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{{Short description| | {{Short description|Structure at the ruins of Mohenjo-daro in Pakistan}} | ||
{{about||the structure in Bath, England|Roman Baths (Bath)}} | {{about||the structure in Bath, England|Roman Baths (Bath)}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date= | {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} | ||
[[File:Mohenjodaro Sindh.jpeg|thumb|right|250px|The Great Bath was found in 1926 during archaeological excavations]] | [[File:Mohenjodaro Sindh.jpeg|thumb|right|250px|The Great Bath was found in 1926 during archaeological excavations]] | ||
The '''Great Bath''' is one of the best-known structures among the ruins of the [[Harappan Civilization]] excavated at [[Mohenjo-daro]] in present-day [[Sindh]] province of [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=SD Area |website=Ancient India |publisher=[[British Museum]] |url= http://www.ancientindia.co.uk/indus/explore/sd_intro_b1.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180703133435/http://www.ancientindia.co.uk/indus/explore/sd_intro_b1.html |archive-date=3 July 2018 |url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=EB>"[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/242946/Great-Bath Great Bath]." Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 9 June 2010.</ref><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |last=Tikkanen |first=Amy |title=Great Bath |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |date=26 January 2018 |url= https://www.britannica.com/place/Great-Bath-Mohenjo-daro |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180703164742/https://www.britannica.com/place/Great-Bath-Mohenjo-daro |archive-date=3 July 2018 |url-status= live}}</ref> Archaeological evidence indicates that the Great Bath was built in the third millennium BCE, soon after the raising of the "citadel" mound on which it is located.<ref name=Singh>{{cite book |last=Singh |first=Upinder |author-link=Upinder Singh |title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 1100s |publisher=Pearson Education |year=2008 |isbn=978-81-317-1120-0 |location=New Delhi |pages=149–150 |chapter=The Harappan Civilization, c. 2600–1900 BCE |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=H3lUIIYxWkEC&pg=PA149}}</ref> | The '''Great Bath''' is one of the best-known structures among the ruins of the [[Harappan Civilization]], excavated at [[Mohenjo-daro]] in present-day [[Sindh]] province of [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=SD Area |website=Ancient India |publisher=[[British Museum]] |url= http://www.ancientindia.co.uk/indus/explore/sd_intro_b1.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180703133435/http://www.ancientindia.co.uk/indus/explore/sd_intro_b1.html |archive-date=3 July 2018 |url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=EB>"[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/242946/Great-Bath Great Bath]." Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 9 June 2010.</ref><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |last=Tikkanen |first=Amy |title=Great Bath |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |date=26 January 2018 |url= https://www.britannica.com/place/Great-Bath-Mohenjo-daro |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180703164742/https://www.britannica.com/place/Great-Bath-Mohenjo-daro |archive-date=3 July 2018 |url-status= live}}</ref> Archaeological evidence indicates that the Great Bath was built in the third millennium BCE, soon after the raising of the "citadel" mound on which it is located.<ref name=Singh>{{cite book |last=Singh |first=Upinder |author-link=Upinder Singh |title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 1100s |publisher=Pearson Education |year=2008 |isbn=978-81-317-1120-0 |location=New Delhi |pages=149–150 |chapter=The Harappan Civilization, c. 2600–1900 BCE |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=H3lUIIYxWkEC&pg=PA149}}</ref> | ||
==Features== | ==Features of The Great Bath== | ||
The Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro is called the "earliest public water tank of the ancient world".<ref>Kenoyer, slide [https://www.harappa.com/slide/great-bath-mohenjo-daro-0 8 of 90].</ref> | The Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro is called the "earliest public water tank of the ancient world".<ref>Kenoyer, slide [https://www.harappa.com/slide/great-bath-mohenjo-daro-0 8 of 90].</ref>{{convert|12|m|ft|-1}} by {{convert|7|m|ft}}, with a maximum depth of {{convert|2.4|m|ft|0}}.<ref>Kenoyer, slide [https://www.harappa.com/indus6/greatbathatdawn24.html 24 of 103].</ref> Two wide staircases, one from the north and one from the south, served as the entry to the structure.<ref>Kenoyer, slide [http://www.mohenjodaro.net/greatbath25.html 25 of 103].</ref> A ledge {{convert|1.4|m|ftin}} high extending the entire width of the bath is at the lower ends of these stairs. The sloping floor leads to a small outlet at the southwestern corner of the tank, connecting [[corbelled arch]] drain, which led the used water out of the bath.<ref>Kenoyer, slides [https://www.harappa.com/indus6/greatbathside29.html 29]-[https://www.harappa.com/indus6/greatbathdrain32.html 32 of 103], outlet and corbelled drain.</ref> | ||
