Test: The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation - 1 - Class 6 MCQ

A civilisation is characterised by advanced urban planning, which includes town-planning, the growth of cities, and management systems such as water management and drainage systems. This is a key feature that distinguishes a civilisation from earlier, less complex societies.

The people of the Indus Valley civilization are called "Harappans" because the first city of this civilization to be dug up by archaeologists was Harappa, which is located in present-day Pakistan. This discovery took place between 1920 and 1921. As a result, the civilization came to be known as the Harappan civilization.

The decline of the Harappan civilization is mainly believed to have been caused by climatic changes that led to reduced rainfall and a drier environment, making agriculture difficult. Additionally, the Sarasvatī River, which was crucial for the civilization, dried up in its central area, leading to the abandonment of cities like Kalibangan and Banawali. These changes affected food supply and made it hard for the cities to survive, causing the civilization to decline.

A common feature of Harappan cities was that they were made of bricks, and the quality of these bricks was uniform, regardless of the size of the house. This means that whether it was a small house or a large building, the bricks used in construction were of the same high quality, showing the advanced planning and standardization in Harappan urban design.

The answer is (C). Archaeologists have suggested several interpretations regarding the purpose of the Great Bath in Mohenjo-daro:

• Public bath: Initially thought to be a communal bathing area.
• Royal bath: Considered a private bath for the royal family.
• Ritual tank: Proposed as a tank for religious ceremonies.

However, the idea of it being a public bath has been dismissed. This is because most houses in Mohenjo-daro had their own individual bathrooms.

Thus, the most likely purposes remaining are:

• Bathing for the elite or royal family.
• Use in religious or ceremonial rituals.

Harappan cities had separate bathing areas in homes as part of their advanced water management system. These bathing areas were connected to a larger network of drains that helped manage wastewater, ensuring cleanliness and hygiene. The Harappans placed a high value on cleanliness, and their cities had well-planned drainage systems to support this.