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h. The Indus era settlement at Dholavira had no waterfront, even though it was located at the edge of a water stream. Even recreation of any kind was not associated with use of water. Source: Illustration by Author based on Graphical representation of Settlement of Dholavira by Archaeological Survey of India.
i. This Indus era settlement at Lothal had perceived its waterfront as an edge of a dock, for trade and commerce with settlements in the Gulf Region of the present Middle Eastern Asia. It was not associated with any other form of human activity. Source: Illustration by Author based on Graphical representation of Settlement of Lothal by Archaeological Survey of India.
Waterfronts in India: Origin & Morphological Description
Vedic Influence The advent of Aryans and Dravidians into the Indian subcontinent brought the present form of “Hindu culture” to the Asian subcontinent (2). The Hindu religious practices followed idol worships. These idols would be based on deities, which might represent a natural creature or an element of nature. Temples, with idols, trees with religious significance, forces of nature like water, air, sun, etc. and living creatures were some of the elements which are worshiped in the Hindu Religious practices (3). The waterfronts would typically consist of all these objects dispersed in the three dimensional space, in their real form or as a replica of the same. The use and religious significance of the waterfront would then determine the arrangement of these elements in space. Examples As per Hindu Beliefs, Varanasi, an ancient settlement next to the Holy River Ganges, had been an abode for reliving the human spirit of all earthly attachments on its way to heaven (4). Final rites after the death of a living body are performed on the Ghats of Varanasi. This would require podiums for worshipping, temples with Hindu deities representing death and Ghats for holy bath during the rituals. These waterfronts would not be used for a single large gathering. It would be for numerous small gatherings around small worshipping podiums. (Image j)
j. Graphical representation of Ghats at Varanasi. Source: Illustration by Author.
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Mythologically, another ancient holy city of Haridwar, is associated with reliving oneself from all sins of the present and previous births of the human body with a dip in the Holy water of Ganges and subsequent worship of the Goddess Ganga (5). This would require bathing ghats, temples of Goddess Ganga and large congregation space for the worship of the Goddess. (Image K)
k. Graphical representation of Ghats at Haridwar. Source: Illustration by Author.
Mughal (Islamic) Influence In the period starting from 13th century upto 16th century, advent of Islamic conquerors added another flavour to the perception of waterfronts in the Indian subcontinent. This was due to two prominent reasons. Firstly, Islamic tenets were against the worship of elements of nature including water. As a result waterfronts had no religious or cultural significance. It can also be seen, in the Islamic architecture, where simple geometric shapes and forms were used while replication of any element of nature was considered blasphemy (6). Secondly, Islamic conquerors had a sense of insecurity due to the presence of warring natives. As a result the Islamic settlements started creating fortified cities. These cities would be located next to a source of water. Yet, instead of opening up to the water bodies, they would consider the huge expanse of unbuildable space of a water body as a safety measure against their enemies. They would not use them