History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c29.s1.t2: Sanitary and drainage system
History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c29.s1.t2
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Sanitary and drainage system
v1.c29.s1.t2.1
It can be safely inferred that the Indus civilisation had some central authority which asserted for the development and maintenance of the roads. Care was often given to paving of streets, and drainage. Regard for traffic and hygiene were advanced.
v1.c29.s1.t2.2
The Indus Civilization had exemplary right angled plans. It is clear that the authorities exercised their control to prevent the rise of tortuous alley characteristic of later cities.
v1.c29.s1.t2.3
The houses had a pronounced batter or slope and never encroached on the streets as is found at present. All houses had latrines and bath rooms disposing their waste into street drains. Houses had rubbish chutes, at the foot of which were some bins at street level. The rubbish bins stood at convenient places in the streets. The waste water entered the drains from tightly closed brick lined pits which had outlets to the drains about three quarters of the way up. These may be taken as forerunners of our septic tanks and grit chambers.
v1.c29.s1.t2.4
Each street or lane had one or two drainage channels about 18"-24", below street level and an area of 9"-12" or 18"-24" of the drainage channel was either covered with stone slabs or was roofed.
v1.c29.s1.t2.5
The streets usually ran from east to west or from south to north. Some important streets were 15 to 33 feet wide. Average roads were 9ft to 12ft wide. Most were unpaved, though some having burnt bricks pavements were found with joints grouted with gypsum mortar or bitumen.