The Harappan Civilisation

The period when man used both stone and copper tools is known as:

1. Bronze Age Period
2. Chalcolithic Period
3. Mesopotamian Civilisation Period
4. Egyptian Period

Answer

Chalcolithic Period

Reason — The period in which human beings used both stone and copper tools is called the Chalcolithic Period.

Name the term archaeologists use for a group of objects distinctive in style, usually found together within a specific geographic area and period of time.

1. Civilisation
2. Culture
3. Period
4. History

Answer

Culture

Reason — Archaeologists use the term culture for a group of distinctive objects, such as seals, weights, stone blades and baked bricks, usually found together within a specific geographical area and period of time.

Which of the following insights about the Harappan Civilisation was provided by the Citadel?

1. There were public buildings for specific purposes.
2. There were ports for trade.
3. There was overseas trade.
4. The people were literate.

Answer

There were public buildings for specific purposes.

Reason — The Citadel contained important buildings such as the Great Bath, the granary, the assembly hall and workshops. These buildings show that public structures existed for specific purposes in Harappan cities.

Which of the following is NOT a feature of the Dockyard at Lothal?

1. World's oldest dockyard
2. Presence of mud brick platform
3. Surrounded by wall of baked bricks
4. Connected by channels to Gulf of Cambay.

Answer

Presence of mud brick platform

Reason — The dockyard at Lothal was one of the oldest dockyards, was surrounded by a massive wall of baked bricks, and was connected by channels to the Gulf of Cambay. A mud brick platform was connected with the Citadel, not with the Dockyard. Hence, it is not a feature of the Dockyard at Lothal.

What made the pool at the Great Bath watertight?

1. Burnt bricks
2. Mortar lined with bitumen and gypsum
3. Mud brick platforms
4. Both (1) and (2)

Answer

Both (1) and (2)

Reason — The Great Bath was made watertight by using burnt bricks and mortar lined with bitumen and gypsum.

Which of the following is a feature of the Great Bath?

1. Tank in a courtyard.
2. Tank surrounded by corridors.
3. Porticos and rooms.
4. All of the above.

Answer

All of the above

Reason — The Great Bath had a large rectangular tank in a courtyard, was surrounded by a corridor on all four sides, and had porticos and rooms around it. Hence, all the given options are its features.

Bronze statues were made by a special process called ............... .

1. moulded clay process
2. lost wax process
3. clay wax process
4. lost clay process

Answer

lost wax process

Reason — Bronze statues were made by using the special lost wax process. In this method, wax figures were covered with clay, the wax was melted, and molten metal was poured into the hollow mould.

Features of the Indus script include

1. Alphabetical order
2. Written from right to left
3. Written from left to right
4. All of the above.

Answer

Written from right to left

Reason — The Harappan script was not alphabetical, as it had too many signs. It was written from right to left, as shown by the spacing on some seals.

Seals were made of

1. Steatite
2. Terracotta
3. Agate
4. All of the above

Answer

All of the above

Reason — Harappan seals were made of terracotta, steatite, agate and similar materials.

Seals are not a source of information for

1. script
2. trade
3. beliefs
4. society

Answer

society

Reason — Harappan seals provide information about the script, trade, religion and beliefs of the people. Society is not a direct source of information from seals.

Bearded man, found in Mohenjo-daro is a statue of a meditative man wearing

1. an amulet
2. a shawl
3. a bangle
4. an elaborate headgear

Answer

a shawl

Reason — The Bearded Man from Mohenjo-daro is shown with a shawl worn over the left shoulder and half-closed eyes, as if in meditation.

The 'Dancing Girl' has which of the following features?

1. stone sculpture
2. heavily-bangled left arm
3. half-closed eyes
4. seated cross-legged.

Answer

heavily-bangled left arm

Reason — The Dancing Girl is a bronze statue from Mohenjo-daro. Her right arm rests on her hip and her left arm is heavily bangled.

