An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s9.57

v1.c9.s9.57

What exactly was the nature of these settlements? These were not mere villages, but large enough to stake their claims to be called small 'towns', in the overall demographical context of the times. Many of these, where sizeable areas have been excavated have shown evidence of planning, of orientation of houses and streets (e.g. KALIBANGAN, where the excavated pre-Harappa street runs due e.-w.). Then there was the standardization bricks, which in the case of Kot Diji even answers to the typical Harappa proportions, viz. 4:2:1. Many of these settlements had fortifications around them, e.g. Kot Diji and KALIBANGAN. Thus, by way of town-planning quite a lot had already been achieved and this could have very well formed a base for the Harappa cities, which, however, show the additional feature of 'twin mounds'. But what is more important is that town-planning does reflect organized community life and even suggests some kind of civic administration—a sure step towards urban life.