Question 64 from UPSC CSE 2021 - Ancient History

Question

Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Dholavira

Strategy: Identify the town historically linked with advanced water management. Dholavira stands out for its sophisticated system of reservoirs and channel-linked dams unique to the Harappan Civilization. The others—Kalibangan, Rakhigarhi, and Ropar—are prominent Harappan sites but lack evidence of this level of water harvesting engineering.

Key Info: **Dholavira**
Dholavira is an archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization situated in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, India. Excavations reveal its unique and extensive water conservation system, comprising dams, embankments, and interconnected reservoirs. The city was ingeniously planned to store and distribute rainwater and river water from the nearby Manhar and Mansar streams, crucial for survival in an arid region having less than 160 cm of annual rainfall. The water system included over a dozen reservoirs of varying sizes, step-wells, and channels, making it among the most technologically advanced ancient sites for hydraulic engineering in South Asia.

**Comparison with Other Harappan Sites**
Other prominent Harappan sites do not exhibit the same level of sophisticated water management:
- **Kalibangan:** Located in Rajasthan on the banks of the Ghaggar river, this site is noted for its fire altars and ploughed fields but lacks evidence of elaborate water harvesting structures.
- **Rakhigarhi:** In Haryana, this is among the largest Harappan urban centers but does not exhibit advanced water management on par with Dholavira.
- **Ropar:** In Punjab, this site is significant for multi-period occupation from Harappan to later times but is not associated with major water management systems.

**Summary**
In summary, Dholavira is internationally recognized for its innovative water engineering, which allowed sustainable urban settlement in a drought-prone, semi-arid landscape, distinguishing it from other contemporary Indus sites.

Answer

Option B: Kalibangan

Answer

Option C: Rakhigarhi

Answer

Option D: Ropar