Selina Textbook Solutions: The Harappan Civilization | History Class 9 ICSE PDF Download

 Page 1


The Harappan Civilization 
Exercises 
Question 1. 
Mention any two sources to reconstruct the Harappan Civilization. 
Answer: 
1. The remains of the two towns, Mohenjo-daro and Harappan reveal and 
remarkable sense of town planning—the drainage system, the Great Bath, the 
Assembly Hall and other public buildings. 
2. From Seals we come to know about the physical features, dress, ornaments and 
religious beliefs of the people. 
Question 2. 
Why did the Indus Valley Civilization come to be known as Harappan Civilization? 
Answer: 
Indus Valley Civilization came to be known as Harappan Civilization because this 
Civilization flourished in the pre-historic cities of Harappan in West Punjab and 
Mohenjo-daro in Sind. 
Question 3. 
Mention any two important centres of the Indus Valley Civilization. 
Answer: 
Northern and Western parts of India and the present day Pakistan. 
Question 4. 
What are the evidences which reveal the skill of the Indus people in town-planning? 
Answer: 
Streets: The streets divided the entire city into square or rectangular blocks, each of 
which was further divided by a number of lanes. The main streets were wide and 
straight and intersected each other at right angles. 
Bricks: Fire-burnt bricks were used for paving the streets. The comers of the streets 
were rounded off : Houses were not allowed to encroach upon the streets. 
Question 5. 
Mention the main evidences to suggest that the Indus Valley people paid great 
importance to sanitation and health. 
Answer: 
The elaborate drainage system was there in the city. A brick lined drainage channel 
flowed alongside every street. The house drains were connected to underground main 
drains, which opened into large brick culverts on the outskirts of the city. The drains 
were provided with manholes. This provision of such a systematic drainage system in 
every city shows that the people paid great attention to sanitation and health. 
Page 2


The Harappan Civilization 
Exercises 
Question 1. 
Mention any two sources to reconstruct the Harappan Civilization. 
Answer: 
1. The remains of the two towns, Mohenjo-daro and Harappan reveal and 
remarkable sense of town planning—the drainage system, the Great Bath, the 
Assembly Hall and other public buildings. 
2. From Seals we come to know about the physical features, dress, ornaments and 
religious beliefs of the people. 
Question 2. 
Why did the Indus Valley Civilization come to be known as Harappan Civilization? 
Answer: 
Indus Valley Civilization came to be known as Harappan Civilization because this 
Civilization flourished in the pre-historic cities of Harappan in West Punjab and 
Mohenjo-daro in Sind. 
Question 3. 
Mention any two important centres of the Indus Valley Civilization. 
Answer: 
Northern and Western parts of India and the present day Pakistan. 
Question 4. 
What are the evidences which reveal the skill of the Indus people in town-planning? 
Answer: 
Streets: The streets divided the entire city into square or rectangular blocks, each of 
which was further divided by a number of lanes. The main streets were wide and 
straight and intersected each other at right angles. 
Bricks: Fire-burnt bricks were used for paving the streets. The comers of the streets 
were rounded off : Houses were not allowed to encroach upon the streets. 
Question 5. 
Mention the main evidences to suggest that the Indus Valley people paid great 
importance to sanitation and health. 
Answer: 
The elaborate drainage system was there in the city. A brick lined drainage channel 
flowed alongside every street. The house drains were connected to underground main 
drains, which opened into large brick culverts on the outskirts of the city. The drains 
were provided with manholes. This provision of such a systematic drainage system in 
every city shows that the people paid great attention to sanitation and health. 
Question 6. 
What are the two different types of buildings that were unearthed at the various 
Industries ? 
Answer: 
Following are the different types select any two of buildings that were unearthed 
at the various industries:  
1. The Dwelling-Houses. 
2. The Great Bath. 
3. The great granary. 
4. The Assembly Hall and other Public-Buildings. 
Question 7. 
Mention the evidences which suggest that the Harappan people had trade relations with 
other countries. 
Answer: 
The Harappan people had commercial relations with southern and eastern. India, 
Kashmir and with other countries of Asia. They imported various metals, precious 
stones and other articles. They also carried on their trade with Egypt and Crete. Objects 
of Sumerian origin found at the ruins of the Indus cities indicate that their trade relations 
between these countries were actively practiced into. Trade was carried on both by land 
and sea-routes. The seal bearing a mastless ship holds the evidence of the popularity of 
the sea-routes. 
Question 8. 
Describe the famous sculpture in metal which was found among the ruins of the city of 
Mohenjo-daro. 
Answer: 
The most outstanding work in metal is the bronze figure of a dancing girl with her right 
hand on her hip in a dancing posture. She is shown, wearing necklaces and her left arm 
is covered with bangles, made of ivory or bone. Her hair is neatly fashioned in the form 
of a bun and her head is tilted slightly backward. 
Question 9. 
Give one evidence to show that the Harappan people excelled in the art of sculpture in 
the following: 
(a) In metal (b) In stone (c) In terracotta 
Answer: 
Evidence of Harappan people’s excellent artistry regarding the mentioned heads 
are as follows: 
(a) 
The figure of the dancing girl carved out of bronze metal. 
(b) 
The two stone-status, one that of a nobleman or a priest and the other that of a Male 
Torso in red stone stand sufficient evidence of skill of the Harappan people’s sculpture 
Page 3