The floor of the tank was watertight due to finely fitted bricks laid on edge with a gypsum plaster, and the side walls were constructed in a similar manner. To make the tank even more watertight, a thick layer of [[bitumen]] (waterproof tar) was laid along the sides of the pool and presumably also on the floor. Brick colonnades were discovered on the eastern, northern and southern edges. The preserved columns had stepped edges that may have held wooden screens or window frames. Two large doors lead into the complex from the south and other access was from the north and east. A series of rooms were located along the eastern edge of the building and in one room was a well that may have supplied some of the water needed to fill the tank. Rainwater also may have been collected for the purpose, but no inlet drains have been found. It may have had a long bathing pool built with waterproof bricks.<ref name=Kenoyer>Kenoyer, slide [http://www.harappa.com/indus/8.html 8 of 90].</ref> | The floor of the tank was watertight due to finely fitted bricks laid on edge with a gypsum plaster, and the side walls were constructed in a similar manner. To make the tank even more watertight, a thick layer of [[bitumen]] (waterproof tar) was laid along the sides of the pool and presumably also on the floor. Brick colonnades were discovered on the eastern, northern and southern edges. The preserved columns had stepped edges that may have held wooden screens or window frames. Two large doors lead into the complex from the south and other access was from the north and east. A series of rooms were located along the eastern edge of the building and in one room was a well that may have supplied some of the water needed to fill the tank. Rainwater also may have been collected for the purpose, but no inlet drains have been found. It may have had a long bathing pool built with waterproof bricks.<ref name=Kenoyer>Kenoyer, slide [http://www.harappa.com/indus/8.html 8 of 90].</ref> | ||
<blockquote>"Most scholars | <blockquote>"Most scholars agree that this tank would have been used for special religious functions where water was used to purify and renew the well being of the bathers. This indicates the importance attached to ceremonial bathing in sacred tanks, pools and rivers since time immemorial." [[Jonathan Mark Kenoyer|J. M. Kenoyer]]<ref name=Kenoyer/></blockquote> | ||
The fresh water supply at Mohenjo-Daro was fed by a system of wells that were lined with wedge-shaped bricks.<ref name="APH">{{cite journal |last1=Jansen |first1=M |title=Water Supply and Sewage Disposal at Mohenjo-Daro |journal=Archaeology of Public Health |date=1989 |volume=21 |issue=2 |pmid=16470995 |url=https://sleigh-munoz.co.uk/wash/Mara/History/Mojenjodaro2.pdf |access-date=24 October 2024}}</ref> | |||
===College of Priests=== | ===College of Priests=== | ||
Across the street of The Great Bath, there was a | Across the street of The Great Bath, there was a big building with multiple rooms and three verandas, and two staircases leading to the roof and upper floor. Reminding the size of | ||
the Great Bath, this building is mostly called as the House of Priests and labelled as "College of Priests.” | |||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
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{{refbegin}} | {{refbegin}} | ||
* [[Jonathan Mark Kenoyer|Kenoyer, Jonathan Mark]]. Two sets of indexed images: ''[https://www.harappa.com/slideshows/mohenjo-daro Mohenjo-daro!]'', 103 slides. See "Great Bath, SD Area", slides [https://www.harappa.com/indus6/greatbathgranary23.html 23]-[https://www.harappa.com/indus6/greatbathdrain32.html 32]; and ''[https://www.harappa.com/slideshows/around-indus-90-slides Around the Indus in 90 Slides]'', [https://www.harappa.com/indus/indus1.html introduction] and slides [https://www.harappa.com/slide/great-bath-mohenjo-daro-0 8]-[https://www.harappa.com/slide/great-bath-mohenjo-daro 9] & [https://www.harappa.com/slide/bath-area-mohenjo-daro 12]. 1995–2022. Accessed 2 July 2012, re-accessed 11 July 2022. | * [[Jonathan Mark Kenoyer|Kenoyer, Jonathan Mark]]. Two sets of indexed images: ''[https://www.harappa.com/slideshows/mohenjo-daro Mohenjo-daro!]'', 103 slides. See "Great Bath, SD Area", slides [https://www.harappa.com/indus6/greatbathgranary23.html 23]-[https://www.harappa.com/indus6/greatbathdrain32.html 32]; and ''[https://www.harappa.com/slideshows/around-indus-90-slides Around the Indus in 90 Slides]'', [https://www.harappa.com/indus/indus1.html introduction] and slides [https://www.harappa.com/slide/great-bath-mohenjo-daro-0 8]-[https://www.harappa.com/slide/great-bath-mohenjo-daro 9] & [https://www.harappa.com/slide/bath-area-mohenjo-daro 12]. 1995–2022. Accessed 2 July 2012, re-accessed 11 July 2022. | ||
