PATTERNS OF TOWN PLANNING IN THE INDUS CIVILIZATION: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY

Abstract

The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1300 BCE), one of the Old World's earliest and most extensive urban cultures, is distinguished by its remarkable and standardized approach to town planning. This paper presents a detailed analytical study of the spatial organization, architectural principles, and infrastructural systems that characterize its major urban centers, such as Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Dholavira, and Lothal. Moving beyond mere description, the analysis focuses on decoding the underlying logic, socio-political implications, and functional efficiency of this unique Bronze Age urbanism. The study employs a comparative analysis of archaeological data, including site maps, excavation reports, and material remains. It argues that the Indus pattern was not monolithic but exhibited a sophisticated hierarchy and regional adaptations within a overarching framework of standardization. Key findings highlight the strict adherence to a gridiron street system, the strategic use of cardinal directions, the advanced water management and sanitation infrastructure—which included elaborate drainage systems, wells, and bathrooms—and the pronounced emphasis on citadel and lower town separation. The paper concludes that this planned urban order reflects a highly organized, possibly non-centralized, socio-political structure with a strong concern for public welfare, hygiene, and controlled urban form, setting it apart from its contemporaneous Mesopotamian and Egyptian counterparts.