Important Questions: Writing & City Life | History Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: What was the land of Mesopotamia civilization at the beginning of recorded history?
Ans: It was called Sumer and Akkad.

Q2: Who had released Babylonia from Assyrian domination?
Ans: It was Nabopolassar in 625 BCE.

Q3: Write the Geographical feature and extent of Mesopotamia Civilization?
Ans: Undulating plains in the northeast, flanked by tree-covered mountain ranges, steppe in the North and desert in the South- Plains were fertile.

Q4: Name the crops grown in Mesopotamia?
Ans: Wheat, barley, peas, etc.

Q5: What is urbanization?
Ans: Urbanization refers to the process where an economy transitions from primarily agricultural activities to a focus on manufacturing and services. This shift leads to the growth of cities and towns.

Q6: What was and is the cheapest mode of transport?
Ans: Water transport, as it requires minimal resources while moving across rivers.

Q7: How is writing a specific verbal communication?
Ans: Spoken sounds are represented in visible signs in the course of writing.

Short Answer Type Questions

• Shift in Employment: Cities primarily host secondary and tertiary jobs, moving away from traditional primary jobs like agriculture.
• Interdependence: Urban residents rely on each other for goods and services, creating a network of specialisation.
• Example of Craftsmanship: A stone carver needs bronze tools and specific stone slabs, which he obtains from traders, highlighting the interconnectedness of urban roles.
• Division of Labour: Different craftsmen, such as tool makers and seal cutters, depend on various resources, necessitating organised trade and storage.
• Social Organisation: Efficient urban economies require coordination of multiple activities, including the delivery and storage of food and materials.

Q9: Write about the family norms of Mesopotamia?
Ans: A nuclear family consisting of a man, his wife, and children was the family norm in Mesopotamia. Married son and his family somewhere often resided with his parents. An offer from the bridegroom party and acceptance of the bride’s party was necessary. Groom’s party would offer gifts to the bride’s party. They would eat together on the wedding day and the offering would be made in a temple. Dowry system was also in vogue there in the form of herds, fields, or in cash.

Q10: Do you think the pre-occupation in the urban world of Mesopotamia is a modern phenomenon? If not so, then why?
Ans:  No, the preoccupation with the urban world of Mesopotamia is not a modern phenomenon. Historical evidence shows that:

• Babylonia was recognised as a centre of high culture by the Assyrian kings, particularly Assurbanipal (668–627 BCE).
• Assurbanipal established a library in Nineveh, collecting hundreds of clay tablets on various subjects, including history, epics, and astrology.
• Cuneiform tablets date back to 2000 BCE and were taught in schools, ensuring that the Sumerian and Akkadian languages remained intelligible.
• Archaeologists discovered vocabulary texts, sign lists, and bilingual tablets in Assurbanipal's library, indicating a systematic approach to knowledge preservation.
• Tablets were catalogued, showing an early effort to organise and maintain records.

These points illustrate that the engagement with urban life in Mesopotamia has deep historical roots, far preceding modern scholarly interests.

Q11: How the Mesopotamian story and that mentioned in Bible are analogous?
Ans:  God instructed Noah to save life on earth from a great flood that threatened to destroy everything. Noah built a large ark and took pairs of every known species of animals and birds on board, ensuring their survival. A similar tale exists in Mesopotamian tradition, where the hero is known as Utnapishtim (or Ziusudra). Key similarities include:

• Both stories feature a great flood meant to wipe out life.
• In both narratives, a chosen man builds a vessel to save species.
• Both accounts highlight the preservation of life amidst destruction.

Q12: Discuss whether city life would have been possible without the use of metals.
Ans: City life in Mesopotamia was heavily reliant on the use of metals. Here are some key points:

• City development began with specialised occupations, which required various tools.
• These tools were primarily made from metals, such as bronze, which were imported from regions like Turkey and Iran.
• Trade was essential; Mesopotamians exchanged their agricultural products for metals, as their own agricultural capacity was limited.
• Without access to these metals, the complex structures and interactions that define city life would not have been possible.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q13: Narrate the important characteristics of Mesopotamia civilization and explain how archaeologists could explain so many things about the cities, the culture, society, and family traits of that period.
Ans: The important characteristics of Mesopotamia Civilization can be briefed as under –

