Read the passage and answer the questions:
The most ancient system yet discovered
About the drains, Mackay noted: “It is certainly the most complete ancient system as yet discovered.” Every house was connected to the street drains. The main channels were made of bricks set in mortar and were covered with loose bricks that could be removed for cleaning. In some cases, limestone was used for the covers. House drains first emptied into a sump or cesspit into which solid matter settled while waste water flowed out into the street drain. Very long drainage channels were provided at intervals with sumps for cleaning. It is a wonder of archaeology that “little heaps of materials, mostly sand, have frequently been found lying alongside drainage channels, which shows... that the debris was not always carted away when the drain was cleared”. Drainage systems were not unique to the larger cities, but were found in smaller settlements as well. At Lothal for example, while houses were built of mud bricks, drains were made of burnt bricks.
The most unique feature of Harappan Civilisation was the development of:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Urban centres
Perhaps the most unique feature of the Harappan civilisation was the development of urban centres, of which Mohenjodaro is the best known.
Note: A same/similar question was asked in CUET (UG) in the papers below.
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| 24-05 S1* | – | – | 30-05 S1 | – |
* A similar question.
NCERT (2026-27): “3. Mohanjodaro A Planned Urban Centre … Perhaps the most unique feature of the Harappan civilisation was the development of urban centres. Let us look at one such centre, Mohenjodaro, more closely. Although Mohenjodaro is the most well-known site, the first site to be discovered was Harappa.… 3.1 Laying out drains … One of the most distinctive features of Harappan cities was the carefully planned drainage system. If you look at the plan of the Lower Town you will notice that roads and streets were laid out along an approximate ‘grid’ pattern, intersecting at right angles.…” |