Imagine the large number of workers required to build such a network of reservoirs. Who do you think organised their work and gave them precise instructions? How do you think they were paid for their labour? (Hint: there was no money at that time in the way we have today.) Since the reservoirs needed to be cleaned from time to time, was there some local authority to manage their maintenance? What clues do we get from all this about this city's ruler and municipal administration?
Building and maintaining reservoirs required sophisticated administration.
A central authority or ruler likely organised workers, gave instructions, and coordinated construction. Workers may have been paid through food grains, goods, or land rights since money did not exist.
The existence of maintenance systems suggests local authorities managed ongoing operations.
These clues indicate Harappan cities had well-organised municipal administration capable of planning, executing, and maintaining large public infrastructure projects over centuries.
Explanation
The chapter's 'Think About It' box prompts students to consider the implications of large-scale infrastructure. The reservoirs at Dholavira, the wells at Mohenjo-daro (about 700 wells), and the drainage systems all point to sophisticated urban planning and administration. The chapter notes that 'the earlier government or administration no longer existed' after the civilisation's decline, implying such administration was crucial.
Solution Steps
Building and maintaining reservoirs required sophisticated administration
A central authority or ruler likely organised workers and coordinated construction
Workers were probably paid through food grains, goods, or land rights since money did not exist
Maintenance systems suggest local authorities managed ongoing operations
Harappan cities had well-organised municipal administration for large infrastructure projects