Class 12 History Chapter 1 Bricks Beads and Bones: NCERT Solutions

Short Questions (100-150 Words)

1. List the items of food available to people in Harappan cities. Identify the groups who would have provided these.
People in Harappan cities had a variety of food items including plant products such as wheat, barley, lentils, chickpeas, sesame, and millets (especially in Gujarat). Animal products included meat from cattle, sheep, goat, buffalo, and pig. Bones of wild species like boar, deer, and gharial, as well as fish and fowl, have also been found.

These food items were provided by farmers, who cultivated grains and pulses, animal herders who supplied domesticated animal products, and possibly by hunters and fishing communities who contributed wild animals, fish, and birds to the Harappan diet.

2. How do archaeologists trace socio-economic differences in Harappan society? What are the differences that they notice?
Archaeologists trace socio-economic differences by studying burial practices and artefacts. Differences in burial pits, such as the presence of goods like pottery, ornaments, and copper mirrors in some graves, suggest social distinctions among individuals.

Artefacts are classified as utilitarian—made of common materials and used daily—and luxuries, which are rare, expensive, or require complex technology (like faience pots or gold ornaments). Luxury items are mostly found in large settlements like Harappa and Mohenjodaro, while utilitarian items are found more widely, indicating economic differences in society.

3. Would you agree that the drainage system in Harappan cities indicates town planning? Give reasons for your answer.
Yes, the drainage system in Harappan cities reflects advanced town planning. Streets and roads were laid out in a grid-like pattern, intersecting at right angles. Drains were constructed before houses, and every house was connected to street drains.

Drains had covered channels with sumps for cleaning, and there were separate waste collection points. The use of standardized bricks and mortar, the integration of wells and bathrooms, and the organized layout all indicate a high degree of organization and careful civic planning in these urban settlements.

4. List the materials used to make beads in the Harappan civilisation. Describe the process by which any one kind of bead was made.
Materials used for bead-making included stones such as carnelian, jasper, crystal, quartz, and steatite; metals like copper, bronze, and gold; and other substances like shell, faience, and terracotta.

For example, carnelian beads were made by firing the yellowish raw material to obtain a red color. The nodules were chipped into rough shapes, further flaked and shaped, then ground and polished. Finally, the beads were drilled, sometimes using specialized tools.

5. 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?
In Fig. 1.30, a Harappan burial is shown. The body is placed in a pit, often in a north-south direction, lying on its back. Objects such as pottery and ornaments can be seen placed near the skeleton.

Sometimes, artefacts like bangles or jewelry are found on the body, which may help indicate the sex. For instance, the presence of feminine ornaments can suggest that the skeleton was female.

Essay Questions (about 500 words)

6. Describe some of the distinctive features of Mohenjodaro.
Mohenjodaro is a prime example of Harappan urban planning. The city is divided into two main sections: the Citadel, which was elevated and possibly used for important structures, and the Lower Town, which served as the residential area. Both sections were fortified.

Streets followed a grid pattern, intersecting at right angles, and houses were constructed using standardized, baked bricks. The drainage system was elaborate—houses had bathrooms with drains that connected to covered street drains, which included sumps for cleaning.

Over 700 wells were found throughout the city. Significant public buildings, such as the warehouse and the Great Bath—a large, watertight tank likely used for ritual bathing—were located on the Citadel. Granaries were also present. Many buildings were constructed on brick platforms to protect against floods.

Residences typically centered around courtyards with rooms on all sides. Many houses had two storeys. The careful and uniform construction, provision of basic amenities, and the organization of public spaces make Mohenjodaro unique among ancient cities.

7. List the raw materials required for craft production in the Harappan civilisation and discuss how these might have been obtained.
The main raw materials for Harappan crafts included locally available clay and many non-local materials. Important stones were carnelian from Bharuch, lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, and steatite from Rajasthan and Gujarat. Copper was sourced from Khetri (Rajasthan) and Oman, while gold came from South India and shells from coastal sites. Timber and wood were also important.