(A) The period when man used both stone and copper tools is known as the Chalcolithic Period.

(R) The Harappan Civilisation emerged in the Chalcolithic Period.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false.
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Answer

(A) is true but (R) is false.

Explanation — The Harappan Civilisation, also known as the Indus Valley Civilisation, was a Bronze Age civilisation.

(A) The Harappan Civilisation is considered as the first civilisation that arose in the north-western regions of the Indian subcontinent.

(R) The Harappan Civilisation is also known as the Indus Valley Civilisation.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false.
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Answer

(A) and (R) are independent of each other

Explanation — The Harappan Civilisation is also known as the Indus Valley Civilisation because some important sites first excavated were located in the valley of the river Indus. This fact does not explain why it was the first civilisation in the north-western regions of the Indian subcontinent.

(A) The Harappan Civilisation is also known as the Harappan Culture.

(R) The term 'Culture' refers to a group of distinctive objects such as seals, weights, stone blades and baked bricks found within a specific geographical area and time period.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false.
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Answer

(R) is the reason for (A)

Explanation — Archaeologists use the term 'culture' for a group of distinctive objects found together within a particular geographical area and period. Seals, weights, stone blades and baked bricks are characteristic objects of the Harappans.

(A) One of the important sources of information about the Harappan Civilisation are the seals.

(R) The script used for the letters engraved on seals has not been deciphered.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false.
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Answer

(A) and (R) are independent of each other

Explanation — The seals provide information about Harappan trade, religion, beliefs and art. Their script has not yet been deciphered, but this does not explain why seals are an important source of information.

(A) The Great Bath has a large rectangular tank in a courtyard surrounded by a corridor on all four sides.

(R) The water for the Great Bath was provided by the Indus river.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false.
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Answer

(A) is true but (R) is false

Explanation — The water for the Great Bath was provided by a well in adjacent room.

(A) The Great Bath is one of the largest public buildings at Mohenjo-daro.

(R) The massive structure of the Great Bath indicates the existence of a ruling class.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false.
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Answer

(R) is the reason for (A).

Explanation — The massive structure of the Great Bath indicates the existence of a ruling class which could mobilise labour, collect taxes and build such a huge structure.

(A) About 2000 Harappan seals have been discovered.

(R) The seals were mainly used for religious purposes.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false.
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Answer

(A) is true but (R) is false

Explanation — The seals were mainly used by traders to stamp their goods.

(A) The Bearded Man is a stone sculpture discovered from Mohenjo-daro.

(R) According to some scholars it is a statue of a common man.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false.
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Answer

(A) is true but (R) is false.

Explanation — Some scholars believe that the Bearded Man might represent a figure of authority, possibly a priest or yogi. The sculpture is of high artistic value.

(A) Overseas trade was carried out at Lothal.

(R) Lothal was a port with a dockyard.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false.
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Answer

(R) is the reason for (A)

Explanation — Lothal was a port city with a dockyard and was used for carrying out overseas trade.

(A) The lower town had the residential buildings where people lived and worked.

(R) The residential buildings were built on a high mound to protect them from floods.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false.
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Answer

(A) is true but (R) is false

Explanation — The houses of ruling class were built on a high mound to protect them from floods.

Name two important sources of information about the Harappan Civilisation.

Answer

Two important sources of information about the Harappan Civilisation are:

1. The Great Bath, which indicates the high degree of perfection in the art of building.
2. The Citadel, which points to the planning and development of Harappan cities.

Name one important public building of Indus Valley Civilisation and its importance.

Answer

The Great Bath was an important public building of the Indus Valley Civilisation. It indicates the perfection achieved in the art of building, efficient planning of structures, and the social and religious development of the society.

Give any two characteristic features of the citadel.

Answer

Two important characteristic features of the citadel are:

1. Citadel was built on mud brick platform and hence it was a raised area.
2. Citadel had important buildings like the houses of ruling class, the great bath, the granary and the assembly hall.

