Question

Which of the following is true regarding the roads of Mohenjodaro?
A) The main roads were 9.75 metres wide
B) The small link roads crossed the major ones at right angles
C) The roads were constructed in such a way that the winds could sweep the dust from the roads
D) All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: The term "death mound" is used to describe the site, and its archaeological significance was first recognised in 1922. The ruins of the Indus civilization's greatest settlement were unearthed among the mounds after excavations. Because Harappa was the first site to be excavated in the early 1920s, the Indus valley civilization is also known as the Harappan civilization. This location was once in British India's Punjab province but is now in Pakistan.

Complete answer:
The Indus Valley Civilization is known for its superior engineering and town design. Citadels were built on a higher platform in the west of cities like Mohenjodaro and Harappa, and the residential area was in the east. High brick walls encircled both of these structures.

Let us now analyze the given options:
A) The main roads were 9.75 metres wide: One of the main features of the roads of Mohenjodaro is in their construction. Houses built on the corners of streets were rounded to allow carts to pass through. The roadways were wide enough to accommodate a large number of carts at once. The main road in the city of Mohenjo-Daro was 9.75 metres wide and 800 metres long. There may have been lamp posts based on the presence of pits along the roadside. Thus this is a correct statement. But while considering other options, this is an incorrect option.

B) The small link roads crossed the major ones at right angles: The grid design was used to construct the principal streets of Harappan cities. They were built in two directions: north-south and east-west. The streets were laid up in such a way that they crossed the city's main road at right angles, splitting the city into square or rectangular blocks. This statement is correct. But we should consider all the given options. Thus we can conclude that this is an incorrect option.

C) The roads were constructed in such a way that the winds could sweep the dust from the roads: The dust management and drainage system of Mohenjo-Daro was quite outstanding. The roadways were built in such a way that the dust would be swept away by the winds. The water from the house drained into the streets, which had already been drained. The residents of the Indus Valley placed a higher value on health and hygiene than any other bronze-age civilization. Thus this is a correct statement regarding the roads of Mohenjodaro. But while considering all choices, this is an incorrect option.

D) All of the above: The main roads in Mohenjodaro were 9.75 metres wide, the tiny link roads crossed the major ones at right angles, and the roads were built in such a way that the dust could be swept away by the breezes. Thus, this is the correct option.


Thus, the correct option is all of the above. The main features regarding the roads of Mohenjodaro are, the main roads were 9.75 metres wide, the small link roads crossed the major ones at right angles and the roadways were built such that the dust would be swept away by the winds.

Therefore the correct answer is option ‘D’.

Note: The raised region, known as the 'Citadel,' and the lower town were the two primary components of the Harappan towns. Because the Citadel's structures were built on mud-brick platforms, it was taller. A wall divided this area from the lower town. The Great Bath, the Assembly Hall, the Granary, and the Workshops were all part of the Citadel's complex. The lower town, on the other hand, was primarily residential.