The Harappans established settlements near sources of valuable raw materials, such as Nageshwar and Balakot for shell, and Shortughai for lapis lazuli. Expeditions to distant regions were organized to acquire these resources. Trade links were developed, for example, with Oman for copper and with Bahrain and Mesopotamia for other goods.

Riverine, land, and coastal routes were likely used for transport, as suggested by toy models of bullock carts and boats depicted on seals. Archaeological finds like waste, unfinished objects, and tools at various sites point to local production and a complex procurement network for raw materials.

8. Discuss how archaeologists reconstruct the past.
Archaeologists reconstruct the past through the study of material remains, such as artifacts, structures, bones, and plant remains, which are uncovered during systematic excavations. They analyze layers (stratigraphy) to establish chronology.

Artifacts are classified according to material and function. Scientific methods like carbon dating, archaeobotany (study of plant remains), and archaeozoology (study of animal bones) help in reconstructing dietary patterns, environment, and domestication processes.

Sites are interpreted by linking archaeological discoveries such as seals, beads, and tools to the broader cultural context. Comparisons with findings from other regions (like Mesopotamia) provide additional historical context. When available, written sources are correlated with archaeological evidence, though the Harappan script remains undeciphered.

The context of finds, such as the presence of objects in graves or homes, helps infer social structure and belief systems. New scientific techniques, such as archaeogenetics, also aid in tracing population movements and cultural continuity. Overall, archaeology combines scientific observation, contextual analysis, and careful interpretation to reconstruct the past.

9. Discuss the functions that may have been performed by rulers in Harappan society.
No explicit evidence of kings or palaces has been found in Harappan cities. However, the uniformity in urban planning, standardized bricks and weights, and the scale of public works suggest the presence of some authority.

Possible functions of rulers or a central authority could have included city planning, mobilization and organization of labor for large construction projects, and maintenance of drainage and sanitation systems.

They may have regulated trade and manufacturing with the use of standardized weights and seals, enforced law and order, managed resources, and possibly supervised religious or ritual activities, as suggested by structures like the Great Bath. Strategic establishment of settlements for raw material procurement further indicates planned decision-making possibly overseen by governing elites, even if not evident as kingship in archaeological records.

Map Work

10. On Map 1, use a pencil to circle sites where evidence of agriculture has been recovered. Mark an X against sites where there is evidence of craft production and R against sites where raw materials were found. Answer:

(i) Agricultural sites: Evidence of agriculture has been found at Harappa, Banawali, Kalibangan, Mohenjodaro, and Dholavira (Gujarat).

(ii) Craft production sites: Chanhudaro, Nageshwar, and Balakot are known for craft production activities.

(iii) Raw material sites: Sources of raw materials were identified at Nageshwar, Balakot, and Khetri.

Project (anyone)

11. Find out if there are any museums in your town. Visit one of them and write a report on any ten items, describing how old they are, where they were found, and why you think they are on display.

12. Collect illustrations of ten things made of stone, metal and clay produced and used at present. Compare these with the pictures of the Harappan civilisation in this chapter, and discuss the similarities and differences that you find.

Key Concepts of Bricks, Beads and Bones (Harappan Civilisation)

Mastering NCERT Class 12 History Chapter 1 Bricks Beads And Bones is vital for understanding ancient urban life. The chapter covers advanced town planning, trade, social structure, and technological skills of the Harappan Civilisation. Clear concepts help students in board exams and various competitive tests.

Focus on unique features like the Citadel, Great Bath, drainage system, and craft specialisation found in this Indus Valley chapter. By revising these key aspects, students strengthen their knowledge for questions on urban planning and early civilizations.

Practise all NCERT textbook questions and review short and essay-type answers for a well-rounded preparation. Regular revision helps you build confidence, remember facts, and score higher in the 2025-26 History exam.