Citadel
Topic: Harappan (Sindhu-Sarasvati) Civilisation · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 1 "Bricks, Beads and Bones"
Meaning
The Citadel was the smaller, higher western part of a Harappan city. It was built on mud-brick platforms, which lifted it above the rest of the city, and it was usually walled. Special buildings stood here, probably for public or ritual use. This shows that Harappan cities were carefully planned and had a separate zone for important structures.
Example
At Mohenjo-daro, the Citadel held the Great Bath and a large warehouse. The layout varied from place to place. At Lothal in Gujarat, the citadel was raised on a platform but not walled off. Dholavira was divided into three zones instead of two.
Don't confuse with
- Lower Town: The Lower Town was the larger, lower eastern part, where most people lived in houses. The Citadel held a few special public buildings.
Related concepts
- Harappan town planning
- Lower Town
- Upper town and lower town
- Harappan bricks
- Harappan domestic architecture
- Harappan drainage system
- Mohenjo-daro
- Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro
- Warehouse of Mohenjo-daro
- Dholavira reservoirs