WBBSE Solutions For Class 6 History Chapter 3 Ancient History Of The Indian Subcontinent Topic B Harappan Civilisation

WBBSE Solutions For Class 6 History Chapter 3 Ancient History Of The Indian Subcontinent Topic B Harappan Civilisation Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Describe the extent of the Harappan civilisation.
Answer:

The extent of the Harappan civilisation:

It is generally believed that Manda in Jammu formed the northern frontier of the Harappan civilisation. But archaeologists have found many traces of this civilisation further north in Afghanistan.

In the south traces of this civilisation have been found in Gujarat and Kutch. Further south in the Daimabad region of Maharashtra where some traces of this civilisation have been found.

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In the west, the civilisation spread up to Baluchistan in present Pakistan. In the east traces of this civilisation have been found till Alamgirpur.

This place is located to the east of Delhi. The civilisation spreads over approximately 7,00,000 square km of land.

WBBSE Class 6 Harappan Civilisation Notes

Question 2. What were the salient features of the Harappan civilisation?
Answer:

The salient features of the Harappan civilisation:

The Harappan civilisation is one of the earliest river valley civilisations. It has some distinct features.

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Salient features of Harappan Civilisation

1. Proto-historic civilisation:

The Harappans knew how to write but their script has not yet been deciphered. So it belongs to the proto-historic period.

2. Chalcolithic civilisation:

Since the Harappans used both stone and metals like copper and bronze, their civilisation was chalcolithic.

3. First urbanisation:

The Harappan cities were the first cities of the Indian subcontinent. This civilisation is referred to as the first phase of urbanisation.

4. Developed town planning:

The Harappan towns were planned with a grid of roads and a highly developed sewage system. Most of the cities contained a citadel.

5. Matriarchal society:

The Harappan society was probably matriarchal because a number of female figurines have been unearthed which indicates that the worship of female power was quite popular.

Question 3. Describe the granary which has been found in Harappa.
Answer:

The granary which has been found in Harappa:

A big granary was discovered at Harappa.

1. Location:

The granary was located near the old ravine of the Ravi river.

2. Structure:

There were two rows of platforms inside the granary. There was a big platform in the southern part and it contained some pits.

3. Features:

1. There were ventilators in the granary to keep the crops fresh with the help of smooth air circulation.
2. There were also provisions for grinding and threshing the grains.
3. The granary had twelve huge shelves. These shelves were arranged in two rows.
4. Adjacent to the granary two rows of small houses are found. Most probably people who used to work at the granary stayed there.

Important Definitions Related to Harappan Culture

Question 4. Give an account of the ‘Great Bath’ at Mohenjodaro.
Answer:

The ‘Great Bath’ at Mohenjodaro:

The remains of a big public bath called the ‘Great Bath’ has been found in the citadel area of Mohenjodaro. It was probably used for bathing purposes. Most probably this Great Bath was used by the city’s distinguished elites.

Features of the ‘Great Bath

1. The Great Bath was 180 ft. long and 108 ft. wide. It was surrounded by 8ft. high brick wall.
2. It was built of kiln-burnt bricks.
3. Excess water could be discharged from the tank. There was also provision for cleaning this water tank.
4. There were some steps leading to the water tank.
5. Remains of some small rooms have been found near the water tank.

Question 5. Mention the characteristics of town planning of the Harappan civilisation.
Answer:

The characteristics of town planning of the Harappan civilisation:

The town planning of the Harappan civilisation was a remarkable one.

The important features of town planning were

1. Residential area:

The residential area was divided into two zones-the citadels and the lower town. The elevated place in the city was called the citadel. Important buildings like the Great Bath and the granary were built here. The residential area for the commoners was located in the lower part of the town.

2. Houses:

Houses were in the lower town which were of different sizes. There were a number of rooms in each house but such residential houses had only one kitchen.

3. Drainage system:

There was a perfect drainage system. The big drains were all covered. From each house, smaller drains were connected to the bigger drains.

There was a provision of the drainage of water through a permanent sewerage system. Such a water sewerage system gives evidence of a progressive city administration.

