All questions of The World of Growing Knowledge for Class 5 Exam

The correct answer is option 'D', the Indus Valley Civilization.

The Indus Valley Civilization was one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world, existing around 2500 BCE to 1900 BCE. It was located in what is now modern-day Pakistan and northwestern India. The civilization developed an advanced system of urban planning, with organized cities, standardized weights and measures, and a drainage system. They had a system of writing as well, with thousands of inscriptions found on seals, pottery, and other artifacts.

However, despite the extensive archaeological findings, the script of the Indus Valley Civilization has not been deciphered yet. This has posed a great challenge to researchers and scholars who have been trying to understand the language and communication system of this ancient civilization.

Here are some possible reasons why the Indus Valley script remains undeciphered:

1. Lack of Bilingual Texts: One of the main challenges in deciphering ancient scripts is the presence of bilingual texts, where the same text is written in two different languages. This allows researchers to compare the known language with the unknown one and decipher the script. Unfortunately, no such bilingual texts have been found in the Indus Valley Civilization.

2. Limited Number of Inscriptions: While thousands of inscriptions have been discovered, the number of unique symbols used in the script is relatively small. This makes it difficult to identify individual letters or words, as there are not enough examples to establish patterns or context.

3. Absence of a Rosetta Stone: The Rosetta Stone was instrumental in deciphering the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. It contained the same text in three scripts: Egyptian hieroglyphs, Demotic script, and ancient Greek. Unfortunately, no similar artifact has been found in the Indus Valley Civilization, which could provide a key to understanding the script.

4. Complexity of the Script: The Indus Valley script is considered to be quite complex, with over 400 different signs. This complexity adds to the difficulty in deciphering the script, as it may require a combination of phonetic, ideographic, and symbolic elements.

5. Lack of Decoding Methods: Despite numerous attempts over the years, researchers have not yet developed a reliable method to decipher the script. Various approaches have been proposed, including linguistic, statistical, and symbolic methods, but none have been successful in providing a definitive translation.

In conclusion, the script of the Indus Valley Civilization remains undeciphered due to the lack of bilingual texts, limited number of inscriptions, absence of a Rosetta Stone-like artifact, complexity of the script, and the lack of successful decoding methods. Further research and new discoveries may eventually lead to the decipherment of this ancient script, providing valuable insights into the language and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Introduction to Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is a flagship program launched by the Government of India in 2000. Its primary aim is to provide free and compulsory education to all children aged 6 to 14 years, thereby promoting universal elementary education.
Objectives of SSA
- Universal Access: Ensure that every child in the targeted age group has access to schools.
- Quality Education: Improve the quality of education by enhancing teaching standards and learning outcomes.
- Infrastructure Development: Construct new schools and improve existing facilities to create a conducive learning environment.
Key Features of SSA
- Free Education: Education is provided free of charge, including textbooks and uniforms.
- Community Involvement: Involve local communities in the management and monitoring of schools, making education a collective responsibility.
- Special Focus: Emphasize education for marginalized groups, including girls and children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Impact of SSA
- Increased Enrollment: The program has significantly increased the enrollment rates in primary schools across India.
- Reduction in Dropout Rates: Measures implemented under SSA have led to a decrease in dropout rates, ensuring that more children complete their education.
- Empowerment through Education: By focusing on education, SSA aims to empower children and equip them with skills for a better future.
In conclusion, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan plays a crucial role in ensuring that every child in India has the opportunity to receive an education, fulfilling the constitutional mandate of free and compulsory education for all.

Earliest Script in Ancient India
The earliest script in ancient India is Brahmi script.

Origin of Brahmi Script
- Brahmi script is believed to have originated in the 3rd century BCE.
- It is named after the Brahmi dynasty which ruled over ancient India during that time.

Characteristics of Brahmi Script
- Brahmi script is an abugida, where each character represents a consonant with an inherent vowel sound.
- It was used to write various Indian languages such as Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Pali.

Importance of Brahmi Script
- Brahmi script played a crucial role in the spread of Buddhism and Hinduism in ancient India.
- It is considered the foundation of many modern scripts used in India, such as Devanagari and Tamil scripts.

Conclusion
The Brahmi script holds great significance in the history of writing systems in India, marking the beginning of written communication in the region.

The earliest form of writing known as the pictorial language.

Pictorial language is a form of writing where pictures or symbols are used to convey meaning. It was used by ancient civilizations to record and communicate information. Here is an explanation of why the pictorial language is considered the earliest form of writing:

1. Definition of Pictorial Language:
- Pictorial language is a system of writing that uses pictures or symbols to represent words, ideas, or concepts.
- Each picture or symbol in the pictorial language represents a specific word or idea.

2. Examples of Pictorial Language:
- One of the earliest examples of pictorial language is the cave paintings found in Lascaux, France, dating back over 17,000 years.
- These cave paintings depict animals and human figures and are believed to have been used for communication or storytelling purposes.

3. Characteristics of Pictorial Language:
- Pictorial language uses visual representations to convey meaning.
- It relies on the use of symbols or pictures that have a direct connection to the objects or concepts they represent.
- Pictorial language does not use a standardized set of symbols or characters like alphabets or hieroglyphics.

4. Advantages and Limitations of Pictorial Language:
- Pictorial language allows for the representation of complex ideas and concepts through visual symbols.
- It can be easily understood by people from different cultures or languages.
- However, pictorial language has limitations in terms of expressing abstract or complex ideas that cannot be easily represented by pictures.

5. Development of Writing Systems:
- Over time, pictorial language evolved into more sophisticated writing systems like hieroglyphics and cuneiform.
- Hieroglyphics, used by the ancient Egyptians, used a combination of pictures and symbols to represent words and sounds.
- Cuneiform, used by ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia, was one of the earliest known writing systems that used wedge-shaped symbols pressed into clay tablets.

In conclusion, the earliest form of writing known as the pictorial language used pictures or symbols to represent words and ideas. It was a precursor to more complex writing systems like hieroglyphics and cuneiform. The development of writing systems marked an important milestone in human history, allowing for the preservation and communication of knowledge.

Introduction to Babylonian and Assyrian Writing Materials
The Babylonians and Assyrians, two prominent civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia, had unique methods for recording their numbers and scripts.
Use of Clay Tablets
- The primary material used for writing in these civilizations was clay.
- They created clay tablets, which were shaped from moist clay.
Writing Technique
- The writing was done using a stylus, typically made from a reed.
- The stylus was pressed into the soft clay to create cuneiform script, characterized by wedge-shaped marks.
Durability and Preservation
- Once the writing was completed, the tablets were often baked or sun-dried to harden them.
- This process made the tablets durable, allowing many to survive for thousands of years, providing us with valuable historical insights.
Comparison with Other Materials
- Unlike papyrus (b) and paper (c), which originated later and in different cultures, clay was a readily available resource in Mesopotamia.
- Sheepskin (d), while used in some cultures, was not a common writing material for the Babylonians and Assyrians.
Conclusion
In summary, the Babylonians and Assyrians utilized clay tablets for their writing, making it their preferred medium for documenting numbers and scripts, due to its availability and durability. This choice significantly influenced the preservation of their history and culture.