Loading PDF...
Chapter Analysis
Intermediate27 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
The Harappan Civilisation, also known as the Indus Valley Civilisation, developed along the Indus River and its vicinity. It is distinguished by urban planning, advanced drainage systems, and standardized weights and measures. Despite a lack of deciphered written records, much is known from its archaeological artefacts like seals and pottery. The civilization developed complex subsistence strategies and engaged in extensive trade networks, both locally and with distant lands.
Key Topics
- •Urban Planning and Architecture
- •Trade and Economy
- •Subsistence Strategies
- •Social and Political Organization
- •Craft Production
- •Use of Seals and Script
- •Collapse of the Civilization
- •Archaeological Interpretations
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand the geographical spread and key features of the Harappan civilisation.
- ✓Explain the economic practices, including trade and craft production, of the Harappan people.
- ✓Analyze the social and political structures of the Harappan cities.
- ✓Evaluate the reasons for the decline of the Harappan civilisation.
- ✓Interpret archaeological evidence to reconstruct aspects of Harappan life.
- ✓Assess the contributions of various archaeologists to Harappan studies.
Questions in Chapter
List the items of food available to people in Harappan cities. Identify the groups who would have provided these.
Page 27
How do archaeologists trace socio-economic differences in Harappan society? What are the differences that they notice?
Page 27
Would you agree that the drainage system in Harappan cities indicates town planning? Give reasons for your answer.
Page 27
List the materials used to make beads in the Harappan civilisation. Describe the process by which any one kind of bead was made.
Page 27
Look at Fig. 1.30 and describe what you see. How is the body placed? What are the objects placed near it? Are there any artefacts on the body? Do these indicate the sex of the skeleton?
Page 27
Describe some of the distinctive features of Mohenjodaro.
Page 27
List the raw materials required for craft production in the Harappan civilisation and discuss how these might have been obtained.
Page 27
Discuss how archaeologists reconstruct the past.
Page 27
Discuss the functions that may have been performed by rulers in Harappan society.
Page 27
Additional Practice Questions
Explain the significance of the Great Bath found in Mohenjodaro.
mediumAnswer: The Great Bath in Mohenjodaro is thought to have been used for ritual bathing, indicating the importance of water in Harappan religious practices. Its design suggests advanced engineering skills, with baked bricks and bitumen for water-proofing.
How did the Harappans acquire raw materials not found locally?
hardAnswer: The Harappans established trade networks and possibly colonies in regions rich in resources, such as lapis lazuli from Afghanistan and copper from Rajasthan. They engaged in long-distance trade through both land and maritime routes.
What were the various subsistence strategies employed by the Harappans?
mediumAnswer: Harappans practiced mixed farming, growing grains like wheat and barley, and they also engaged in animal husbandry. They relied on both agriculture and trade to sustain their cities.
Discuss the relevance of Harappan seals in understanding their culture.
mediumAnswer: Harappan seals, often made of steatite, feature animal motifs and undeciphered scripts, providing insights into their trade practices, socio-economic structure, and connectivity with other cultures like Mesopotamia.
How does the town planning in Harappan cities reflect their understanding of civil engineering?
mediumAnswer: The grid-based layout, advanced drainage systems, and standardized brick sizes indicate sophisticated urban planning and civil engineering skills. These elements demonstrate their ability to efficiently manage urban populations and resources.