Dholavira site of Indus Valley Civilization is best known for which of the following practices?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is: (c) Water conservation system

Explanation:

• Dholavira, located in present-day Kutch district of Gujarat, is one of the most prominent Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) sites, known especially for its advanced water conservation and management system.

• Excavations revealed an elaborate network of reservoirs, channels, stepwells, and check dams, showcasing the city's mastery over rainwater harvesting and stormwater management.

• The site is situated in an arid region (Rann of Kutch), making the development of water storage systems essential for survival and settlement sustainability.

• Dholavira is the fifth largest Harappan site and was discovered in 1967-68 by J.P. Joshi of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

• It features a unique urban planning layout divided into three parts: citadel, middle town, and lower town.

• The water system included 12 large reservoirs, built using stone masonry – rare for that era.

• Dholavira is the first Indus site in India to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage list (2021).

• The site also shows evidence of a signboard with inscriptions in the Harappan script, indicating early forms of communication.

• No evidence of iron usage has been found at Dholavira, as the Indus Valley Civilization was a Chalcolithic (Copper-Stone Age) civilization.