The Harappan Civilization 
Exercises 
Question 1. 
Mention any two sources to reconstruct the Harappan Civilization. 
Answer: 
1. The remains of the two towns, Mohenjo-daro and Harappan reveal and 
remarkable sense of town planning—the drainage system, the Great Bath, the 
Assembly Hall and other public buildings. 
2. From Seals we come to know about the physical features, dress, ornaments and 
religious beliefs of the people. 
Question 2. 
Why did the Indus Valley Civilization come to be known as Harappan Civilization? 
Answer: 
Indus Valley Civilization came to be known as Harappan Civilization because this 
Civilization flourished in the pre-historic cities of Harappan in West Punjab and 
Mohenjo-daro in Sind. 
Question 3. 
Mention any two important centres of the Indus Valley Civilization. 
Answer: 
Northern and Western parts of India and the present day Pakistan. 
Question 4. 
What are the evidences which reveal the skill of the Indus people in town-planning? 
Answer: 
Streets: The streets divided the entire city into square or rectangular blocks, each of 
which was further divided by a number of lanes. The main streets were wide and 
straight and intersected each other at right angles. 
Bricks: Fire-burnt bricks were used for paving the streets. The comers of the streets 
were rounded off : Houses were not allowed to encroach upon the streets. 
Question 5. 
Mention the main evidences to suggest that the Indus Valley people paid great 
importance to sanitation and health. 
Answer: 
The elaborate drainage system was there in the city. A brick lined drainage channel 
flowed alongside every street. The house drains were connected to underground main 
drains, which opened into large brick culverts on the outskirts of the city. The drains 
were provided with manholes. This provision of such a systematic drainage system in 
every city shows that the people paid great attention to sanitation and health. 
Question 6. 
What are the two different types of buildings that were unearthed at the various 
Industries ? 
Answer: 
Following are the different types select any two of buildings that were unearthed 
at the various industries:  
1. The Dwelling-Houses. 
2. The Great Bath. 
3. The great granary. 
4. The Assembly Hall and other Public-Buildings. 
Question 7. 
Mention the evidences which suggest that the Harappan people had trade relations with 
other countries. 
Answer: 
The Harappan people had commercial relations with southern and eastern. India, 
Kashmir and with other countries of Asia. They imported various metals, precious 
stones and other articles. They also carried on their trade with Egypt and Crete. Objects 
of Sumerian origin found at the ruins of the Indus cities indicate that their trade relations 
between these countries were actively practiced into. Trade was carried on both by land 
and sea-routes. The seal bearing a mastless ship holds the evidence of the popularity of 
the sea-routes. 
Question 8. 
Describe the famous sculpture in metal which was found among the ruins of the city of 
Mohenjo-daro. 
Answer: 
The most outstanding work in metal is the bronze figure of a dancing girl with her right 
hand on her hip in a dancing posture. She is shown, wearing necklaces and her left arm 
is covered with bangles, made of ivory or bone. Her hair is neatly fashioned in the form 
of a bun and her head is tilted slightly backward. 
Question 9. 
Give one evidence to show that the Harappan people excelled in the art of sculpture in 
the following: 
(a) In metal (b) In stone (c) In terracotta 
Answer: 
Evidence of Harappan people’s excellent artistry regarding the mentioned heads 
are as follows: 
(a) 
The figure of the dancing girl carved out of bronze metal. 
(b) 
The two stone-status, one that of a nobleman or a priest and the other that of a Male 
Torso in red stone stand sufficient evidence of skill of the Harappan people’s sculpture 
in stone. 
(c) 
The terracotta figurine of the Mother-Goddess and other terracotta figures of a bull, 
dogs, sheep, birds, men and women. 
Question 10. 
What evidence has been found to suggest that the Harappan people were familiar with 
the art of writing? 
Answer: 
The seals discovered at Harappan and Mohenjo-daro are engraved with some sort of 
pictorial writing. Similar inscriptions have been found engraved on copper tables with 
figures of men and animals 
 