How were seals used? What information do they give about Harappan trade?

Answer

The seals were used by the traders to stamp their goods. The goods were packed and tied and the knot was covered with wet clay and the seal was pressed on it.
Seals found in different regions show that Harappan trade had spread over a vast area.

Briefly describe granaries at Harappa.

Answer

The granaries at harappa were built on raised platforms to protect them from floods. There were two rows of six granaries each. To the south of granaries there were rows of circular floors which probably were working platforms for threshing. The granaries also had two-roomed barracks which possibly accommodated labourers. The granary had ventilation to prevent grains from becoming mildewed.

Briefly describe the statue of the Dancing Girl.

Answer

The bronze statue of the Dancing Girl was found at Mohenjo-daro. Her right arm rests on her hip, while her heavily-bangled left arm holds a small bowl against her left leg. It is a masterpiece of art and shows the vigour, variety and ingenuity of Harappan sculpture.

State two features of the internal trade in the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Answer

Two features of internal trade were:

1. Exchanges were carried out through the barter system.
2. Different towns specialised in particular products; for example, Lothal, Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were centres of metallurgy, while Balakot and Chanhudaro were centres of bangle-making.

State any two evidences that show the Harappans had trade relations with foreign countries.

Answer

Two evidences are:

1. Mesopotamian records from about 2300 BCE onwards refer to trade relations with Meluha, the ancient name for the Indus region.
2. Depictions of ships and boats on seals, and Mesopotamian references to Meluha as a land of seafarers, indicate overseas trade.

Name the four animals depicted on the Pashupati seal.

Answer

The four animals depicted on the Pashupati seal are an Elephant, a Tiger, a Buffalo and a Rhinoceros.

State any two causes that led to the decline of the Harappan Civilisation.

Answer

Two causes that led to the decline of the Harappan Civilisation were:

1. Floods and Earthquakes
2. Deforestation

What types of weights and measures did the Indus people use?

Answer

The Indus people used a set of cubical stone weights. The basic unit was 16 (equal to 14 grams). Larger weights were multiples of 16 like 32, 48, 64, 128 and so on. The smaller ones were all fractions of 16.

State any two ways to show the value of seals as a source of historical information.

Answer

Seals are valuable sources of historical information because:

1. Seals found in Mesopotamia show that the Harappans had contacts and trade relations with other civilisations.
2. The gods, symbols, animal figures and script on seals provide information about Harappan art, religion and beliefs.

In what two respects is Harappan Civilisation our greatest heritage?

Answer

Harappan Civilisation is our greatest heritage in the following respects:

1. Its methods of making baked pottery, bricks, beads, jewellery and textiles were adopted by later civilisations. Its cultivation of cotton was later adopted by the Egyptians.
2. Some religious practices, such as the worship of Pashupati Shiva, the Mother Goddess, sacred trees, animals, serpents and religious symbols, have continued to the present day.

How did Indus pottery reflect the potter's artistic skill?

Answer

Harappans produced characteristic pottery that was glossy and shining. Earthen vessels made on the potter's wheel were decorated with black geometrical designs. Large jars with narrow necks and red pots with black decoration show the potters' artistic skill.

Name and briefly describe the process by which sculpture in metal was done.

Answer

The sculpture in metal was done through the special lost wax process. In this process wax figures were covered with a coating of clay. Then the wax was melted by heating and the hollow mould thus created was filled with molten metal which took the original shape of the object.

Briefly describe the social classification of Harappans as pointed out by the citadel.

Answer

Harappan cities were divided into two parts: the raised citadel and the lower town. The citadel had the houses of the ruling class and important buildings such as the Great Bath, granaries, the assembly hall and workshops. The lower town had residential buildings where people lived and worked. This indicates political organisation and social classification.

Study the picture given below and answer the following questions:

(a) Identify the structure. List any two of its characteristic features.

(b) State the importance of this structure as a source of information about Harappan Civilisation.