{{refend}} | {{refend}}{{commons category|The Great Bath of Moenjodaro}} | ||
{{coords|27|19|31.29|N|68|7|58.34|E|display=title}} | {{coords|27|19|31.29|N|68|7|58.34|E|display=title}} | ||
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[[Category:Bathing]] | [[Category:Bathing]] | ||
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 26th century BC]] | [[Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 26th century BC]] | ||
[[Category:Indus Valley | [[Category:Indus Valley Civilisation sites]] | ||
[[Category:Public baths]] | [[Category:Public baths]] | ||
[[Category:Mohenjo-daro]] | |||
Latest revision as of 12:06, 22 November 2025
The Great Bath is one of the best-known structures among the ruins of the Harappan Civilization, excavated at Mohenjo-daro in present-day Sindh province of Pakistan.[1][2][3] Archaeological evidence indicates that the Great Bath was built in the third millennium BCE, soon after the raising of the "citadel" mound on which it is located.[4]
Features of The Great Bath[edit | edit source]
The Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro is called the "earliest public water tank of the ancient world".[5]12 metres (40 ft) by 7 metres (23 ft), with a maximum depth of 2.4 metres (8 ft).[6] Two wide staircases, one from the north and one from the south, served as the entry to the structure.[7] A ledge 1.4 metres (4 ft 7 in) high extending the entire width of the bath is at the lower ends of these stairs. The sloping floor leads to a small outlet at the southwestern corner of the tank, connecting corbelled arch drain, which led the used water out of the bath.[8]
The floor of the tank was watertight due to finely fitted bricks laid on edge with a gypsum plaster, and the side walls were constructed in a similar manner. To make the tank even more watertight, a thick layer of bitumen (waterproof tar) was laid along the sides of the pool and presumably also on the floor. Brick colonnades were discovered on the eastern, northern and southern edges. The preserved columns had stepped edges that may have held wooden screens or window frames. Two large doors lead into the complex from the south and other access was from the north and east. A series of rooms were located along the eastern edge of the building and in one room was a well that may have supplied some of the water needed to fill the tank. Rainwater also may have been collected for the purpose, but no inlet drains have been found. It may have had a long bathing pool built with waterproof bricks.[9]
"Most scholars agree that this tank would have been used for special religious functions where water was used to purify and renew the well being of the bathers. This indicates the importance attached to ceremonial bathing in sacred tanks, pools and rivers since time immemorial." J. M. Kenoyer[9]
The fresh water supply at Mohenjo-Daro was fed by a system of wells that were lined with wedge-shaped bricks.[10]
College of Priests[edit | edit source]
Across the street of The Great Bath, there was a big building with multiple rooms and three verandas, and two staircases leading to the roof and upper floor. Reminding the size of the Great Bath, this building is mostly called as the House of Priests and labelled as "College of Priests.”
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
During 1922-1927 archaeological excavations -
Explanatory sign -
General view -
View of tank with both staircases -
Staircase -
Masonry detail
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "SD Area". Ancient India. British Museum. Archived from the original on 3 July 2018.
- ↑ "Great Bath." Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
- ↑ Tikkanen, Amy (26 January 2018). "Great Bath". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 3 July 2018.
- ↑ Singh, Upinder (2008). "The Harappan Civilization, c. 2600–1900 BCE". A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 1100s. New Delhi: Pearson Education. pp. 149–150. ISBN 978-81-317-1120-0.
- ↑ Kenoyer, slide 8 of 90.
- ↑ Kenoyer, slide 24 of 103.
- ↑ Kenoyer, slide 25 of 103.
- ↑ Kenoyer, slides 29-32 of 103, outlet and corbelled drain.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Kenoyer, slide 8 of 90.
- ↑ Jansen, M (1989). "Water Supply and Sewage Disposal at Mohenjo-Daro" (PDF). Archaeology of Public Health. 21 (2). PMID 16470995. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
Bibliography[edit | edit source]
- Kenoyer, Jonathan Mark. Two sets of indexed images: Mohenjo-daro!, 103 slides. See "Great Bath, SD Area", slides 23-32; and Around the Indus in 90 Slides, introduction and slides 8-9 & 12. 1995–2022. Accessed 2 July 2012, re-accessed 11 July 2022.