SHIKHAR Mains UPPSC 2021 English Answer Day 1
Updated : 20th Nov 2021
Q1: Discussing the main features of town planning of Harappan civilization, explain their effects on the present town planning.
Approach -1- Begin the answer by giving a general introduction to the Harappan Civilization.
2- After this, explain the main features of Harappan era town planning and their impact.
3- Lastly, give conclusion with reference to developed and urbanized civilization.
Answer -
The history of India begins with the Indus Valley Civilization, which we also know as the Harappan Civilization. It was spread in the western part of South Asia around 2500 BC. The Indus Valley Civilization was more advanced than the four largest ancient urban civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and China. In 1920, the remains of the Indus Valley excavations conducted by the Archaeological Department of India led to the discovery of two ancient cities namely Harappa and Mohenjodaro. John Marshall, the then Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India, announced the discovery of a new civilization in the Indus Valley in 1924. The highest concentration of archaeological sites related to Harappan civilization has been found in Ghaggar/Hakra river valley. Mohenjodaro, Harappa, Rakhigarhi, Lothal, Dholavira, Surkotada and Kalibanga were the major urban centers of the Indus civilization. The planning of these cities presents evidence of the Indus civilization being a developed urban civilization. This is known as the first urbanization of India.
Main features of Harappan town planning and impact on present urbanization
The most important feature of the Harappan civilization was its town planning. The planning of most of the cities of this civilization was homogeneous, the cities had a network of roads that cut each other at right angles.
- Often there is a difference between the settlement of the East and the West in the cities. While the western part shows fortifications or fortified structures, the eastern part appears to be a normal residential area.It is possible that the western part may have been an administrative or public area. Probably the people of the ruling class lived in the western part. Even today, administrative centers and the residences of administrators are often located in specific areas.
A major feature of the cities of the Harappan civilization was their drainage system. The drains were constructed with pucca bricks. This continues to be a feature of the present urban water management.
The roads cut each other at right angles. Due to which the city was divided into many rectangular sections. This is a popular form of urbanization even today. The importance of this form of urbanization is from the point of view of security and communication with the administration along with beauty.
Houses were built on both sides of the roads. The doors and windows of these houses did not open towards the road but towards the back of the house. The design of these buildings was very similar to that of modern buildings.
Ornate bricks were used in Kalibanga, the buildings of the rest of the cities are often without ornamentation. There was uniformity in the measurement of bricks used in all the Sandhav cities. Some towns were centers of specific industries such as Chanhudaro was the center of bead manufacturing. Similarly, industry specific urban system can be seen even today.
The above features of the town planning of the Harappan civilization gave a special place to the Harappan civilization in the then world. Town planning indicates the presence of planners in the Indus civilization. The city planning of the Indus civilization affects the present urban planning in many ways. As smart city project missions are developed on the ideals of Harappan urban system / due to these characteristics, Indus civilization is called as the first urbanization.
Q2: Examine the various aspects of art and architecture of the Bronze Age civilisation.
Approach -
- Begin the answer with a general introduction to the civilization of the Harappan civilization.
After this, do an example analysis of town planning, sculpture and painting in the main part.
Finally, by explaining the importance of this civilization, conclude the answer.
After this, do an example analysis of town planning, sculpture and painting in the main part.
Finally, by explaining the importance of this civilization, conclude the answer.
Answer -
Harappa or Indus Valley Civilization is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. From 2600 to 1900 BC. it was in mature state. The Harappan civilization spread mainly from north-east Afghanistan, north-west Pakistan to the northern region of India. It was a contemporary civilization to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamian civilization. The highest concentration of archaeological sites related to Harappan civilization has been found in Ghaggar/Hakra river valley.The archaeological sources obtained from the sites of Harappan civilization give information about the art and architecture of the time.
Harappan architecture
The most important feature of the Harappan civilization was its town planning. The planning was uniform. Cities were often covered with a network of roads.
- Often there is a difference between the settlement of the East and the West in the cities. While the western part shows fortifications or fortified structures, the eastern part appears to be a general residential area. It is possible that the western part may have been an administrative or public area. Probably the people of the ruling class lived in the western part. Even today, administrative centers and the residences of administrators are often located in specific areas.
A major feature of the cities of Harappan civilization was their drainage system. The drain coming from each house used to open into the drains built on the roadside. All the drains were covered with stones. Manholes were also made somewhere in the drains. The drains were constructed with pucca bricks. This continues to be a feature of current urban water management.
The roads here used to cut each other at right angles. Due to which the city was divided into many rectangular sections. This is a popular form of urbanization even today. The importance of this form of urbanization is from the point of view of security and communication with the administration along with beauty. Houses were built on both sides of the roads. The doors and windows of these houses did not open towards the road but towards the back of the house. The design of these buildings was very similar to that of modern buildings.
Mohenjodaro, Harappa, Rakhigarhi, Lothal, Dholavira, Surkotada and Kalibanga were the major urban centers of the Indus civilization. The planning of these cities presents evidence of the Indus civilization being a developed urban civilization.
Indigo sculpture
Evidence of stone, metal and clay sculptures is found from Harappan cities, although there is less evidence of stone and metal sculptures compared to contemporary civilizations.
Most of the evidence of stone sculptures comes from Mohenjodaro and some sculptures have been found from Harappa although stone sculptures are numerically less. The torso of a dancing youth (Harappa), a male with a beard from Mohenjodaro are some of the prominent sculptures.