Question 11. 
Mention three different kinds of Seals discovered at the various sites of the Harappan 
Valley Civilization. 
Answer: 
Three different kinds of Seals discovered are: 
1. The Animal Seals. 
2. The Unicom Seal. 
3. The Shiva Pashupati Seal. 
Question 12. 
Mention any two probable causes for the decline and disappearance of the Harappan 
Civilization. 
Answer: 
Floods or earthquakes might have caused the destruction of the cities. 
Question 13. 
Mention any two features to suggest that the Harappan people enjoyed a higher 
standard of civic amenities than those of Mesopotamia. 
Answer: 
Harappan people enjoyed a higher standard of civic amenities than those of 
Mesopotamia. The Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro and also its many houses with their own 
water supply, bathrooms and excellent drainage system, all go to say that “the masses 
enjoyed a degree of comfort and luxury unknown in other parts of the civilized world.” 
 
 
Page 4


The Harappan Civilization 
Exercises 
Question 1. 
Mention any two sources to reconstruct the Harappan Civilization. 
Answer: 
1. The remains of the two towns, Mohenjo-daro and Harappan reveal and 
remarkable sense of town planning—the drainage system, the Great Bath, the 
Assembly Hall and other public buildings. 
2. From Seals we come to know about the physical features, dress, ornaments and 
religious beliefs of the people. 
Question 2. 
Why did the Indus Valley Civilization come to be known as Harappan Civilization? 
Answer: 
Indus Valley Civilization came to be known as Harappan Civilization because this 
Civilization flourished in the pre-historic cities of Harappan in West Punjab and 
Mohenjo-daro in Sind. 
Question 3. 
Mention any two important centres of the Indus Valley Civilization. 
Answer: 
Northern and Western parts of India and the present day Pakistan. 
Question 4. 
What are the evidences which reveal the skill of the Indus people in town-planning? 
Answer: 
Streets: The streets divided the entire city into square or rectangular blocks, each of 
which was further divided by a number of lanes. The main streets were wide and 
straight and intersected each other at right angles. 
Bricks: Fire-burnt bricks were used for paving the streets. The comers of the streets 
were rounded off : Houses were not allowed to encroach upon the streets. 
Question 5. 
Mention the main evidences to suggest that the Indus Valley people paid great 
importance to sanitation and health. 
Answer: 
The elaborate drainage system was there in the city. A brick lined drainage channel 
flowed alongside every street. The house drains were connected to underground main 
drains, which opened into large brick culverts on the outskirts of the city. The drains 
were provided with manholes. This provision of such a systematic drainage system in 
every city shows that the people paid great attention to sanitation and health. 
Question 6. 
What are the two different types of buildings that were unearthed at the various 
Industries ? 
Answer: 
Following are the different types select any two of buildings that were unearthed 
at the various industries:  
1. The Dwelling-Houses. 
2. The Great Bath. 
3. The great granary. 
4. The Assembly Hall and other Public-Buildings. 
Question 7. 
Mention the evidences which suggest that the Harappan people had trade relations with 
other countries. 
Answer: 
The Harappan people had commercial relations with southern and eastern. India, 
Kashmir and with other countries of Asia. They imported various metals, precious 
stones and other articles. They also carried on their trade with Egypt and Crete. Objects 
of Sumerian origin found at the ruins of the Indus cities indicate that their trade relations 
between these countries were actively practiced into. Trade was carried on both by land 
and sea-routes. The seal bearing a mastless ship holds the evidence of the popularity of 
the sea-routes. 
Question 8. 
Describe the famous sculpture in metal which was found among the ruins of the city of 
Mohenjo-daro. 
Answer: 
The most outstanding work in metal is the bronze figure of a dancing girl with her right 
hand on her hip in a dancing posture. She is shown, wearing necklaces and her left arm 
is covered with bangles, made of ivory or bone. Her hair is neatly fashioned in the form 
of a bun and her head is tilted slightly backward. 
Question 9. 
Give one evidence to show that the Harappan people excelled in the art of sculpture in 
the following: 
(a) In metal (b) In stone (c) In terracotta 
Answer: 
Evidence of Harappan people’s excellent artistry regarding the mentioned heads 
are as follows: 
(a) 
The figure of the dancing girl carved out of bronze metal. 
(b) 
The two stone-status, one that of a nobleman or a priest and the other that of a Male 
Torso in red stone stand sufficient evidence of skill of the Harappan people’s sculpture 
in stone. 
(c) 
The terracotta figurine of the Mother-Goddess and other terracotta figures of a bull, 
dogs, sheep, birds, men and women. 
Question 10. 
What evidence has been found to suggest that the Harappan people were familiar with 
the art of writing? 
Answer: 
The seals discovered at Harappan and Mohenjo-daro are engraved with some sort of 
pictorial writing. Similar inscriptions have been found engraved on copper tables with 
figures of men and animals 
 
