Directions: Identify the feature that did not belong to the Harappan urban tradition.

Which practice was absent from the Indus Valley Civilization?

Correct Answer: Widespread manufacture and use of iron implements

Explanation:
The Indus Valley Civilization (also known as the Harappan Civilization) belonged to the Bronze Age (c. 3300 – 1300 BCE). Harappan artisans and craftspeople worked extensively with metals such as copper, bronze, gold, and silver. However, iron was completely unknown to the people of the Indus Valley. Iron metallurgy emerged in the Indian subcontinent much later, during the Later Vedic Period (around 1000 BCE).

Let us review the key features of Harappan urban planning to understand why the other options were present:
• Division of settlements: Most Harappan cities (such as Harappa and Mohenjo-daro) were divided into two distinct parts — a higher elevated area known as the Citadel (used for public or administrative functions) and a lower area called the Lower Town (used for residential housing).
• Wastewater removal networks: One of the most remarkable features of Harappan cities was their advanced grid system and drainage network. Underground brick-lined drains connected individual homes to main street sewers, featuring inspection traps and soak pits.
• Kiln-fired bricks: Standardized burnt/kiln-fired bricks with a ratio of 4:2:1 (length : breadth : height) were extensively used across urban centers for building houses, walls, and drain channels.

Therefore, the widespread manufacture and use of iron implements was absent from the Harappan urban tradition.