The HARRAPAN CIVILISATION 

The discovery of Indus Valley Civilization in the 20th century was an important event in the history of India. Upto this time it was believed that history of India began with the advent of Aryans. However, the discovery of the Harappan Civilization stretched backed the origin of Indian history so as to put it at par with the other oldest civilization of the world, namely Mesopotamian and Egypt Civilization . The Indus Valley civilization is best known as the Harappan Culture or the Harappan Civilization. The term ‘culture’ is used by the archaeologist for the group of object distinctive in style.That are usually found together with a specific geographical area and the period of time. In the case of Harappan culture,  these distinctive object are seals, weight, stone blades and baked bricks. It is also called the Harappan Civilization because the Harappan site was the first to be discovered in 1921 as the modern site of Harappa situated in the province of west Punjab in Pakistan Mohenjo Daro was discovered in 1922. Both lie in the Indus Valley region.

The Great Bath is one of the largest public buildings at Mohanjo-daro. It has a large rectangular tank in a courtyard surrounded by a corridor on all four sides.  There are two flights of step one in the north and the other in the south leading into the tank. To make the pool watertight burnt bricks and the mortar lined with the bitumen and gypsum were used for construction.  The water for the bath was provided by a well in an adjacent room. Surrounding the bath, were porticos and set of rooms , and a stairway which led to an upper storey. Some scholars believe that these room were provided for the members of some kind of priesthood, whereas others think that the rooms where provided for  changing clothes. This structure with several distinctive features, ha led scholars to suggest that it was meant for some kind of ritual bath.

The Great Bath is an important source of information that throws light on the life of the people and culture of the harrapan civilisation. 

 • the construction of the Great Bath indicates that the art of of buildings had a reached a high degree of perfection at that time .

• The massive structure point out that there might have existed a ruling class that could mobilise labour, collect taxes and build such a huge structure for the public. 
• Most of the scholars agree the great bath might have been used for religious purposes. This indicates the importance attached to ceremonial bathing in sacred tanks, pools and rivers since time immemorial. 
• The design of the great bath portrays the efficient planning in the structural features relating to water supply and sewage disposal.