(c) Name another architectural structure of this period. How does this structure show that Harappan Civilisation was highly developed?

Answer

(a) The structure is the Great Bath. Two of its characteristic features are:

1. It has a large rectangular tank in a courtyard surrounded by a corridor on all four sides.
2. Two flights of steps, one in the north and the other in the south, lead into the tank.

(b) The Great Bath is an important source of information about Harappan life and culture. Its design reflects efficient planning for water supply and drainage. Its massive structure also suggests the presence of a ruling class that could mobilise labour, collect taxes and construct large public buildings.

(c) The Citadel was another important architectural structure. It was a raised area on which important buildings, including the houses of the ruling class, the granary, the Great Bath and the assembly hall, were constructed. It shows social classification, urban planning and the advanced nature of Harappan Civilisation.

With reference to Harappan Culture, answer the following questions:

(a) Name any four cities of the Harappan Civilisation and a significant feature of each city.

(b) Why is the Harappan Civilisation so called? By which other name it is also known? Why?

(c) Why is our knowledge of the Harappan Civilisation mainly based on archaeological sources? State the significance of the Bearded Man and the Dancing Girl as a source of information about the Harappan Civilisation.

Answer

(a) Four important cities of the Harappan Civilisation and a significant feature of each are:

1. Harappa — It was situated on the left bank of the Ravi river and was an important centre of metallurgy.
2. Mohenjo-daro — It was situated on the right bank of the Indus river and is noted for its Great Bath and efficient drainage system.
3. Chanhudaro — Located about 130 km south of Mohenjo-daro, it was probably an industrial centre for bangle- and bead-making.
4. Lothal — Situated in Gujarat, it had a rectangular dockyard and was an important trading and manufacturing centre.

(b) It is called the Harappan Civilisation after Harappa, the first major site of this civilisation to be discovered in 1921. It is also known as the Indus Valley Civilisation because some important sites first excavated were located in the valley of the river Indus.

(c) Our knowledge is mainly based on archaeological sources because adequate written records are unavailable and the Harappan script has not yet been deciphered. Buildings, pottery, sculptures, seals and cemeteries therefore provide the evidence.

The Bearded Man is a stone sculpture from Mohenjo-daro. It is of high artistic value and shows the skill of Harappan artisans; some scholars consider it to be a yogi or priest. The bronze Dancing Girl is also a masterpiece of art. It shows the high development of sculpture and knowledge of the lost wax process.

With reference to the chief features of the Harappan Civilisation, answer the following:

(a) Any three characteristic features of town planning.

(b) Three special features of the houses of the people.

(c) Mention any two common elements between Mohenjo-daro and Harappa.

Answer

(a) Three characteristic features of Harappan town planning were:

1. Each city was divided into the raised citadel and the lower town.
2. House drains emptied waste water into the street drains.
3. Streets crossed the main road at right angles, dividing the city into square or rectangular blocks.

(b) Three special features of houses were:

1. They had deep foundations and were built according to a set plan on high mounds to protect them from floods.
2. They were made of brick and wood and had doors, windows and ventilators; doors and windows opened on side streets, not main roads.
3. Their size varied from single-room tenements to larger houses with courtyards, up to twelve rooms, private wells and toilets. They had covered drains connected to street drains.

(c) Two common elements between Mohenjo-daro and Harappa were:

1. Both were located on river banks — Mohenjo-daro on the right bank of the Indus and Harappa on the left bank of the Ravi.
2. Both measured around 5 km in circuit.

Study the picture of the seal given on the right and answer the following questions:

(a) Identify the seal in the given picture. What is depicted on this seal? What does it reveal about the beliefs of the Harappans?

(b) Of what material were these seals made? Why were the seals used?

(c) What do the seals reveal about the Harappans?