4. Toilets and wells:

There were bathing rooms and toilets in each house. Many wells have also been found.

5. Roads:

Roads were wide and properly constructed which generally ran from north to south. The narrower streets generally ran form east to west. The roads were crisscrossed. The city planning seems to have followed a grid pattern.

Common Questions About Life in Harappa

Question 6. Give an account of the Harappan trade and commerce.
Answer:

The Harappan trade and commerce:

The people of Harappa greatly depended on trade and commerce. They carried on both internal and external trade.

1. Internal trade:

The exchange of goods was done through different centres like Lothal, Ropar and Kotdiji.

2. External trade:

Harappa relations with Mesopotamia, Persia, Iran, and Turkmenistan.

3. Export-Import:

The Harappans imported gold, silver, copper, precious stones, combs made of ivory, etc. Most probably donkeys and camels were also imported from. outside the Indian subcontinent. They exported millet, flour, oil, woollen materials and clothes.

4. Trades routes:

The Harappans carried on trade and commerce through both water routes and land routes. Ships were used as water transport and wheeled carts were used as land transport. Import-export with Iran and Turkmenistan took place via land routes.

Class 6 History WBBSE

Question 7. Give an idea of the religious life of the Harappans.
Answer:

An idea of the religious life of the Harappans:

No temples have been found in the ruins of the Indus Valley civilisation but statues of gods and mostly goddesses have been found.

The religious life of the Harappans

1. Worship of goddesses:

Many female figurines found in Harappa indicate that female goddesses were mostly worshipped.

2. Pashupati Siva:

People of Harappan civilisation also worshipped a three-faced god resembling Siva or Pashupati. This God is surrounded by an elephant, a tiger, and a rhinoceros and has a buffalo below his throne.

3. Worship of animals and plants:

Different kinds of animals and plants were worshipped by the people. The worship of a mythical single-horned animal was popular. They worshipped animals like bulls. There were some trees which they treated as sacred such as the pipal tree.

4. Great Bath:

The Great Bath was used by the public during religious or ceremonial rituals.

5. Belief in the afterlife:

Graves found in different parts of Harappa indicate that they believed in an afterlife. Ornaments and pottery were placed inside the burial chamber.

Question 8. Discuss the historical importance of Harappan seals.
Answer:

The historical importance of Harappan seals:

The Harappan seals contained scripts and symbols inscribed on them. They were made of soft stone and most of them carried a reverse design, usually of some animal along with a short inscription.

They were coated with some chemical power and heated after being pressed on soft mud. Some seals contain the impression of a one-horned animal. There are also impressions of a one-horned man, ox, trees and geometric designs.

Some seals were discovered in Mesopotamia which indicates that the Harappans carried on external trade. A seal was discovered in Mohenjodaro which has the image of a man seated in a yogic posture surrounded by wild animals.

At one point it was considered to be an ancient form of Pashupati Shiva.

Practice Questions on Harappan Achievements

Question 9. What were the causes of the decline of the Harappan civilisation?
Answer:

The causes of the decline of the Harappan civilisation:

The Harappan civilisation began to decline after 1750 BC. Many factors were responsible for the decline of this civilisation.

1. Flood:

The Flood of the river Indus was one of the causes of the decline of the Indus Valley civilisation.

2. Felling of trees:

Another reason was the widespread felling of trees for fuel in kilns. As a result, there was a reduction in rainfall. From 2200 BC onwards there was lesser rainfall. The climate became dry which adversely affected agriculture.

3. Slump in trade and commerce:

After 1900 BC trade and commerce slowed down. This may have affected Harappan’s economy.

4. Weak political system:

Simultaneously the Harappan political system became weak. These problems could not be solved by the people of Harappan civilisation and the civilisation declined.

WBBSE Class 6 History Chapter 3 Ancient History Of The Indian Subcontinent Topic B Harappan Civilisation Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. What did Cunningham find when he visited Harappa?
Answer:

In 1850 when Cunningham first visited Harappa he discovered some relics. In 1872 when Cunningham revisited Harappa he found that the bricks of the region were being used for making railway tracks in the region.