Question 11. 
Mention three different kinds of Seals discovered at the various sites of the Harappan 
Valley Civilization. 
Answer: 
Three different kinds of Seals discovered are: 
1. The Animal Seals. 
2. The Unicom Seal. 
3. The Shiva Pashupati Seal. 
Question 12. 
Mention any two probable causes for the decline and disappearance of the Harappan 
Civilization. 
Answer: 
Floods or earthquakes might have caused the destruction of the cities. 
Question 13. 
Mention any two features to suggest that the Harappan people enjoyed a higher 
standard of civic amenities than those of Mesopotamia. 
Answer: 
Harappan people enjoyed a higher standard of civic amenities than those of 
Mesopotamia. The Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro and also its many houses with their own 
water supply, bathrooms and excellent drainage system, all go to say that “the masses 
enjoyed a degree of comfort and luxury unknown in other parts of the civilized world.” 
 
 
Question 14. 
What is Civilization? 
Answer: 
Civilization implies settlement in definite territories, the building of cities, the evolution of 
ordered methods of government, the development of trade and commerce and a 
capacity for progress which is unrestricted. 
Question 15. 
State the probable period of the existence of the Indus Valley Civilization. 
Answer: 
The probable period of the existence of the Indus Valley Civilization is between 3250 
and 2750 B.C. 
Question 16. 
Mention three main occupations of the Indus Valley people. 
Answer: 
1. Agriculture 
2. Domestication of Animals and 
3. Trade and Commerce 
Question 17. 
Mention any two features of the Harappan script. 
Answer: 
Two features of the Harappan script are: 
1. The Harappan script is pictorial. 
2. The script has been engraved on the seals and on copper tables. 
Question 18. 
Mention the evidences which suggest that the Harappan people worshiped: 
(a) The Mother Goddess, (b) The Shiva Pashupati, and (c) The trees and animals. 
Answer: 
On the basis of the following evidences we can say that the Harappan people 
worshipped different deities and objects: 
(a) 
Many terracotta figurines and seals discovered, bear the picture of a female deity, 
identified as the Mother Goddess. The female figures are semi nude, they wear 
elaborate head dresses and ornaments. Some of the figures are smoke-stained which 
may mean that the people burnt incense before the deity at the time of worship. People 
worshiped this Goddess believing in the female energy as the source of all creation. 
(b) 
A particular seal discovered, bears remarkable figure of a male deity, identified as Lord 
Page 5


