Class 6 History Chapter 3 Question Answers - In the Earliest Cities

Q1. Write about Harappan seals.

Ans: Harappan seals featured images of various animals, reflecting a wet and marshy environment. Common depictions included:

• Rhinoceros
• Elephants
• Tigers

These animals were often shown among marshy plants, highlighting the natural habitat of the time.

Q2. What are the two important salient features of the constructions excavated in the Indus Valley Civilisation?

Ans: Two important salient features of the constructions excavated in the Indus Valley Civilisation include:

• Baked bricks were used in all buildings.
• The bricks were laid in an interlocking pattern, creating strong walls.

Q3. Write about the drains in the Harappan cities.

Ans: The people of Harappa placed great emphasis on their drainage system. Key features included:

• Many cities had covered drains.
• Drains were laid out in straight lines with a gentle slope to facilitate water flow.
• House drains are connected to street drains.
• Regularly spaced inspection holes allow for proper cleaning.

Q4. Why were metals, writing, wheels and ploughs important for the Harappans?

Ans: Metals, writing, the wheel, and the plough were crucial for the Harappans for several reasons:

• Metals were essential for making tools and ornaments.
• Writing enabled them to record important information and scriptures.
• The wheel facilitated transportation, allowing carts to move goods and people.
• The plough was vital for farming, helping them cultivate land and grow crops for food.

Q5. How do archaeologists know that cloth was used in the Harappan civilization?

Ans: Archaeologists have discovered actual pieces of cloth at Mohenjodaro, specifically attached to the lid of a silver vase and some copper objects. This suggests that the Harappans used cloth, likely made from cotton, which farmers probably cultivated at that time.

Additionally, they found spindle whorls made of terracotta and faience, which were tools used for spinning thread. These findings prove that cloth was used in the Harappan civilization.

Q6. What is the meaning of seals and sealing?

Ans: Seals were used to mark bags or packets containing goods sent from one place to another. The process involved:

• Closing or tying a bag.
• Applying a layer of wet clay on the knot.
• Pressing a seal onto the clay, creating an impression known as sealing.

If the sealing remained intact, it ensured that the goods arrived safely. The Harappan people also used seals to signify ownership and ward off bad omens.

Q7. What were the main Harappan towns in Gujrat?

Ans: The main Harappan towns in Gujarat include:

• Dholavira: Located on Khadir Beyt in the Rann of Kutch, this town featured fresh water and fertile soil. It was unique as it was divided into three parts, each surrounded by massive stone walls.
• Lothal: Situated beside a tributary of the Sabarmati, near the Gulf of Khambat, Lothal was an important centre for crafting items from stone, shell, and metal. It also had a significant dockyard for trade.

Q8. What was the main food of people in the cities?

Ans: The main foods consumed by the Harappans included:

• wheat
• barley
• pulses
• peas
• rice
• sesame
• linseed
• mustard
• meat
• milk and milk products

These foods were essential for the diet of people living in the cities.

Q9. What types of metals were used to make tools in earlier cities?

Ans: In earlier cities, four main types of metals were used to create tools:

• Copper
• Bronze
• Gold
• Silver

Copper and bronze were primarily used for:

• Tools
• Weapons
• Ornaments
• Vessels

Gold and silver were mainly crafted into:

• Ornaments
• Vessels

Q10. Write down the names of the main earliest cities.

Ans: The main earliest cities include:

• Mohenjodaro
• Harappa
• Kalibangan
• Rakhi Garhi
• Chanhudaro
• Dholavira
• Surkotada
• Lothal
• Sotkakoh

Q11. What was the use of the Great Bath? What materials were used in the great bath?

Ans: The Great Bath was primarily used for ritual baths by important individuals such as priests and rulers.

It was constructed using:

• Kiln-burnt bricks for lining the tank.
• Plaster of gypsum to enhance durability.
• Bitumen to make the tank water-resistant.

