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Chapter 1

The Harappan Civilization, named after the site of Harappa, thrived from approximately 2600 to 1900 BCE and is characterized by advanced agricultural practices, urban planning, and social stratification evident in burial customs. The civilization engaged in extensive trade with regions such as Mesopotamia and Oman, and its enigmatic script remains undeciphered. Factors contributing to its decline include climate change, population shifts, and resource overuse.

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3 views3 pages

Chapter 1

The Harappan Civilization, named after the site of Harappa, thrived from approximately 2600 to 1900 BCE and is characterized by advanced agricultural practices, urban planning, and social stratification evident in burial customs. The civilization engaged in extensive trade with regions such as Mesopotamia and Oman, and its enigmatic script remains undeciphered. Factors contributing to its decline include climate change, population shifts, and resource overuse.

Uploaded by

meenakshimorya496
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Chapter 1: Bricks, Beads and Bones

Q1. How did the Harappan Civilization get its name? What is its time
period?
Ans-

 Named after Harappa (first discovered site)


 Time period: c. 2600–1900 BCE
 Phases: Early, Mature, Late Harappan

Q2. What was the agricultural technology of the Harappans?


Ans-

 Used oxen for ploughing


 Evidence of plough marks (Kalibangan)
 Practiced double cropping (cross furrows)
 Used canals (Shortughai)
 Relied on wells and irrigation
 Built reservoirs (Dholavira)

Q3. What were the main features of Harappan houses?


Ans-

 Built around a central courtyard


 Courtyard used for daily activities
 Privacy maintained (no windows on street)
 Indirect entrance
 Had bathrooms and drainage system
 Some houses had stairs and upper floors
 Presence of wells inside houses

Q4. How do burials show social differences?


Ans-

 Variation in burial types (simple, brick-lined)


 Difference in number of grave goods
 Presence of:
o Common items (stone tools, pottery)
o Luxury items (faience, jewellery, copper mirror)
Q5. What strategies were used to obtain raw materials?
Ans-

 Settlements near resource areas:


o Nageshwar, Balakot (shell)
o Shortughai (lapis lazuli)
o Lothal (semi-precious stones, metal)
 Expeditions to distant regions:
o Rajasthan (copper)
o South India (gold)

Q6. Did the Harappans have foreign contacts?


Ans-

 Trade links with:


o Oman (Magan)
o Mesopotamia (Meluhha)
o Bahrain (Dilmun)
 Evidence:
o Seals, beads, weights
o Black jars found in Oman
o Boat/ship depictions
 Mesopotamian texts mention Meluhha

Q7. Why is the Harappan script called enigmatic?


Ans-

 Script is undeciphered
 Around 375–400 signs
 Written right to left
 Inscriptions are short
 Found on seals, pottery, tools

Q8. What are the views about Harappan rulers?


Ans-

 No clear evidence of a ruler


 Structures called “palace” are uncertain
 “Priest-king” statue identity unclear
 Different views:
o No ruler (equal society)
o Multiple rulers
o Single centralized authority (uniform planning)
Q9. What were the causes and signs of the decline of Harappan
Civilization?
Signs:

 Around 1800 BCE sites abandoned


 Shift of population to other regions
 Disappearance of seals, weights, beads
 Transition to rural life

Causes:

 Climate change
 Floods
 River shifts/drying
 Overuse of land/deforestation

Q10. Who was Cunningham and what was his limitation?


Ans-

 First Director-General of ASI


 Focused on later historical periods
 Used Chinese travellers’ accounts
 Could not understand Harappan antiquity
 Believed history began from Ganga Valley

Q11. What was the contribution of John Marshall?


Ans-

 Announced Indus Civilization in 1924


 Led excavations at Harappa & Mohenjodaro
 Introduced scientific archaeology
 Ignored stratigraphy
 Result: loss of historical context

Q12. Why is Mohenjodaro called a planned city?


Ans-

 Divided into: Citadel and Lower Town


 Both areas were fortified
 Built on raised platforms
 Grid pattern roads
 Standardized bricks (1:2:4)
 Advanced drainage system
 Houses had bathrooms connected to drains

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