Short Notes for MHI-10 – Question 5
i) City States
City-states are independent, self-governing urban centres that function both as cities and sovereign political entities. In early Indian history, city-states are believed to have existed especially during the later Vedic period and in the early historic era. They were often characterized by a compact urban centre, a clear political authority (such as a king or an oligarchy), and control over surrounding rural hinterlands.
The most prominent examples come from the 6th century BCE, a period that saw the emergence of the Mahajanapadas. While not all were strictly city-states, several such as Kashi, Kosala, and Magadha had prominent urban centres like Varanasi and Rajagriha that functioned as political, economic, and religious hubs. These cities served as nodal points for trade, religious discourse, and administrative control.
City-states in ancient India are often compared with Greek polis-type city-states. However, Indian city-states were often embedded in broader hierarchical and religious structures. Their economy was supported by agriculture from nearby villages, and political legitimacy often rested on ritual status and Brahmanical sanction. Despite this, they allowed a measure of participatory governance and civic identity.
ii) Mohenjodaro: Public Architecture
Mohenjodaro, one of the key cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, showcases remarkably advanced public architecture for its time (c. 2600–1900 BCE). Its public buildings demonstrate both technological skill and an early form of civic planning.
The most iconic example of public architecture in Mohenjodaro is the Great Bath, located on the citadel mound. This large, rectangular structure made with baked bricks and waterproofed with bitumen likely had ritual or communal functions. It was surrounded by galleries, changing rooms, and staircases, and it even had a drainage system connected to covered sewers—indicating a high level of planning and sanitation awareness.
Other examples of public architecture include the granary—used for storage of surplus crops—and large public wells, some of which served entire neighborhoods. The consistent use of standardized baked bricks and the alignment of public spaces with a grid-patterned street layout highlight a sophisticated municipal authority.
Mohenjodaro’s public buildings reveal a society deeply invested in communal life, hygiene, and regulation—traits that point to an advanced form of civic consciousness and urban planning, making it one of the earliest and most organized urban centres in world history.