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Theme 1 - Bricks, Beads and Bones
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Flashcards: Theme 1 - Bricks, Beads and Bones

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1. What are the main differences between Harappan civilization and Vedic civilization?
Ans. The Harappan civilization (3300-1300 BCE) was urban, planned, and script-based, while the Vedic civilization (1500-500 BCE) was pastoral and oral. Harappans built cities like Mohenjo-daro with standardised bricks and drainage systems; Vedic people were semi-nomadic pastoralists. Harappan society shows no clear evidence of warfare, whereas Vedic texts reference conflicts. Understanding these contrasts helps explain India's early settlement patterns and cultural transitions.
2. How do archaeologists use bones and pottery shards to understand ancient Harappan life?
Ans. Bones and pottery reveal diet, trade routes, and daily practices of Harappan people. Animal bones indicate what they hunted and domesticated; pottery styles show regional connections and craftsmanship. Dental remains expose nutritional status and health. These material remains help reconstruct settlement patterns and economic systems without written records, making them crucial for studying the Indus Valley Civilisation's social structure.
3. What do the seals and beads found at Harappan sites tell us about their trade networks?
Ans. Harappan seals with pictographic scripts and standardised weights suggest organised long-distance trade. Beads made from semi-precious stones like carnelian, lapis lazuli, and turquoise indicate connections with Mesopotamia, the Persian Gulf, and Central Asia. These artefacts reveal sophisticated commercial systems and cultural exchange. Refer to flashcards and mind maps on EduRev to visualise Harappan trade routes and bead-making techniques effectively.
4. Why did the Harappan civilization decline around 1300 BCE?
Ans. Multiple factors caused Harappan decline: environmental stress from river flooding or drought, changes in monsoon patterns, invasion theories (debated among historians), and possible migration. Archaeological evidence shows gradual abandonment rather than sudden collapse. Some populations shifted to smaller settlements in Gujarat and the Deccan. This transition marked the shift towards Vedic pastoral societies and remains a subject of ongoing historical research.
5. What can we learn about Harappan social structure from archaeological remains like housing and artefacts?
Ans. Harappan housing layouts-with uniform brick sizes, separate bathing areas, and standardised urban planning-suggest egalitarian or regulated society with minimal class distinction. Absence of palaces or temples indicates decentralised authority. Distribution of luxury items like seals and jewellery across multiple sites suggests merchant classes. These artefacts demonstrate sophisticated administrative systems and organised labour, contrasting sharply with hierarchical Vedic societies described in texts.
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