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The Great Bath of the Indus Valley Civilization is an architectural marvel of the Indus Valley Civilisation. The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600–1900 BC) is one of the world’s earliest cultures. This urban culture existed in present-day Pakistan and northwest India. The Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro or the Great Bath of the Indus Valley Civilization was discovered by Sir John Marshall in 1926. Since then, this archaeological site has been a mystery to historians. The Great Bath symbolizes advanced urban planning. Interested in learning more? Read this blog to understand its purpose, features, and other details.
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What Was the Great Bath of Indus Valley Civilization Used For?
The Great Bath of the Indus Valley Civilization was used for ritual or religious purposes. According to scholars, it was a site used for ceremonial bathing. Therefore, bathing here would mean purification and spiritual renewal. The location of the Great Bath within Mohenjo-Daro’s citadel (a raised area for public housing structures) showcases its role in communal rituals.
However, some people believe that it was used for hygiene purposes. This is because most houses already have private bathrooms. Therefore, they speculate that this cannot be a public bathhouse. Either way, the spiritual relevance is agreed upon. The reason? The temples were absent in the Indus cities.
Features of the Great Bath of Indus Valley Civilization
The following are the key features of the Great Bath of the Indus Valley.
- Dimensions– The Great Bath measures 12 × 7 meters. Its depth is of f 2.4 meters. The tank has 2 staircases (North and South). This ensured a safe entry.
- Waterproofing– The layers of the fitted bricks, bitumen (natural tar), and gypsum plaster ensured that this structure was leak-proof.
- Drainage System- The corbeled arch drain (southwestern corner) connected the used water to the sewage network
- Surrounding Structures– The Colonnades and rooms near the bath hint that this place was used for ceremonial purposes.
What is the Natural Tar in the Great Bath of Indus Valley?
Do you know how the great bath of Indus Valley civilization was waterproof? Well, they used bitumen. It was a naturally occurring tar, and it prevented water leakage from the bath’s floor and walls. The sticky black substance was used between bricks and plaster to prevent g seepage and ensure durability. The use of Bitumen showcases that the people of that time understood materials science. This was extremely rare in the 3rd-millennium BC engineering.
Was the Great Bath a Swimming Pool?
The Great Bath of the Indus Valley Civilisation has steep ledges, ritual artifacts, and limited depth. Therefore, it cannot be considered a swimming pool. Its design suggests that it is not meant for recreational purposes and that it was used for rituals. This is similar to other structures in ancient cultures like the Mesopotamian water temples.
Where Are the Remains of 700 Wells Found in Harappa?
Although Mohenjo-Daro’s Great Bath is an Iconic structure, Indus cities have other advanced water infrastructural facilities. For example, about 700 wells were discovered in Harappa. This ensured that clear water was available to households and public spaces. These wells were lined with wedge-shaped brick. This showcases that civilization gave importance to urban planning.
How Did the Great Bath Get Water?
The water for the great bath of Indus Valley civilization was taken from a large well in an adjacent room. It is also possible that rainwater was used. However, no inlet drains have been found. Since the bath is built in an elevated position, it allows gravity-fed drainage. During a flood, the water must have been taken from the nearby Indus River.
What Is the Oldest Swimming Pool in the World?
The Great Bath of the Indus Valley Civilization is considered the oldest swimming pool in the world. It is located in Pakistan and is also known as the earliest public water tank. However, the Great Bath was used for ritual bathing, and not for recreational purposes. Hence, they are different from modern-day swimming pools.
Short Note on the Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro
The Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro is a 4,500-year-old engineering marvel. It is located in present-day Pakistan and was built by the Indus Valley Civilization. It was built with precision-laid baked bricks, had an advanced drainage system, and was waterproofed using natural bitumen. This reflects that the Indus Valley civilization emphasized urban planning, communal life, and hygiene.
The Great Bath is the world’s earliest known public water tank. According to historians, it was built for ritual bathing or purification ceremonies. The Great Bath is surrounded by small rooms that were used as a changing area. The discovery of the Great Bath of Indus Valley civilization reshaped our understanding of ancient South Asian societies and highlighted their architectural achievements.
Where Can You Find the Great Bath of the Indus Valley Civilization?
The Great Bath of the Indus Valley Civilization is found in Pakistan. It is situated in Mohenjo-Daro, near the Indus River in Sindh province. Today, the Great Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Great Bath remains one of the earliest urban experiments of humanity.
5 Fun Facts About Great Bath of Indus Valley Civilization
These are five interesting facts about the Great Bath that you may not know.
- The Great Bath’s brickwork was sealed using bitumen. This was the earliest waterproofing method.
- The drainage system showcases that the used water was properly disposed of
- It was used for ritual purification and not for recreational purposes.
- There is no temple nearby, even though it was used for ritualistic purposes.
- It is located at the citadel’s center and plays an important role in urban planning.
FAQs
The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro is one of the important structures built by the Indus Valley Civilization. The structure was built in 1926 and was discovered as a result of the archaeological expedition led by Sir John Hubert Marshall.
Rakhigarhi is the biggest Harappan Civilization site. It is situated in Haryana and covers about 350 hectares. The place also resulted in the finding of DNA evidence of the people from the Harappan era.
Lothal City is the smallest Harappan site. It is also called the Mini Harappa. It is one southernmost cities of the Indus Valley Civilization. It is located in Bhal, modern Gujarat.
Horses are an animal that the Indus Valley people were unaware of. The popular animals of the time were dogs, cats, domestic fowl, pigs, camels, and buffalo.
The DNA analysis of a skeleton from the Rakhigarhi site revealed surprising facts. The skeleton was of a woman who had ancestry links to ancient Iranians and Southeast Asian hunter-gatherers. However, no evidence of the Steppe Pastoral ancestry was found.
Related Reads
These were the facts about the great bath of Indus valley civilization. If you find it fascinating and wish to read more such interesting facts, then stay tuned to the General Knowledge page of Leverage Edu.
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