An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s18.47

v1.c9.s18.47

The structural activity was mainly in baked brick and brickbats. but at RANG MAHAL mud brick was largely employed in the construction of houses, which had in some cases burnt-brick pavements and drains. The most remarkable evidence of the stage is represented by the planned settlement at NAGAR² with straight streets oriented due n.-s. and containing blocks of houses on either side. The street fronts were marked with projecting benches and ramps connected with the level of streets which was also characterized by hardened patches of earth. The dwellings contained groups of rooms sometimes with courtyards, large halls, verandas. etc. Evidence of rows of shops on sides of streets signified the urban character of ancient NAGAR.² Houses with side-rooms and courtyards formed a feature of the contemporary levels at SAMBHAR. Besides, partly extant remains of a series of parallel walls, fragments of drains and pavements found at RAIRH indicate a materially rich habitation. Traces of furnaces containing ash, burnt clay and a large quantity of iron refuse at a few sites suggest specialization in iron smelting.