Water Management
Class 6 Social Science · Chapter 6: The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation · NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond section 6.4
Learn
Managing water was one of the Harappans' greatest skills. Mohenjo-daro had hundreds of wells, many of them inside houses, so families had water close at hand.
At Mohenjo-daro there is also the famous Great Bath: a large tank of tightly-fitted bricks, made watertight with a layer of natural tar, with steps leading down on two sides. It may have been used for special or ritual bathing.
Dholavira, in dry Kachchh (Gujarat), had little rain. Its people built huge reservoirs cut into rock and channels to collect rainwater and water from two seasonal streams. They saved every drop they could.
Lothal, near the Gujarat coast, had a large brick basin that many archaeologists think was a dockyard where boats came in from the sea. These ideas, like harvesting rainwater and keeping drains clean, still matter in our towns today.
Explore: which city?
- Sort each card.
Remember
- Mohenjo-daro had hundreds of wells and the Great Bath.
- Dholavira built rock-cut reservoirs; Lothal had a large basin, perhaps a dockyard.
Quick check
Why did Dholavira build big reservoirs?
- It was in a dry region with little rain
- To swim for fun only
- It was on a snowy mountain
- To keep fish for export
Answer
It was in a dry region with little rain. Saving rainwater was vital in dry Kachchh.
Think about it
What could your town or school learn from Harappan water management?
One answer
Collect rainwater from roofs into tanks, keep drains covered and clean, and don't waste water. Many Indian towns now use rainwater harvesting.
Practice
Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.