Class 6 History Chapter 3 In The Earliest Cities Questions and Answers - FREE PDF Download
FAQs on NCERT Solutions for Class 6 History Chapter 3 In The Earliest Cities
1. How do the NCERT Solutions for Class 6 History Chapter 3 help in answering questions about the city planning of Harappa?
The NCERT Solutions guide you to structure your answer by focusing on two main parts of the city: the citadel (the western, smaller, higher part) and the lower town (the eastern, larger, lower part). You should also mention key features like the use of baked bricks, well-planned streets in a grid pattern, and a highly advanced covered drainage system, which demonstrates their sophisticated approach to urban planning.
2. What is the correct way to list the main occupations of Harappan people as per the Chapter 3 NCERT exercises?
To answer this correctly as per the CBSE pattern for the 2025-26 session, you should list the occupations clearly. The NCERT solutions highlight these main roles:
- Farming and Herding: Growing crops like wheat, barley, and cotton, and raising cattle, sheep, and goats.
- Craft Production: Making seals, pottery, tools from metal, and ornaments from beads and precious stones.
- Trade: Conducting long-distance trade to acquire raw materials and sell finished goods.
3. According to the NCERT Solutions, what were the key features of the Great Bath in Mohenjo-Daro?
When answering this question, the NCERT Solutions suggest focusing on these specific details for a complete answer:
- It was a large, rectangular tank located in the citadel area of Mohenjo-Daro.
- It was made watertight with bricks, plaster, and a layer of natural tar.
- There were steps leading down into it from two sides, and rooms on all sides.
- Water was likely brought in from a well and drained out after use, suggesting it was used for special religious baths.
4. Why is it important to describe the drainage system when answering questions about Harappan urbanisation in the NCERT exercises?
The drainage system is crucial because it serves as strong evidence of advanced civic planning. When answering, it's important to explain that these systems, with their gentle slopes and inspection holes, show that the Harappans prioritised public health and hygiene. This feature distinguishes them from many other ancient civilizations and is a key reason they are called the "earliest cities."
5. How should one structure an answer about the raw materials used in the Harappan civilization, based on NCERT Chapter 3?
For a well-structured answer, the NCERT Solutions guide you to categorise the materials and their sources. You should mention:
- Metals: Copper from present-day Rajasthan and Oman; Tin from Afghanistan and Iran; Gold from Karnataka.
- Precious Stones: Sourced from present-day Gujarat, Iran, and Afghanistan.
6. The NCERT Solutions explain various Harappan crafts. How do these crafts, like seal-making and pottery, indicate a complex society?
These crafts indicate a complex society because they point to specialisation of labour. In your answer, explain that not everyone was farming; there were skilled artisans who had the time and expertise to create these items. This implies a social structure where surplus food produced by farmers supported other professionals. Furthermore, the variety of materials used for crafts proves the existence of a robust trade network.
7. What key points from the NCERT Solutions should be included when describing Harappan seals?
A complete answer on Harappan seals, based on the NCERT textbook, should include the following points:
- Shape and Material: They were typically rectangular and made of a stone called steatite.
- Carvings: They featured intricate carvings of animals, such as the unicorn, bull, tiger, and elephant.
- Script: Most seals contained a line of signs, part of a script that remains undeciphered. They were likely used as stamps to mark goods for trade.
8. The chapter discusses the "mystery" of the end of the Harappan civilization. How do the NCERT Solutions guide students to frame an answer about these possible causes?
The NCERT Solutions encourage a balanced answer, as historians are not certain about the cause. To score well, you should mention a few possible theories instead of just one. Frame your answer by stating that the decline was likely due to a combination of factors, such as:
- Environmental Changes: Rivers drying up or major floods.
- Deforestation: Cutting down forests for fuel or farming, leading to climate change.
- External Factors: The arrival of new groups of people or a decline in trade.
9. How do you solve the NCERT question that asks to compare the lives of Harappan farmers with those from Chapter 2?
To solve this comparative question from the NCERT exercises, structure your answer with clear points of difference:
- Settlement: Harappan people lived in well-planned urban centres, whereas people in the previous era (as per Chapter 2) lived in smaller, less structured settlements or were nomadic.
- Occupation: While both farmed, Harappans supported a large non-farming population of craftspeople and traders. Early farmers were primarily focused on subsistence agriculture.
- Technology: Harappans used advanced tools, had knowledge of metallurgy (bronze), and built large-scale structures, which were absent in the earlier period.
10. Beyond listing artefacts, how can one use the NCERT Solutions to explain what these objects tell us about Harappan daily life and trade?
To provide a deeper explanation, go beyond a simple list and explain the inference from each artefact. For example, a terracotta plough toy shows that the plough was a known agricultural tool. The discovery of standardised weights and measures suggests a regulated system of trade. Finding Harappan seals in Mesopotamia proves they engaged in long-distance international trade. This method connects the object to its role in the economy and society.

