He also found some ancient potteries and a few seals on which an unknown script was engraved.

Question 2. Write a short note on the potteries found from the different sites in Harappa.
Answer:

The potteries found from the different sites in Harappa:

In different sites of Harappa ceramic potteries have been found. The ordinary potteries were meant for regular use. Some potteries were hardened by burning on fire.

Sometimes red polish was applied and designs were drawn on them. Such earthenwares were called red-black earthenwares. These were comparatively lighter as well as more fragile than the others.

Question 3. What is a citadel?
Answer:

Citadel:

In every Harappan city there was an elevated place, which archaeologists called a citadel. The elevated part used to be in the east or south-eastern part of the city. It stood on a rectangular podium.

Conceptual Questions on Decline of Harappan Civilisation

Important buildings were constructed on elevated regions. These buildings were not dwelling places of common people. The citadel area was surrounded by a high fence.

Question 4. Write a note on Lothal.
Answer:

Lothal:

‘Lothal’ means ‘place of the dead’. Lothal was a port city of the Harappa. It was situated in Gujarat and possessed a dockyard and a burial ground.

We can guess from one of the seals that Lothal had trade relations with the Persian Gulf region and that overseas trade was carried on through this port. Some statues, toys and ornaments have been found here.

Question 5. What do you know about the script used by the Harappans?
Answer:

The script used by the Harappans:

The Harappans used a script which contained several symbols. There were no alphabets and the script was written from right to left. The script has not yet been deciphered but it is conjectured that the small symbols implied numbers.

The script was found on utensils, seals and copper plates. A script written on a ‘signboard’ has been discovered at Dholavira.

Question 6. What do you know about the funeral rites of the Harappans?
Answer:

The funeral rites of the Harappans:

The excavations carried out at different sites show that the Harappans perform funeral rites of dead people. They used to bury dead bodies.

The bodies were placed in the graves with their heads facing north. Inside the burial chamber, all the belongings of the dead person such as ornaments and pottery were placed.

Question 7. What are the sources of information for the Harappan civilisation?
Answer:

The sources of information for the Harappan civilisation:

We have no written records about the Harappan civilisation. Archaeology is the only source of information. Archaeological finds like remains of houses, utensils, weapons, toys, ornaments and terracotta seals are our sources of information for the Harappan civilisation.

Question 8. What did the archaeologists mean by ‘red-black earthenwares’?
Answer:

The archaeologists mean by ‘red-black earthenwares’

Most of the pottery of the Harappan civilisation were ordinary. They were reddish in colour because they were burnt. On some pottery, the red polish was applied and bright designs were drawn on them with black colour. Archaeologists call these earthenwares as ‘red-black earthenwares’.

Question 9. Mention two important sites of the Harappan civilisation.
Answer:

Two important sites of the Harappan civilisation were Lothal and Kalibangan.

Question 10. What were the food crops produced in the Harappan civilisation?
Answer:

The food crops produced in the Harappan civilisation:

The food crops produced in the Harappan civilisation were wheat, barley and other cereals, various kinds of lentils, mustard and paddy.

Question 11. What do you know about the sculpture of the Harappan civilisation?
Answer:

The sculpture of the Harappan civilisation:

Archaeologists have specimens of stone, terracotta and metal sculptures in the Harappan civilisation. The bronze figure of a girl is a masterpiece of Harappan art.

Some animal figures made of bronze have also been found in the relics of the Harappan civilisation.

Real-Life Scenarios Involving Harappan Urban Planning

Question 12. How will you prove that the Harappans were skilled weavers?
Answer:

The Harappans were skilled weavers. Evidence of weaving old clothes have been found in Mahenjodaro. Archaeologists have found the art of making different weaving patterns on clothes.

The male figure found in the remains of Mohenjodaro bears evidence to this art.

Question 13. What kind of relationship existed between civilisation and Harappan Mesopotamia?
Answer:

23 seals of the Harappan civilisation have been found in Mesopotamia. It implies that a flourishing trade existed between the Harappan civilisation and Mesopotamia. Merchants from Harappa had probably set up colonies in Mesopotamia.

