What was the key engineering feature of Lothal, an ancient city in Gujarat, that made it a prominent trade center in the Harappan civilization?
- AStone-paved roads for trade goods
- BDockyard for maritime tradeCorrect
- CFortress for protection
- DUnderground drainage system
Solution
Concept
Harappan dockyard engineering at Lothal
Formula
NONE
Step-by-step solution
1. Lothal was an important coastal city of the Indus Valley Civilization located near the Gulf of Khambhat. 2. Its prominent engineering feature was a large brick basin identified as a tidal dockyard for international maritime trade. Answer: B
Explanation
Lothal features an ancient brick-lined dockyard connected to a tidal channel of the Sabarmati River system. This hydraulic engineering marvel allowed trading ships to berth safely during high tide and engage in maritime trade across the region. Consequently, the dockyard was the primary feature that enabled Lothal to thrive as a trade center, making option B correct.
Why the other options are wrong
A) Stone-paved roads were not the primary engineering feature driving Lothal's maritime trade. C) A fortress was meant for defense rather than facilitating trade networks. D) The underground drainage system was a sanitation feature, not a primary trade facilitator.
Shortcut
Lothal key feature = World's oldest Harappan Dockyard for maritime trade.
Common mistake
Selecting Option D (Underground drainage system) because it is a generic Harappan feature rather than Lothal's unique dockyard.
Correct answer: B) Dockyard for maritime trade