The Great Bath is one of the best known structures among the ruins of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization at Mohenjo-daro in Sindh, Pakistan.[1][2] It is located in the well-preserved northern part of Mohenjo-daro's western mound, which is also known as the "Mound of the Great Bath" or the "citadel".[3]
Archaeological evidence indicates that the Great Bath was built in in the 3rd century BCE, just sometime after raising of the mound on which it is located.[4] It was no longer in use during the last phases of the Late Period of the civilization.[5] It was discovered during 1925-26.[1]
The Great Bath measures 11.88 metres x 7.01 metres, and has a maximum depth of 2.43 metres. Two wide staircases, one from the north and one from the south, served as the entry to the structure.[6] The Great Bath is built of fine baked bricks lined with bitumen (presumably to keep water from seeping through), which indicates that it was used for holding water. Many scholars have suggested that it could have been a place for ritual bathing or religious ceremonies, but the actual use remains a mystery.[1]Some say it was used to purify the soul in ancient South Asia.