EXPLAIN THE FEATURES OF URBAN PLANNING IN THE INDUS VALLEY CITIES WITH REFERENCE TO THE NEW ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE.
The buried cities of Indus civilizations showed a unique sense of urban planning. The Indus civilizations were notably found in the areas of Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, Daro, and Lothal. These civilizations had the similar features in their town-planning. Although the Indus civilizations were of antiquity, they were very much advanced as compared to contemporaneous civilizations.
Their urban planning includes the general layout, categorization of space, and basic necessities. The systematic and meticulous planning led to the comfort of its inhabitants; whereby, there were evidence of extensive drainage and sewage system. The Indus cities were concerned of the comfort and sanitation rather than artistic features. This can be seen by the similar features of the buildings which were mostly squares and rectangular in shape.
General Layout
The layout of the city can be seen through the orientation of the buildings and streets. They were built according to the cardinal directions of east, west, north, and south. The streets intersected at exactly ninety degrees dividing the cities into squares and rectangle blocks. There were also high architectural skills. This can be shown through the straight and well-aligned streets.
Unique town planning was also shown in the division of areas between the commercial activities and residential dwellings. They were divided to Upper Town, consisted of the Citadel and other eminent buildings, and Lower Town, which were mostly residential area. This indicates that the working area was separated from the living area.
The Indus cities were also outlined by brick walls. Majumdar suggested that it may be a sign of defense. In addition to it, archaeological evidence showed several weapons and skeletons in the area itself. Another historian suggested that it may be a mean to control commercial activities because it was evident that there were only two entry points. The purposes were not justified, yet, we may conclude that the Indus civilizations used advanced technologies to make bricks to build the fortification.
Categorization of Space
As mentioned earlier, the Indus cities consist of the Upper and Lower Town. In the Upper Town area, which was also known as the Citadel, historians suggested that it served as an administration area. Eminent buildings such as the Great Bath, Granary, and Collegiate Buildings were located at the Citadel. Several barracks were also seen in this area. This also suggested that the Citadel was perhaps an industrial area.
An organized administration of the Indus civilizations can be seen in the stratification of residential dwellings. Unlike the Citadel, the residential area varied in sizes yet materials and style of construction remained similar.
Basic Necessities
The urban planning of the Indus civilizations was designed for practicality and comfort. As ancient as it may sound, the Indus civilizations had already thought of latrines, shower, drainage and sewage system. Private latrines were located on the second storey of the houses. Although these civilizations may be dated back to four millenniums away, the thought of gravity became a part of this unique feature of sanitation.
Water was an important necessity for the people. Their architectural skills can be shown by the elevation level of the wells and houses. This was to prevent mixing of waste water from the sewage and drains.
Although people of the Indus civilizations lived close-by with each other, there was also evidence of housing privacy. Houses in an area shared a common patio where all the windows and doors faced. Hallways were surrounded by walls.
Conclusion
Indus Valley cities may be ancient yet their urban planning was an evidence of advanced and meticulous civilizations. They were ingenious. The systematic town planning may not be possible without a coordinate, organized maintenance of its administration. Therefore, even in 3000 B.C., there was already advanced civilizations with contemporary thoughts in urban planning.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
February 15 Commemoration
Singapore History
What was significant about February 15?
Why do Singaporeans made February 15 an eventful day?
There had been debates about this day because this was when Singapore fell to the Japanese. But the question is ... Isn't it suppose to be a mourning day? That was exactly what MCP (Malayan Communist Party) tried to do before 1967. They made campaigns to mourn over the loss of Singapore to the Japanese. However, this act made the British very upset. To the British, mourning meant an attempt to embarass them because the British lost over the Japanese.
It was not until 1967, after Singapore's independence, that the real meaning of February 15 was revived. As part of the nation-building, the message spread across on February 15 were:
1. Don't rely on others for protection
>> Here is when Singapore realized that they can neither trust the British nor the Japanese. Singapore is a country of itself, and she can defend her own country by her own people. It had been a while since Singapore was under the British colonial rule. In my opinion, the Japanese Occupation made the people realized that they were actually weak as Singaporeans. So if there was a debate on whether the Japanese Occupation was actually a nightmare period for Singapore, I would say "Not really." Of course, the fact of being "occupied" was always unpleasant, especially when you were treated harshly and segragated. But, without the Japanese Occupation, Singapore would not have realized that she was always living under British shadows. Even in the Japanese Occupation itself, it was not as bad as other South-East Asian countries such as Indonesia, because the Japanese Occupation only lasted for 3 years. The Occupation actually guided Singapore to the sense of national identity. Without an identity, Singapore will not be as what it is today.
2. Racial divide is a fatal flaw in defence
>> Since Singapore had always been of diverse people (of different races), people had often feared discordance, especially the authorities. Up until now, we see how the government made campaigns to promote racial harmony in order to keep the four races united. Memorials such as the Civilian War Memorial, better known as "the four chopsticks", commemorated the sufferings that Singapore civilians (all four races) had to go through.
What was significant about February 15?
Why do Singaporeans made February 15 an eventful day?
There had been debates about this day because this was when Singapore fell to the Japanese. But the question is ... Isn't it suppose to be a mourning day? That was exactly what MCP (Malayan Communist Party) tried to do before 1967. They made campaigns to mourn over the loss of Singapore to the Japanese. However, this act made the British very upset. To the British, mourning meant an attempt to embarass them because the British lost over the Japanese.
It was not until 1967, after Singapore's independence, that the real meaning of February 15 was revived. As part of the nation-building, the message spread across on February 15 were:
1. Don't rely on others for protection
>> Here is when Singapore realized that they can neither trust the British nor the Japanese. Singapore is a country of itself, and she can defend her own country by her own people. It had been a while since Singapore was under the British colonial rule. In my opinion, the Japanese Occupation made the people realized that they were actually weak as Singaporeans. So if there was a debate on whether the Japanese Occupation was actually a nightmare period for Singapore, I would say "Not really." Of course, the fact of being "occupied" was always unpleasant, especially when you were treated harshly and segragated. But, without the Japanese Occupation, Singapore would not have realized that she was always living under British shadows. Even in the Japanese Occupation itself, it was not as bad as other South-East Asian countries such as Indonesia, because the Japanese Occupation only lasted for 3 years. The Occupation actually guided Singapore to the sense of national identity. Without an identity, Singapore will not be as what it is today.
2. Racial divide is a fatal flaw in defence
>> Since Singapore had always been of diverse people (of different races), people had often feared discordance, especially the authorities. Up until now, we see how the government made campaigns to promote racial harmony in order to keep the four races united. Memorials such as the Civilian War Memorial, better known as "the four chopsticks", commemorated the sufferings that Singapore civilians (all four races) had to go through.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)