Drainage System at Lothal / Image Credit
One of the most striking features of Harappan civilization, also known as Indus valley civilization, is its elaborate drainage system which was a product of careful thought and planning. Furnished with sophisticated sewage system, the main streets of the cities of the Indus valley civilization had sewers below them. The bathrooms of the houses flowed into sewers leading to the soak pits. The drains were covered with large slabs of bricks and stones. However, one defect of the drains during the period was that they were located near the wells.
This unique drainage system of the Indus people indicates the existence of a highly organized municipal organization without which it would not have been possible to maintain such an efficient system of drains.
It can be safely said that no other ancient civilization can come close to the Harappan culture when it comes to drainage system.
The efficient sewage system characteristic feature of the Indus Valley Civilisation site of Lothal in Gujarat underscores the importance of cleanliness accorded by the Harappan people.
