History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c30.s3.6

v1.c30.s3.6

Harappa was the first place where large-scale fortifications were noticed. The citadel at this place is a rough parallelogram measuring 450m x 210m. It is between nine to twelve meters higher than the surrounding plains. The defences rest on pre-Harappans deposits which show signs of heavy flooding. These inroads of water were first filled up with mud-bricks and the whole was then raised to a higher level with baked bricks. This served as an anti-flood bund, spreading protectively beyond the outer foot of a great defensive wall 14m wide at the base and tapering Fig. 1. Plans of Mohenjodaro and Harappa, showing township and citadel. (Wheeler, R.E.M., 1953, "Cambridge History of India, Supplementary Volume - the Indus Civilization, p.19)