One of the seals from Mesopotamia carries some text on it. It has been evident that Mesopotamia and Harappan civilisations had maritime trade links.

Question 14. What were the two occupations of the people of Harappan civilisation?
Answer:

The two occupations of the people of Harappan civilisation:

The two main occupations of the people of the Harappan civilisation were agriculture and the domestication of animals. They cultivated wheat, rice, barley and cotton. Animals like bulls, cows, dogs, buffalo, sheep, goats, camels, etc. were domesticated.

Question 15. Describe the male figure excavated in Mohenjodaro.
Answer:

The male figure excavated in Mohenjodaro:

Archaeologists have excavated a male figure in Mohenjodaro. He is bearded with his hair combed. His eyes are almost closed. He has a stone band tied on his forehand. A similar band is found on his right arm. A robe is placed over his left shoulder.

Question 16. Why was Lothal famous?
Answer:

Lothal famous:

Lothal, the port city of the Harappan civilisation, was situated on the banks of river Bhogavo in Gujarat. The dockyard of Lothal was famous. Here ships were kept, manufactured and repaired. Lothal had a trade relationship with the Persian Gulf region.

Question 17. How many symbols are there in the Harappan script? How was the script written?
Answer:

There are 375 to 400 basic symbols in the Harappan script. The script is symbolic. The script was written from right to left.

WBBSE Class 6 History

Question 18. Which civilisation is the oldest of Chalcolithic civilisations? What is the overall time frame of the civilisation?
Answer:

1. The oldest of Chalcolithic civilisations is the Harappan civilisation.
2. The overall time frame of the Harappan civilisation is usually considered to be between 3000 and 1500 BC.

Question 19. Write a note on the dress of the Harappan people.
Answer:

The dress of the Harappan people:

Archaeologists have found many figurines from the Harappan civilisation which give an idea of the dress, jewellery and overall fashion of the Harappan people. Cotton and silk clothes were used. The jewellery were made of gold, silver, copper and ebony.

Question 20. Mention two reasons of the fall of the Harappan civilisation.
Answer:

Two reasons of the fall of the Harappan civilisation were:

1. The civilisation seems to have been affected Copper-bronze Age. They knew the use of by the flood of the river Indus.
2. Widespread cutting of trees for fuel resulted in a drier climate which badly affected the civilisation.

Question 21. What kind of land and water transport were used by the Harappans?
Answer:

The Harappans used various modes of transport on land as well as in water. Carts drawn by oxen and bullocks plied on the roads. Donkeys and camels were also used to carry loads.

Boats with sails were used as a means of water transport. Travelling by waterway was much cheaper than travelling on land.

Question 22. Mention some important sites of Harappan civilisation.
Answer:

The two main sites. of Harappan Civilisation were Harappa and Mohenjodaro. Some other sites were Kuntasi, Chanhudaro, Banwali, Lothal, Surakotada, Dholavira, Kalibangan, Rupar and Kotdiji.

Traces of Harappan civilisation have also been found in Manda in Jammu, Afghanistan, Daimabad of Maharashtra, Sutkagen-dor and Alamgirpur.

Question 23. Did the Harappans know the use of iron? How do you know?
Answer:

The Harappan civilisation grew up in the Copper-bronze age. They knew the use of metals but did not know the use of iron. The craftsmen used clay, stone and metals like copper, brass and bronze.

Knives, axes and scrapers made of copper have been excavated. Utensils were also made of stone and metals.

Question 24. What do you mean by ‘first urbanisation’?
Answer:

‘First urbanisation’:

In the whole of the Indian subcontinent it was in the Harappan civilisation that cities had first developed. This phenomenon is known as the ‘first urbanisation’.

WBBSE Chapter 3 Ancient History Of The Indian Subcontinent Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Where did Charles Masson visit in 1826?
Answer: Charles. Masson visited the Sahiwal district of Punjab in 1826 AD.

Question 2. When were the ancient sites of Harappa and Mohenjodaro discovered?
Answer: The ancient sites of Harappa and Mohenjodaro were discovered in 1921 And 1922 respectively.