Answer

(a) The given picture shows the Pashupati seal.
The seal depicts Pashupati Mahadeva shown as a three-faced deity wearing a buffalo-horned head-dress, seated cross-legged on a throne and surrounded by an elephant, a tiger, a buffalo and a rhinoceros, with two deer at his feet.
The Pashupati seal reveals that Harappans believed in Shiva.

(b) These seal were made up of terracotta, steatite, agate etc.
These seals were used by traders to stamp their goods. After a bag of goods was tied, a layer of wet clay was applied on the knot, and the seal was pressed on it.

(c) The seals provide useful information about the script, trade, religion and beliefs of Harappans. It also shows the extent of trade in that region.

Look at the newspaper excerpt from Sir John Marshall's article about the discovery of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro and answer the questions that follow.

(a) Which 'Forgotten Age' is being talked about in the excerpt? Tiryns and Mycenae were long forgotten ancient cities, what are referred to as Indian "Tiryns and "Mycenae"?

(b) How was this 'Forgotten Age' in India revealed?

(c) Explain briefly the significance of this 'Forgotten Age' in terms of its unique features.

Answer

(a) The "Forgotten Age" refers to the Indus Valley Civilization, with Harappa and Mohenjo-daro being the Indian equivalents of the ancient cities of Tiryns and Mycenae.

(b) The Indus Valley Civilisation was revealed through the discoveries at Harappa and Mohenjo-daro by Archaeological Survey of India archaeologists Daya Ram Sahni and Rakhal Das Banerji. Sir John Marshall recognised the similarities in the finds and announced the discovery of the civilisation of the Indus Valley in The Illustrated London News.

(c) Its significance lies in its distinctive features:

1. Planned urban layout — Cities had grid-pattern roads, citadels and standardised bricks.
2. Efficient drainage — Covered house drains were connected to street drains.
3. Religious practices — Seals and figurines reflect the worship of deities, animals and nature.
4. Script and seals — Its undeciphered script and seals provide evidence of communication, religion and administration.
5. Art and craft — Fine seals, pottery, beads and sculptures show skilled craftsmanship.
6. Trade — Internal and overseas trade, including contact with Mesopotamia, reflects its economic development.

Suppose you visit the ruins of a deserted ancient civilisation. What evidences would you collect and how would you trace the development of civilisation?

Answer

I would collect artefacts such as seals, weights, pots, toys and tools. I would study buildings and their possible uses, as well as the materials used to construct houses. Engraved walls, scripts and pictures would also be examined. Together, these sources would provide information about the civilisation and help trace its development.

You went for an excursion to a site belonging to the Harappan Civilisation in India. From the ruins, how can you conclude the presence of granaries, the crops grown and the type of agriculture practised by them?

Answer

The arrangement of granaries in rows, their ventilation, and the raised platforms suggest planned grain storage. Rows of circular brick platforms south of the granaries were probably used for threshing. Wheat and barley grains found in their crevices reveal the crops grown. Two-roomed barracks indicate the presence of labourers, while Harappa's location near the Ravi suggests that food grains may have been brought there by boat.

Make a list of both similar and dissimilar features that existed between the Harappan-Civilisation and its contemporary Bronze Age Civilisations.

Answer

Similar features:

1. All these civilisations knew metallurgy.
2. They practised handicrafts and pottery-making.
3. Trade was common to all of them.

Dissimilar features:

1. Harappan town planning was especially distinctive.
2. Harappan cities had an excellent covered drainage system.
3. Brick-lined drains, brick-paved streets and manholes were features of Harappan cities.

Considering the town planning of the Harappans, state how the Harappans were ahead of time.

Answer

The following features show that the Harappans were ahead of their time:

1. Grid-pattern streets — Streets were laid out in a planned grid.
2. Efficient drainage system — Houses were connected to covered drains and street drains.
3. Zoned city structure — Cities had a citadel and a lower town, showing organised planning.
4. Standardised bricks — Uniform bricks indicate technological advancement.
5. Water management — Wells and reservoirs provided water for daily use.