indicates planned sanitation and public health focus. |
| Infrastructure | Wells for water | Essential utility, though less indicative of *layout* planning than others. |
| Buildings | Made from baked bricks | Standardized construction material, suggests organization. |
| Buildings | Clusters of large, nonresidential buildings | Potentially indicates functional areas or public spaces. |
| Public Works | Large granary discovered | Example of a planned structure for a specific purpose (storage/drying). |
| Public Works | Great Bath (public pool) | Example of a large, planned public facility. |
Additional Information on Indus Valley Urban Features
The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, flourished around the Indus River. Its cities, such as Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, are renowned for their advanced urban planning for their time (around 2500 BCE).
- Grid Pattern: The cities were typically laid out in a grid pattern with streets running north-south and east-west, intersecting at right angles. This systematic layout is a hallmark of planned cities.
- Drainage Systems: An impressive feature was the sophisticated drainage system. Houses often had private baths and toilets connected to an elaborate network of drains under the streets. These drains were covered and connected to larger sewers, indicating a strong emphasis on sanitation and public health planning.
- Baked Bricks: The widespread use of standardized baked bricks for construction provided durability and uniformity to the buildings and city structures. This suggests a level of standardization and control in building practices.
- Citadel and Lower Town: Many cities were divided into distinct parts, typically a raised citadel (possibly for administration or public functions) and a lower town where most people lived. This division might suggest social or functional zoning within the city plan.
- Water Supply: Besides the drainage, cities had systems for water supply, including numerous wells within the urban area, ensuring access to water for the residents.
- Public Structures: Large public buildings like the Great Bath and granaries point towards planned community facilities and economic management (like grain storage).
These features collectively highlight the remarkable level of planning and organization achieved by the Indus Valley Civilization, making it one of the earliest examples of sophisticated urbanism in the world.
Similar Questions
Match the people with the dishes they liked.
People Dishes they liked
a. Rahul’s wife 1. Soup
b. Rahul’s mother 2. Peas and paneer
c. Rahul's friends 3. Salad
Which ingredients did Rahul put in the soup that he prepared?
a. Tomatoes
b. Onions
c. Carrots
What did Rahul get from the supermarket?
How did Rahul get the cookbook?
How did Rahul manage to get the cream for the soup?
Which discovery indicated that people of Indus valley stored large amount of grain?
Which of the following crops were NOT grown by people of Indus Valley?
- Which organisation was set up to tackle the problem of malnutrition?
The passage focusses on the problem of
Which of the following statements can be inferred from the passage?
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
What best describes bulimia?
When an activity requires too much effort we feel:
What kind of attitude does the writer advocate for a life of fulfilment?
Why did the young lady approach the piano teacher for music lessons?
What does 'bread making' attitude consist of?