• The first known writing style, dating back to around 3200 BCE, featured pictorial signs and numbers.
• It is recognised as the world's first city civilization, existing approximately 600 years before the Indus Valley civilization.
• The initial language was Sumerian, which was gradually replaced by Akkadian around 2400 BCE.
• This civilization was the first to use the Cuneiform script for writing.
• It was home to various pastoral nomadic groups, including the Akkadians, Amorites, Assyrians, and Aramaeans.
• The Warka Head, a renowned female sculpture, showcases advanced artistry before 3000 BCE, crafted from hard stone and adorned with lapis lazuli and shell.
• The first known library was established by Assurbanipal, an Assyrian king, around 668 – 627 BCE, containing hundreds of clay tablets on various subjects.
• Architectural advancements were notable, exemplified by the palace of King Zimrilim at Mari, featuring 260 rooms and elaborate decorations.
• Seals were intricately designed, often cylindrical, used for marking ownership and inscribed with Cuneiform and animal images.
• War leaders contributed to temple construction, organising resources for the community, with major deities including the moon god of Ur and the goddess of love and war.

About cities, the culture, society and family traits:

• Cities began developing around 5000 BCE in Southern Mesopotamia, centred around temples that served as trade hubs.
• The earliest temples were small shrines made from unbaked bricks, evolving into the main urban institutions.
• Geographical conditions influenced the lifestyle, with the presence of grasslands, deserts, and rivers like the Euphrates and Tigris.
• Pastoral and agricultural communities, such as the Akkadians and Amorites, settled in these areas, with distinct cultural practices.
• The nuclear family was common, with the father as the head. Married sons often lived with their parents.
• Arranged marriages were customary, requiring consent from the bride's parents, followed by a gift from the groom's family.
• The dowry system was also practised, where the bride received her inheritance share from her father at marriage.

Q14: Why do you think Assurbanipal and Nabonidus cherished early Mesopotamian traditions?
Ans: Assurbanipal and Nabonidus valued early Mesopotamian traditions for several reasons:

• Assurbanipal's Library: He established a library in Nineveh containing hundreds of clay tablets on various subjects, including history, epics, and astrology. This shows his commitment to preserving Mesopotamian culture.
• Personal Involvement: Assurbanipal personally checked, collected, and stored these tablets for future generations, indicating his desire to keep these traditions alive.
• Nabonidus's Writings: As the last ruler of independent Babylon, Nabonidus expressed his interest in maintaining religious practices and traditions through his own writings.
• Architectural Achievements: Under Nabonidus, Babylon flourished with impressive structures, including a triple wall and significant temples, reflecting the city's cultural importance.
• Respect for Ancestors: Nabonidus repaired ancient statues and revered past kings, demonstrating a deep respect for the history and legacy of Mesopotamia.

Both rulers recognised the significance of their heritage and sought to ensure its continuity for future generations.

Q15: Narrate how were the Mesopotamians first to calculate time and mathematics.
Ans: The Mesopotamians made significant contributions to time calculation and mathematics, which are considered their greatest legacies. Here are some key points about their achievements:

• Written records were essential for scientific and mathematical calculations, unlike oral traditions.
• By around 1800 BCE, they had created tablets containing:
  • Multiplication and division tables
  • Square root tables
  • Tables of compound interest
• The square root of 2 was calculated as 1 + 24/60 + 51/60² + 10/60³, yielding an approximate value of 1.41421296, close to the accurate 1.41421356.
• Students solved practical problems, such as calculating the volume of water in a field.
• They divided the year into 12 months, the month into four weeks, the day into 24 hours, and the hour into 60 minutes.
• These time divisions influenced later cultures, including the Romans and medieval Europe.
• Mesopotamians also recorded observations of solar and lunar eclipses and the positions of stars and constellations.
• All these advancements were made possible by their written language and the establishment of schools.

Hence, the Mesopotamians laid the groundwork for modern timekeeping and mathematical principles, which have been passed down through generations.