Liquid wax method (lost wax) was used in the manufacturing of metal sculptures.Among the metal sculptures, the bronze dancer (Mohenjodaro) is the most famous. Apart from this, idols of bulls and other animals made of metal have also been found.
Beauty and balanced body proportions are the important features of these idols. In other words, these sculptures represent realistic art. Along with this, the cost of these sculptures must have been high, so it is estimated that these statues express the attitude of the upper classes of the society in the field of art.Clay sculptures have also been found in abundance from different cities of Harappa. There are more statues of women than men. Among the animals, the largest number of humped bull idols have been found. Apart from this, there is evidence of various animals and birds, toys and sculptures related to humor. These idols do not have artistic beauty like stone and metal sculptures but are an important source for the religious beliefs and means of entertainment of common people of contemporary society.
Harappan painting
Red and black color have been used more in paintings, most of the evidence of Harappan paintings is obtained from utensils. Most of the trees and plants were depicted on the pots like peepal, neem etc.
Picture of a cunning fox obtained from Lothal, a picture of a fisherman from Harappa are some of the prominent pictures. in these pictures, importance has been given to various elements of nature. The tradition of paintings on utensils has continued even further.
It is clear from the above descriptions that the Harappan civilization was in a sufficiently developed stage in terms of art and architecture. Various aspects of Harappan era art and architecture provide input to the present art and architecture, that is, these characteristics can be seen even in the present urbanization, so the cultural aspect of Harappan era is still present in one form or the other.
Picture of a cunning fox obtained from Lothal, a picture of a fisherman from Harappa are some of the prominent pictures. in these pictures, importance has been given to various elements of nature. The tradition of paintings on utensils has continued even further.
It is clear from the above descriptions that the Harappan civilization was in a sufficiently developed stage in terms of art and architecture. Various aspects of Harappan era art and architecture provide input to the present art and architecture, that is, these characteristics can be seen even in the present urbanization, so the cultural aspect of Harappan era is still present in one form or the other.
Q3: Stupa architecture holds its own special place in ancient India. Discuss the development of stupa architecture in the light of this statement.
Approach
Begin the answer with a general discussion about stupa architecture and its development.
After this, expand the answer by describing the development of stupa architecture in the main part.
In the end, conclude the answer by stating the importance of stupa architecture as a heritage.
After this, expand the answer by describing the development of stupa architecture in the main part.
In the end, conclude the answer by stating the importance of stupa architecture as a heritage.
Answer -
The literal meaning of Stupa is 'a heap of something'. The stupa probably evolved out of such an earthen platform, which was built on top of the funeral pyre or to keep the chosen ashes of the deceased. Stupas were also built at places related to important events of Gautam Buddha's life, birth, enlightenment, turning the wheel of Dharma and Nirvana. There are 4 different types of stupas – Sharirik stupa, Paribhogik stupa, Uddeshika stupa and Pujartakha stupa.
Stupas are hemispherical structures built on Buddha's bodily remains and used objects, they are believed to be the symbol of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana. The box made on top of the hemispherical structure is called Harmika, it has an umbrella. Harmika is considered a holy place as it houses the relics of Buddha. The base of the stupa is called a Medhi, on which the stupa is built.The entrance of the Stupa is called Torana while the four walls built around the Stupa are called Vedika. The circumambulatory path is built around it.
Stupa architecture in Mauryan period
After the Mahaparinirvana of Buddha, 8 stupas were built on his physical remains, although archaeological evidence is not found. ,From Buddhist texts it is known that Ashoka had built 84 thousand stupas, although it is considered a legend, yet the evidence of some stupas of Mauryan period has been found from Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Taxila, Sanchi Gaya etc. The construction of a large number of stupas not only testifies to the popularity of Buddhism in contemporary society but also of state patronage. All the features related to the stupa architecture are visible in the Ashoka stupas.
Wood was used in the pylons and altars of Mauryan stupas and bricks were used in the construction of stupas.
Stupa architecture in the post-Mauryan period
Despite being the protector of Brahmin religion in the post-Mauryan period, the construction of new stupas at Sanchi, Sarnath, Bharhut etc. under the protection of Sunga rulers and also the revival of some Ashoka stupas.
In contrast to the stupa architecture of the Maurya era, stones were being used more and more in place of wood in the Torans and railings of Shunga stupas.
The events of Buddha's life were explained through symbols (no statues of Buddha were made here) on Shunga stupas.
Huge stupas were built by the Kushan rulers in Peshawar, Taxila and Charsadda etc. In the Kushan period stupas have given great emphasis on ornamentation.
Evidence of statues of Buddha and Bodhisattva along with symbols on Kushan period stupas adjoining Shunga stupas are also found.
Similarly, the Satavahana rulers built stupas at Amaravati, Nagarjunikonda.
The use of marble in the construction of the Satavahana era stupas is also the main feature of this period.
Gupta Stupa Architecture
The tradition of building stupas continued even during the Gupta rulers. Evidence of Gupta stupas is found in Sarnath and Rajgraha. However, the number of stupas is comparatively less visible in this period.
Signs of decline are also visible in the construction style of stupas such as reduced height of platforms, use of pucca bricks etc. Evidence of the development of stupa architecture after the Guptas is not often found.
In fact, due to the rise of Brahmin religion, emphasis was being laid on temple architecture from the Gupta period, so the development of stupa architecture declines.
It is thus clear that the stupa architecture in India developed gradually. The climax of stupa architecture is visible in the post-Mauryan period. Being the heritage of ancient Indian culture, the place of stupas is important in the study of Indian architecture.
