Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs?

Answer: A. DHOLAVIRA is the well-known Harappan town with an elaborate water harvesting and reservoir system. DHOLAVIRA, located in the Khadir Bet island of the Rann of Kutch (Gujarat), is one of the FIVE LARGEST INDUS VALLEY (Harappan) SITES (along with Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Rakhigarhi, Ganweriwala). Excavated by ASI under R. S. Bisht from 1989 onwards. UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE since 2021. WATER MANAGEMENT AT DHOLAVIRA — the most sophisticated yet found in the Indus civilisation: - The town is built between two seasonal streams (Mansar and Manhar). - A series of CHECK DAMS (over 16 reservoirs) channelled monsoon runoff and stream water. - INTERCONNECTED RESERVOIRS were cut into the rock or made of dressed-stone walls, with channels feeding water from one to the next. - A GIANT ROCK-CUT RESERVOIR (73 m long, 29 m wide, 10 m deep) was uncovered on the eastern fortification. - WELLS, STORM WATER DRAINS, AND WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS link them together. - This was crucial because Dholavira sat in a relatively arid region needing all-year water security. Why other options are LESS likely: (B) KALIBANGAN (Rajasthan) — known for fire altars, ploughed fields, distinct citadel, but NOT remarkable for reservoir engineering. (C) RAKHIGARHI (Haryana) — large urban site but its water systems are not the defining feature. (D) ROPAR / RUPNAGAR (Punjab) — important Harappan site, but no notable reservoir complex. Source: ASI Dholavira excavation reports (R. S. Bisht) / NCERT Class 12 Themes in Indian History Part I 'Bricks Beads and Bones'.