Question 3. Why is the Indus Valley civilisation also known as the Harappan civilisation?
Answer: The Indus Valley Civilisation is also known as the Harappan civilisation because Harappa was the first site where this civilisation was first discovered.

Question 4. Which is the largest of all the archaeological sites of the Indus Valley civilisation?
Answer: Harappa is the largest of all the archaeological sites of the Indus Valley civilisation.

Question 5. What is the importance of the Sahiwal district of the province of Punjab according to Charles Masson?
Answer: According to Charles Masson in the Sahiwal district of the province of Punjab the battle between Alexander and Porus took place in 4th century BC.

Question 6. Who was Alexander Cunningham?
Answer: Alexander Cunningham was the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Question 7. Name the archaeologist who excavated the Harappan civilisation and when?
Answer: Archaeologist Dayaram Sahni excavated the Harappan civilisation in 1920.

Question 8. Who excavated Mohenjodaro and when?
Answer: Archaeologist Rakhaldas Bandopadhyay excavated Mohenjodaro in 1921.

Question 9. Who brought out reports about Harappa and Mohenjodaro and when?
Answer: John Marshall brought out reports about Harappa and Mohenjodaro in 1924.

Question 10. Name the animal which was unknown to the Harappans.
Answer: The horse was unknown to the Harappans.

Question 11. Why is the Harappan civilisation called a proto-historic civilisation?
Answer: The Harappan civilisation is called a proto-historic civilisation because the people of Harappa knew how to write but their script has not yet been deciphered.

Question 12. What was the elevated place in the Harappan cities called?
Answer: The elevated place in the Harappan cities was called the ‘citadel’.

Question 13. Mention two aspects of Harappan civilisation which we come to know from the Harappan seals.
Answer: From the Harappan seals we come to know about the economy and religious beliefs of the people.

Question 14. What type of bricks were used for building important structures?
Answer: Oven-baked bricks were used for building important structures.

Question 15. What is the only source of information for the Harappan civilisation?
Answer: Archaeology is the only source of information for the Harappan civilisation.

Question 16. Mention one object which gives information about the art of the Harappan civilisation.
Answer: The bronze figure of a girl excavated in Mohenjodaro gives information about the art of the Harappan civilisation.

Question 17. To which age of civilisation belonged the Harappan civilisation?
Answer: The Harappan civilisation belonged to the Chalcolithic Age.

Question 18. Where have been the remains of the oldest port of the Harappan civilisation been found?
Answer: The oldest part of the Harappan civilisation has been found in Lothal.

WBBSE Chapter 3 Ancient History Of The Indian Subcontinent Topic B Harappan Civilisation Fill In The Blanks

Question 1. The Harappan civilisation extended over an area of about _______ (5/7/9) lakh sq. km.
Answer: 7

Question 2. The rise of cities in the Harappan civilisation is referred to as the _________ (first/second third) urbanisation.
Answer: First

Question 3. The elevated part of the Harappan cities was called __________ (Citadel/Ziggurat/Kuntashi).
Answer: Citadel

Question 4. A female statue made of __________ (gold/copper/bronze) was found in the ruins of the Harappan civilisation.
Answer: Bronze

Question 5. __________ (13/23/33) Harappan seals were found in Mesopotamia.
Answer: 23

Question 6. The Harappan civilisation began to decline after ________ (1250 BC/1500 BC/1750 BC).
Answer: 1750 BC

WBBSE Class 6 History  Chapter 3 Ancient History Of The Indian Subcontinent True Or False

Question 1. The other name of the Indus Valley civilisation is the Harappan civilisation.
Answer: True

Question 2. The Harappan civilisation belonged to the Copper-bronze Age.
Answer: True

Question 3. The Harappan civilisation flourished from 3000 BC to 1500 BC approximately.
Answer: True

Question 4. The Harappan civilisation extended over an area of 9 lakh square km.
Answer: False

Question 5. The urban civilisation of Harappa represents the first phase of urbanisation in India.
Answer: True

Question 6. The elevated areas of the Harappan cities were called citadels.
Answer: True