The Harappan Civilization 
Exercises 
Question 1. 
Mention any two sources to reconstruct the Harappan Civilization. 
Answer: 
1. The remains of the two towns, Mohenjo-daro and Harappan reveal and 
remarkable sense of town planning—the drainage system, the Great Bath, the 
Assembly Hall and other public buildings. 
2. From Seals we come to know about the physical features, dress, ornaments and 
religious beliefs of the people. 
Question 2. 
Why did the Indus Valley Civilization come to be known as Harappan Civilization? 
Answer: 
Indus Valley Civilization came to be known as Harappan Civilization because this 
Civilization flourished in the pre-historic cities of Harappan in West Punjab and 
Mohenjo-daro in Sind. 
Question 3. 
Mention any two important centres of the Indus Valley Civilization. 
Answer: 
Northern and Western parts of India and the present day Pakistan. 
Question 4. 
What are the evidences which reveal the skill of the Indus people in town-planning? 
Answer: 
Streets: The streets divided the entire city into square or rectangular blocks, each of 
which was further divided by a number of lanes. The main streets were wide and 
straight and intersected each other at right angles. 
Bricks: Fire-burnt bricks were used for paving the streets. The comers of the streets 
were rounded off : Houses were not allowed to encroach upon the streets. 
Question 5. 
Mention the main evidences to suggest that the Indus Valley people paid great 
importance to sanitation and health. 
Answer: 
The elaborate drainage system was there in the city. A brick lined drainage channel 
flowed alongside every street. The house drains were connected to underground main 
drains, which opened into large brick culverts on the outskirts of the city. The drains 
were provided with manholes. This provision of such a systematic drainage system in 
every city shows that the people paid great attention to sanitation and health. 
Question 6. 
What are the two different types of buildings that were unearthed at the various 
Industries ? 
Answer: 
Following are the different types select any two of buildings that were unearthed 
at the various industries:  
1. The Dwelling-Houses. 
2. The Great Bath. 
3. The great granary. 
4. The Assembly Hall and other Public-Buildings. 
Question 7. 
Mention the evidences which suggest that the Harappan people had trade relations with 
other countries. 
Answer: 
The Harappan people had commercial relations with southern and eastern. India, 
Kashmir and with other countries of Asia. They imported various metals, precious 
stones and other articles. They also carried on their trade with Egypt and Crete. Objects 
of Sumerian origin found at the ruins of the Indus cities indicate that their trade relations 
between these countries were actively practiced into. Trade was carried on both by land 
and sea-routes. The seal bearing a mastless ship holds the evidence of the popularity of 
the sea-routes. 
Question 8. 
Describe the famous sculpture in metal which was found among the ruins of the city of 
Mohenjo-daro. 
Answer: 
The most outstanding work in metal is the bronze figure of a dancing girl with her right 
hand on her hip in a dancing posture. She is shown, wearing necklaces and her left arm 
is covered with bangles, made of ivory or bone. Her hair is neatly fashioned in the form 
of a bun and her head is tilted slightly backward. 
Question 9. 
Give one evidence to show that the Harappan people excelled in the art of sculpture in 
the following: 
(a) In metal (b) In stone (c) In terracotta 
Answer: 
Evidence of Harappan people’s excellent artistry regarding the mentioned heads 
are as follows: 
(a) 
The figure of the dancing girl carved out of bronze metal. 
(b) 
The two stone-status, one that of a nobleman or a priest and the other that of a Male 
Torso in red stone stand sufficient evidence of skill of the Harappan people’s sculpture 
in stone. 
(c) 
The terracotta figurine of the Mother-Goddess and other terracotta figures of a bull, 
dogs, sheep, birds, men and women. 
Question 10. 
What evidence has been found to suggest that the Harappan people were familiar with 
the art of writing? 
Answer: 
The seals discovered at Harappan and Mohenjo-daro are engraved with some sort of 
pictorial writing. Similar inscriptions have been found engraved on copper tables with 
figures of men and animals 
 
Question 11. 
Mention three different kinds of Seals discovered at the various sites of the Harappan 
Valley Civilization. 
Answer: 
Three different kinds of Seals discovered are: 
1. The Animal Seals. 
2. The Unicom Seal. 
3. The Shiva Pashupati Seal. 
Question 12. 
Mention any two probable causes for the decline and disappearance of the Harappan 
Civilization. 
Answer: 
Floods or earthquakes might have caused the destruction of the cities. 
Question 13. 
Mention any two features to suggest that the Harappan people enjoyed a higher 
standard of civic amenities than those of Mesopotamia. 
Answer: 
Harappan people enjoyed a higher standard of civic amenities than those of 
Mesopotamia. The Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro and also its many houses with their own 
water supply, bathrooms and excellent drainage system, all go to say that “the masses 
enjoyed a degree of comfort and luxury unknown in other parts of the civilized world.” 
 
