CBSE Class 6 Social Science Important Questions Chapter 6 - The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation

1. What is a civilisation?
Ans: A civilisation is an advanced stage of human society, with features like government, cities, writing, trade, crafts, and farming.

2. What was the first city of the Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation to be discovered?
Ans: Harappa was the first city of the Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation to be discovered in 1920-21.

3. Why is the Sarasvatī River important to this civilisation?
Ans: The Sarasvatī River, now dry, once flowed through the region and supported the growth of towns and cities.

4. What is the ‘Great Bath’ in Mohenjo-daro?
Ans: The 'Great Bath' in Mohenjo-daro is a large tank that may have been used for religious ceremonies or by the rulers.

5. How did the Harappans manage water?
Ans: The Harappans had advanced systems for managing water, with wells, reservoirs, and drainage systems to keep their cities clean.

6. What are some key features of a civilisation?
Ans: A civilisation usually includes:

• A government or administration

• Cities with proper planning

• Writing systems

• Crafts and trade

• Farming to support the population

• Cultural expressions like art and architecture.
  These features help a society develop and grow in a structured way.

7. How were Harappan cities designed?
Ans: Harappan cities were carefully designed with wide streets, planned drainage systems, and separate areas for the elite and common people. The buildings were made of bricks, and some cities had large public structures, like warehouses and baths.

8. What role did trade play in the Harappan civilisation?
Ans: Trade was important for the Harappans. They traded with other cities and civilisations, exporting goods like cotton, beads, and ornaments. They imported materials like copper and used land and sea routes for long-distance trade.

9. Why is the term 'Indus Valley Civilisation' not used as much now?
Ans: The term 'Indus Valley Civilisation' is not used much anymore because the civilisation extended beyond the Indus Valley into areas like the Sarasvatī River region.

10. What crops did the Harappans grow?
Ans: The Harappans grew a variety of crops, including wheat, barley, pulses, and cotton. They also practised farming near rivers, which provided water and fertile soil.

11. How did the Harappans manage water and cleanliness in their cities?
Ans: The Harappans had excellent water management systems. They built wells in cities like Mohenjo-daro and used ponds and reservoirs in other areas. For example, Dholavira had large reservoirs to store water. The cities had drainage systems, where water from homes was carried away through underground drains. This kept their cities clean and well-organised. The advanced water management shows how important cleanliness and order were to their civilisation.

12. How did the Harappans excel in crafts and trade?
Ans: The Harappans were skilled in making beads from materials like carnelian and crafting shell bangles. They worked with copper and bronze to make tools and ornaments. They traded goods with nearby cities and distant lands, using both land routes and sea routes. Lothal, in Gujarat, had a large dockyard for trade by sea. The Harappans used seals to mark their goods, showing their organised system of trade.

13. What was the purpose of the ‘Great Bath’ at Mohenjo-daro, and what are the theories about its use?
Ans: The 'Great Bath' at Mohenjo-daro was a large tank surrounded by small rooms. It had a system to drain and refill water. Some archaeologists think it was used for religious ceremonies, while others suggest it was for the royal family only. It is no longer believed to be a public bath, as most houses had private bathrooms. The exact purpose is still debated.

14. What led to the decline of the Harappan civilisation?
Ans: The decline of the Harappan civilisation around 1900 BCE was likely caused by environmental changes. One key factor was a climate change that reduced rainfall, making farming difficult. Another factor was the drying up of the Sarasvatī River, which caused cities along its banks to be abandoned. There is no evidence of warfare or invasion, so it appears the decline was peaceful but caused by natural changes.

15. How did the Harappan civilisation influence later Indian civilisations?
Ans: Even though the Harappan cities were abandoned, many aspects of their culture, like urban planning, water management, and craft techniques, survived. These ideas were passed on to later civilisations in India. Their advancements in trade, farming, and crafting helped shape the development of future societies. The Harappans also left behind cultural symbols, such as the swastika, which are still used today.

16. Why is urban planning an important feature of a civilisation?
Ans: Urban planning is important because it ensures that cities function smoothly. It includes designing roads, drainage systems, and housing in a way that supports daily life. In the Harappan civilisation, good planning helped manage water supply and cleanliness, which made their cities organised and healthy places to live.

17. How did the geography of the Indus-Sarasvatī region help the growth of civilisation?
Ans: The fertile plains of the Indus and Sarasvatī rivers provided ideal conditions for farming, which supported the growth of villages into towns and cities. The rivers also made trade easier and provided water for drinking and farming. The geography of the region helped the Harappans create a stable and prosperous civilisation.

18. Why do archaeologists think the Harappan civilisation was peaceful?
Ans: Archaeologists believe the Harappan civilisation was peaceful because there is no evidence of large-scale warfare or the presence of weapons. The cities were well-planned for trade and daily life, not for defence. The lack of fortifications designed for war and the absence of destruction from invasion suggest that the Harappans focused on peaceful activities like farming, trade, and crafts.

19. How do animal bones and food remains help us learn about Harappan diets?
Ans: The discovery of animal bones and food remains, like traces of spices in pots, helps us understand what the Harappans ate. These remains show that they ate a variety of foods, including meat, fish, dairy products, and plants. The presence of spices like turmeric and ginger suggests that their diet was both diverse and flavourful.

20. Why did the drying up of the Sarasvatī River affect the Harappan civilisation?
Ans: The Sarasvatī River was important for farming and water supply in many Harappan cities. When the river dried up, cities like Kalibangan had to be abandoned because they could no longer get enough water for farming and daily use. The loss of such an important resource contributed to the decline of the civilisation.

Extra Questions on CBSE Class 6 Social Science Chapter 6 - the Beginnings of Indian Civilisation

1. What materials did the Harappans use to build their cities?
Ans: The Harappans used baked bricks, stones, and mud to build their cities. In cities like Dholavira, stones were used for the foundations of buildings.

2. How did the Harappans keep their cities clean?
Ans: The Harappans had underground drainage systems that carried waste water away from homes and streets, keeping their cities clean and well-organised.

3. What were Harappan seals used for?
Ans: Harappan seals, often made of steatite, were likely used to mark goods and identify traders. The seals had animal figures and writing, which suggest they were important in trade.

4. What did Harappans use to make jewellery?
Ans: Harappans made jewellery from materials like carnelian, shells, and metals like copper and bronze. They crafted beads and bangles, using advanced techniques for drilling and shaping.

5. How do we know the Harappans practised agriculture?
Ans: Archaeologists have found remains of crops like wheat, barley, and cotton, as well as farming tools like ploughs. These discoveries show that agriculture was a key part of Harappan life.

6. Write a brief report (150 to 200 words) summing up some of the achievements of the Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation.

Ans: The Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation, also known as the Harappan Civilisation, made remarkable achievements in urban planning, trade, and craftsmanship. One of the most notable aspects was their well-planned cities, with advanced drainage systems, grid-like streets, and uniform building structures. This reflects a high level of engineering and administrative skills. The use of baked bricks for construction, even for large structures like granaries and citadels, showcases their architectural expertise.

Trade was another major achievement, as the civilisation had a vast trade network that extended to regions like Mesopotamia. Seals, weights, and measures used in trade indicate that the Harappans had a standardised system for transactions. Additionally, their craftsmanship in making pottery, jewellery, and tools from materials like bronze and stone shows a deep understanding of metalworking and artistry.

The Harappans also developed a unique script, though it remains undeciphered. This script, along with their religious figurines, suggests a complex social and cultural system. Their achievements in urban development, trade, and craft set them apart as one of the earliest advanced civilisations in human history.

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