Q16: Describe the settlements and structure of colonies in Mesopotamia as discovered by archaeologists in the 1930’s.
Ans:  The excavations in Ur, a town in Mesopotamia during the 1930s, revealed significant insights into the settlements and structures of the time:

• Narrow winding streets and irregular house plots suggest a lack of town planning.
• Houses featured drains and clay pipes in inner courtyards, indicating that roofs sloped inwards to channel rainwater into basins.
• Rooms received light through backdoors rather than windows, enhancing family privacy.
• There were no provisions for ventilation, which may have contributed to the privacy of families.
• The thresholds of houses were raised, believed to bring wealth, as noted on a clay tablet.
• Superstitions were prevalent; for instance, doors that opened away from other houses were considered lucky.
• The cemetery was primarily for the wealthy, while ordinary people were often buried beneath their homes.

Archaeologists also found evidence of daily life, such as charred fish bones and plant remains, indicating the presence of kitchens. Pigs roamed freely, and some were buried with their owners, suggesting they were valued for nourishment in the afterlife.

Q17: What, was the importance of writing to city life in Mesopotamia? Explain.
Ans:  Writing played a crucial role in the city life of Mesopotamia for several reasons:

• Record Keeping: Writing allowed city dwellers to maintain records of transactions involving various people and goods. This was essential for managing trade and commerce.
• Clay Tablets: Mesopotamians used clay tablets to document information. Many of these tablets have been discovered, providing valuable insights into their society.
• Legal Documentation: Writing was used to create legal documents, such as land transfers, which ensured the legitimacy of transactions.
• Historical Records: It enabled the recording of significant events, including the deeds of kings and changes in laws, thus preserving their history.
• Language Evolution: Initially, the Sumerian language was used for writing until around 2400 BCE, when it was replaced by Akkadian, which continued for over 2,000 years.
• Literary Works: Writing also facilitated the creation of literature, such as the Epic of Enmerkar, showcasing the cultural richness of Mesopotamian society.

Q18: What are the components that constitute urbanization? Discuss.
Ans:  Urbanization occurs when an economy expands beyond just food production. The key components that contribute to urbanization include:

• Economic Development: Urban economies involve trade, manufacturing, and services, moving away from self-sufficiency in food.
• Raw Materials: Urbanization requires sufficient raw materials and self-sufficiency in food grain production.
• Division of Labour:Work is divided into specific tasks. For example:
  • One person quarries stone.
  • Another transports it.
  • Others shape and carve it.
• Social Organisation: A structured system is needed for trade and storage, coordinating various activities and supplies.
• Transport: Efficient transport is crucial for moving goods into cities. Water transport is often the most economical.

Therefore, urbanization is a complex process that relies on economic diversity, resource availability, division of labour, social structure, and effective transport systems.

Q19: How skillfully the archaeologists have excavated and traced a small town at Abu Salabikh and what conclusion from the remains had they arrived at?
Ans: The excavation of the small town at Abu Salabikh, dating back to around 2500 BCE, showcases the meticulous methods employed by archaeologists. Here are the key findings and conclusions drawn from their work:

• The site covers approximately 10 hectares and was home to a population of less than 10,000.
• Archaeologists carefully scraped the surface soil to reveal different colours and textures, identifying walls, pits, and other features.
• They sieved through large amounts of earth to recover plant and animal remains, which helped identify various species.
• Charred bones of fish were found, indicating that kitchens were located where carbonised seeds and fibres were discovered.
• Teeth from young pigs were found on the streets, suggesting that pigs roamed freely in the town.
• Some pig bones were also found in a burial, indicating that pork may have been provided for the deceased.
• Microscopic studies of room floors revealed which rooms were roofed and which were open to the sky.

Q20: What source of study does reveal the fact that Mesopotamians were proud of city dwelling? Explain.
Ans: Mesopotamians took great pride in their city life, where diverse communities coexisted. Even after cities were destroyed in wars, they remembered them through poetry. The Epic of Gilgamesh, inscribed on twelve tablets, highlights this pride. Gilgamesh, a legendary ruler of Uruk, experienced deep sorrow after the death of his friend. In search of the secret to immortality, he journeyed far but ultimately returned to Uruk. Upon his return, he found solace by walking along the city wall. He admired the foundations made of fired bricks that he had built. This moment underscores the significance of the city to the Mesopotamians, revealing their strong attachment to their urban environment.

• Mesopotamians valued city life, fostering a sense of community.
• They expressed their memories of cities through poetry, especially in the Epic of Gilgamesh.
• Gilgamesh's journey reflects the importance of Uruk and its construction.
• The admiration for the city wall signifies their deep pride in their achievements