 
Question 14. 
What is Civilization? 
Answer: 
Civilization implies settlement in definite territories, the building of cities, the evolution of 
ordered methods of government, the development of trade and commerce and a 
capacity for progress which is unrestricted. 
Question 15. 
State the probable period of the existence of the Indus Valley Civilization. 
Answer: 
The probable period of the existence of the Indus Valley Civilization is between 3250 
and 2750 B.C. 
Question 16. 
Mention three main occupations of the Indus Valley people. 
Answer: 
1. Agriculture 
2. Domestication of Animals and 
3. Trade and Commerce 
Question 17. 
Mention any two features of the Harappan script. 
Answer: 
Two features of the Harappan script are: 
1. The Harappan script is pictorial. 
2. The script has been engraved on the seals and on copper tables. 
Question 18. 
Mention the evidences which suggest that the Harappan people worshiped: 
(a) The Mother Goddess, (b) The Shiva Pashupati, and (c) The trees and animals. 
Answer: 
On the basis of the following evidences we can say that the Harappan people 
worshipped different deities and objects: 
(a) 
Many terracotta figurines and seals discovered, bear the picture of a female deity, 
identified as the Mother Goddess. The female figures are semi nude, they wear 
elaborate head dresses and ornaments. Some of the figures are smoke-stained which 
may mean that the people burnt incense before the deity at the time of worship. People 
worshiped this Goddess believing in the female energy as the source of all creation. 
(b) 
A particular seal discovered, bears remarkable figure of a male deity, identified as Lord 
Shiva. The figure is tri-faced with horns one either side of his head dress, is seated in a 
yogic posture on a throne surrounded by animals.The discovery of a large number of 
conical and cylindrical stones that resemble the Shiva Linga, suggest that the Harappan 
people worshiped Lord Shiva. 
(c) 
A certain religious seals discovered are found to bear designs, which means that they 
worshiped trees and animals. They considered Pipal tree sacred as it was a source of 
wisdom as they believed. Also, they worshiped the bull, the rhinoceros, the tiger and the 
crocodile. The figure of a deity with a hooded cobra over its head and a worshiper on 
either side signifies that some form of Naga-worship was in fashion. 
Question 19. 
What is the evidence to suggest that the Harappan people worshipped trees and 
animals? 
Answer: 
The seals are valuable source of information regarding the physical features of the 
people, their religious beliefs etc. The designs on certain religious seals show that 
people worshipped trees and animals. 
Question 20. 
What is meant by the word ‘Mesopotamia’? 
Answer: 
The word ‘Mesopotamia’ means the region between the two rivers 
Question 21. 
What evidences are found for us to know about the following: 
(a) Food of the Indus Valley people. 
(b) Dress and Ornaments worn by the people. 
Answer: 
In context of the mentioned headlines in the questions evidences that are found 
are described below: 
(a) 
The principal diet of the Indus Valley people consisted of wheat and barley which were 
regularly cultivated. Rice and dates were also eaten. Milk, vegetables and fruits were 
also eaten. Milk, vegetables and fruits were also there. Beef, mutton, poultry, turtle, 
tortoise, river-fish and shell-fish were commonly used. 
(b) 
The various sculptured figures show that people used to wear simple dress. Men used 
two pieces of cloth;  the upper garment, that was a shawl which was drawn over the left 
shoulder and under the right arm; the lower garment resembled a modem dhoti. Female 
dress did not differ much from that of the male. Women used a loin cloth bound by a 
girdle. Common fabrics were commonly used, perhaps wool was also used.Male and 
female both were fond of wearing ornaments. Gold, silver, coppe, other metals and 
precious stones were used for making various ornaments of different designs. Men and