PPT: The First Cities | Social Studies & Pedagogy Paper 2 for CTET & TET Exams - CTET & State TET PDF Download

 Page 1


The First 
Cities
Page 2


The First 
Cities
The Indus Valley Civilisation
The Indus Valley Civilisation was an ancient bronze age civilisation in the Indian subcontinent. Along with 
ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, it was one of the three early civilisations of the ancient world. This civilisation 
is also known as the Harappan civilisation, named after one of its first discovered cities.
Geographic Span
Extended across modern-day 
Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan
Time Period
Bronze Age civilization (2500-
1750 BCE)
Historical Significance
One of the world's three earliest 
major urban civilizations
Page 3


The First 
Cities
The Indus Valley Civilisation
The Indus Valley Civilisation was an ancient bronze age civilisation in the Indian subcontinent. Along with 
ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, it was one of the three early civilisations of the ancient world. This civilisation 
is also known as the Harappan civilisation, named after one of its first discovered cities.
Geographic Span
Extended across modern-day 
Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan
Time Period
Bronze Age civilization (2500-
1750 BCE)
Historical Significance
One of the world's three earliest 
major urban civilizations
Discovery of Harappa
Harappa was first described in 1842 by Charles Masson. Formal 
excavations began in 1921 under Sir John Marshall. Carbon-14 dating 
places this civilization between 2500-1750 BCE.
1
1842
Charles Masson provides first description of Harappa 
ruins
2
1856
Alexander Cunningham visits site during railway 
construction
3
1921
Sir John Marshall begins first formal excavations
4
Modern Dating
Carbon-14 dating establishes 2500-1750 BCE timeframe
Page 4


The First 
Cities
The Indus Valley Civilisation
The Indus Valley Civilisation was an ancient bronze age civilisation in the Indian subcontinent. Along with 
ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, it was one of the three early civilisations of the ancient world. This civilisation 
is also known as the Harappan civilisation, named after one of its first discovered cities.
Geographic Span
Extended across modern-day 
Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan
Time Period
Bronze Age civilization (2500-
1750 BCE)
Historical Significance
One of the world's three earliest 
major urban civilizations
Discovery of Harappa
Harappa was first described in 1842 by Charles Masson. Formal 
excavations began in 1921 under Sir John Marshall. Carbon-14 dating 
places this civilization between 2500-1750 BCE.
1
1842
Charles Masson provides first description of Harappa 
ruins
2
1856
Alexander Cunningham visits site during railway 
construction
3
1921
Sir John Marshall begins first formal excavations
4
Modern Dating
Carbon-14 dating establishes 2500-1750 BCE timeframe
Characteristics of Harappan Civilisation
Vast Extent
Spanned from Jammu to Maharashtra, 
Uttar Pradesh to Afghanistan.
City Structure
Divided into elevated "citadel" and larger 
"lower town".
Urban Planning
Streets in these cities were 
meticulously laid out in a 
grid pattern, lined with 
sturdy brick structures.
Social Structure
Society included 
merchants, laborers, 
craftsmen, and more. 
People enjoyed various 
activities.
Daily Life
Feasting on wheat, savoring 
fish, and relishing meat, all 
while men and women 
dazzled with their 
collection of ornaments.
Page 5


The First 
Cities
The Indus Valley Civilisation
The Indus Valley Civilisation was an ancient bronze age civilisation in the Indian subcontinent. Along with 
ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, it was one of the three early civilisations of the ancient world. This civilisation 
is also known as the Harappan civilisation, named after one of its first discovered cities.
Geographic Span
Extended across modern-day 
Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan
Time Period
Bronze Age civilization (2500-
1750 BCE)
Historical Significance
One of the world's three earliest 
major urban civilizations
Discovery of Harappa
Harappa was first described in 1842 by Charles Masson. Formal 
excavations began in 1921 under Sir John Marshall. Carbon-14 dating 
places this civilization between 2500-1750 BCE.
1
1842
Charles Masson provides first description of Harappa 
ruins
2
1856
Alexander Cunningham visits site during railway 
construction
3
1921
Sir John Marshall begins first formal excavations
4
Modern Dating
Carbon-14 dating establishes 2500-1750 BCE timeframe
Characteristics of Harappan Civilisation
Vast Extent
Spanned from Jammu to Maharashtra, 
Uttar Pradesh to Afghanistan.
City Structure
Divided into elevated "citadel" and larger 
"lower town".
Urban Planning
Streets in these cities were 
meticulously laid out in a 
grid pattern, lined with 
sturdy brick structures.
Social Structure
Society included 
merchants, laborers, 
craftsmen, and more. 
People enjoyed various 
activities.
Daily Life
Feasting on wheat, savoring 
fish, and relishing meat, all 
while men and women 
dazzled with their 
collection of ornaments.
Crafts and Trade in Harappan Cities
The Harappans were skilled craftspeople who worked with various materials including stone, shells, and metals. Copper 
and bronze were used for tools, weapons, and vessels, while gold and silver were primarily for ornaments and decorative 
vessels.
Distinctive pots with 
beautiful black designs, 
showing advanced ceramic 
techniques
Carved rectangular stone 
seals, usually featuring 
animal designs, used for 
trade and identification
Cotton cultivation dating 
back 7000 years, with 
evidence of cloth found on 
artifacts
Extensive trade networks 
reaching Mesopotamia, with 
Sumerian texts referring to 
the Indus region