Q12. List three factors which show that Lothal was an important production centre of the Harappan civilisation.

Ans: The following factors demonstrate that Lothal was a significant production centre of the Harappan civilisation:

• Raw materials: Lothal was located near sources of semi-precious stones, facilitating the production of various items.
• Manufacturing facilities: The city featured workshops for crafting objects from stone, shell, and metal.
• Dockyard: A large dockyard allowed for the loading and unloading of goods, indicating its role in trade.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. What were the important crafts of the Harappan people?

Ans: In Harappan cities, both men and women were involved in various crafts. They created items either at home or in dedicated workshops.

• Terracotta toys: Many toys have been discovered, indicating that children enjoyed playing with them.
• Stone tools and weights: These were carefully crafted and likely used for weighing precious materials.
• Beads: Made from materials like carnelian, these were shaped, polished, and drilled for stringing.
• Metal objects: Tools, weapons, and ornaments were made from copper, bronze, gold, and silver.

Q2. Describe the life of the people in Harappan cities.

Ans: A Harappan city was a very busy place, characterised by various activities:

• Planning and Construction: Some individuals, likely the rulers, organised the building of special structures.
• Trade and Resources: Rulers may have sent people to distant lands to acquire metals, precious stones, and other valuable items.
• Valuable Objects: The most prized possessions, such as gold and silver ornaments and beautiful beads, were likely kept by the elite.
• Scribes: Skilled individuals known as scribes created seals and possibly wrote on materials that have not survived.
• Craftsmanship: Men and women worked as craftspersons, producing various items in their homes or in dedicated workshops.
• Trade Routes: People travelled to far-off places by carts or ships, bringing back raw materials and stories.
• Children's Play: Many terracotta toys have been discovered, indicating that children played with these items.

Q3. List features of the Great Bath.

The Great Bath

Ans: The Great Bath featured several notable characteristics:

• It was lined with bricks and coated with plaster.
• A layer of natural tar made it watertight.
• Steps on two sides allowed access to the tank.
• It was likely used for ritual baths by important individuals, such as priests and rulers.
• The tank was constructed with kiln-burnt bricks, enhancing its durability.
• Water was probably sourced from a well and drained after use.

Q4. What were the main features of the cities built during the Harappa Civilisation?

Ans: Harappan cities were characterised by several distinctive features:

• The cities were typically divided into two main parts: the citadel in the west, which was elevated, and the lower town in the east, which was larger but lower.
• Walls were constructed using baked bricks laid in interlocking patterns, ensuring durability.
• Some cities featured a significant structure known as The Great Bath, which was a large water tank used for ritual purposes.
• Most houses were one or two storeys high, built around a central courtyard, and often included separate bathing areas.
• The cities had advanced drainage systems with covered drains and manholes for maintenance.

These features reflect the sophisticated urban planning and architectural skills of the Harappan civilisation. 

Q5. What led to the decline of the Harappan civilisation?

Ans: The decline of the Harappan civilisation remains a topic of debate among historians. Several factors contributed to the downfall of their cities:

• Abandonment of cities: Many Harappan cities were deserted, leading to a significant decline in population.
• Loss of writing and trade: The use of writing, seals, and weights diminished, affecting trade.
• Resource scarcity: Raw materials from distant sources became scarce.
• Urban decay: In Mohenjodaro, evidence shows garbage accumulation, a failing drainage system, and the construction of less impressive houses.

Possible reasons for these changes include:

• Environmental shifts: Some scholars propose that rivers may have dried up.
• Deforestation: Trees may have been cut down for fuel, affecting the ecosystem.
• Overgrazing: Large herds of livestock could have damaged the green cover.
• Flooding: Some areas experienced floods, but this alone cannot explain the decline of all cities.

It appears that the rulers lost control, leading to:

• Abandonment of sites in Sind and West Punjab (now Pakistan).
• Migration to smaller settlements in the east and south.

New cities emerged approximately 1400 years later, marking a significant shift in the region.