Harappan cities had remarkable drainage systems- Delhi can learn a thing or two

The Harappan cities were renowned for their advanced drainage systems, which stand in stark contrast to the challenges faced by modern Indian cities today. The city of Dholavira, part of the Harappan civilization, exemplified a sophisticated understanding of local hydrology and monsoon patterns, enabling its inhabitants to thrive even amid heavy rainfall.

In contemporary India, the onset of the monsoon season, typically welcomed as a respite from the oppressive heat, often turns into a chaotic experience for urban dwellers. The initial joy of the rains, which calls for traditional snacks like pakoras and chai, quickly transforms into a struggle against clogged drains, waterlogged streets, and flash floods. The southwestern monsoon, which has historically shaped cultures and civilizations, now highlights the failures of urban planning. The negligence of authorities in maintaining drainage systems and the reckless expansion of urban areas into natural habitats exacerbate the flooding situation.

Despite significant investments in pre-monsoon preparations, cities remain vulnerable to the forces of nature. The relationship between urban infrastructure and the monsoon has become a defining characteristic of modern Indian life, often leading to frustration among residents. However, there are valuable lessons to be learned from the past. The Harappan civilization’s respect for natural processes and their innovative drainage solutions could inspire contemporary urban planners to create systems that harmonize with nature rather than resist it. By revisiting these ancient practices, cities can better manage the challenges posed by the monsoon and foster a healthier relationship with the environment.

Knowledge from ancient India 

The transition from a nomadic life based on hunting and foraging to a sedentary one, facilitated by the advent of agriculture during the eighth millennium BCE, led to the formation of tiny settlements along rivers or lakes. Water became a key enabler for this new way of life, with settlements sprouting near the closest source of water, such as Mehrgarh in Baluchistan, linked with the Indus River system; Lahuradewa in the Upper Gangetic Plain, bounded by the Sarayu River; and Bhirrana located on the banks of the dried Ghaggar River in Haryana. These early farming settlements along the Indus and Saraswati River systems paved the way for the emergence of India’s first urban cities through cultural and social evolution.

The urban centres of the Harappan Civilization, such as Rakhigarhi, Mohenjodaro, Harappa, Dholavira, and Lothal, are renowned for their advanced town planning, which includes an impeccable and sophisticated drainage system, wastewater management, and rainwater harvesting. As a ‘riverine culture,’ the Harappans devised an extensive network of reservoirs, wells, and canals to meet their irrigation needs. To tackle the danger of seasonal floods, Harappan cities were enclosed and fortified.

The drainage system was one of the most remarkable features of the Harappan cities. All streets and lanes across neighbourhoods in Mohejodaro, Dholavira, Harappa, and others had drains, with houses having provisions for managing waste-water through vertical pipes in the walls leading to chutes that opened onto the streets. Recent excavations at Rakhigarhi revealed a series of covered and open drains with soakage pits at every street corner, where the drains turned at right angles. Mohenjodaro provided remarkable evidence of water-management, sanitation, and drainage systems, with over 400 wells made of ‘wedged-shaped’ bricks and an extensive network of drains made of baked-bricks, closely fitted and sealed with mud-mortar.

Dholavira, located in Kachchh, Gujarat, is the best example of how the people of the Harappan civilization understood the need for water-management in an arid area where water is scarce. Large reservoirs were excavated around the city on two sides, connected with a network of large-drains and tanks located along the city walls. Series of wells were also well-connected with tanks, which managed and stored rainwater, as indicated by a storm water drain leading to the reservoir near the north wall. This water harvesting system would refill the reservoirs, helping the people of the city during dry periods.

The Harappans were aware of the hydrology of the area and monsoon patterns, using this knowledge to help a city thrive during rainfall, which otherwise would have been inhabitable. It was these strategic tactics implemented by the city dwellers that made Dholavira one of the five largest Harappan metropolises. The Harappans were a ‘riverine civilisation,’ with their settlements strategically located to protect the river terraces and floodplains, aware of the scale of flooding, especially in the Indus basin, and prepared for the inevitable.

Chaotic cities of today

In the present context, our cities are in a state of chaos, with riverbeds captured, floodplains used for constructing new buildings, and ecosystems rapidly destroyed. The ancient knowledge of city construction has been forgotten and relegated to history books, while insights on rainwater harvesting, drainage, and sanitation from archaeological findings are rarely acknowledged. It’s no wonder our cities are drowning in their own mismanagement.

New Delhi, as the nation’s capital, serves as a classic example of disastrous management by authorities. The area behind the Red Fort, once the bed of the Yamuna River, has now been converted into a road connecting much of the city to the ISBT, the inter-state bus terminal. The floodplain in this area has been captured, turning the river into little more than a glorified drain. Since it is naturally a low-lying area, being the old riverbed, it floods every year during the heavy monsoon season, forcing residents of the surrounding settlements to relocate.

The area adjacent to the Red Fort, known as Darya Ganj, is elevated. The old city of Shahjahanabad was built on higher ground, keeping in mind the nature of the Yamuna River. The road that periodically becomes submerged should never have been built there; it was constructed for our convenience, and now we have no right to complain. The tragic incident at Old Rajinder Nagar—where three UPSC aspirants died after the basement of a coaching centre flooded—was caused by drain clogging and the area’s low-lying nature, which led to water stagnation.

Unfortunately, almost every other city in India is in a similar pathetic state. Perhaps it is time to go back in time and learn from the ancient wisdom of our ancestors, who understood the importance of working in harmony with nature rather than against it. By incorporating the knowledge and practices of the Harappan civilization, such as sophisticated drainage systems, rainwater harvesting, and strategic city planning, we can strive to create more resilient and sustainable urban environments that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change and urbanization.

The End of the Blog : Harappan cities had remarkable drainage systems- Delhi can learn a thing or two