Worksheet Solutions: Bricks, Beads and Bones | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

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Q1: The Indus Valley Civilization is also known as ____________ civilization.
Ans: Harappan civilization.
The Indus Valley Civilization is also known as the Harappan civilization, named after one of its prominent sites.

Q2: Harappan civilization started flourishing along the River ____________ around 2600 B.C.
Ans: Indus.
Harappan civilization started flourishing along the River Indus around 2600 B.C., indicating its geographical origin.

Q3: The Harappan civilization was the largest ____________ age civilization in the world.
Ans: Bronze.
The Harappan civilization was the largest Bronze Age civilization in the world, signifying its technological advancement.

Q4: Harappa was the first site of this civilization discovered by ____________.
Ans: Archaeologists.
Harappa was the first site of this civilization discovered by archaeologists, marking the beginning of its study.

Q5: The Harappan seals were made of a stone called ____________.
Ans: Steatite.
The Harappan seals were made of a stone called steatite, a soft stone ideal for carving intricate designs.

Q6: The Harappan script is yet to be ____________.
Ans: Deciphered.
The Harappan script is yet to be deciphered, highlighting the challenges in understanding this ancient writing system.

Q7: The Great Bath, a ritual bathing area, was found in the city of ____________.
Ans: Mohenjodaro.
The Great Bath, a ritual bathing area, was found in the city of Mohenjodaro, showcasing advanced urban planning.

Q8: The Harappan civilization had trade relations with ____________, Oman, and Bahrain.
Ans: Mesopotamia.
The Harappan civilization had trade relations with Mesopotamia, Oman, and Bahrain, indicating its international connections.

Q9: The drying up of rivers is one of the possible causes for the end of the Harappan civilization due to ____________.
Ans: Deforestation.
The drying up of rivers is one of the possible causes for the end of the Harappan civilization due to deforestation, which disrupted the environment.

Q10: Aryans are believed to have reached India around ____________ BCE.
Ans: 1500.
Aryans are believed to have reached India around 1500 BCE, marking their arrival in the subcontinent.

Assertion and Reason Based

Q1: Assertion: The Harappan script has not been deciphered yet.
Reason: Harappan script contains signs between 375 and 400.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (a)
Both the Assertion and the Reason are true. The Harappan script has indeed not been deciphered yet, and it contains signs between 375 and 400. The presence of signs doesn't mean deciphering has occurred; it merely represents the complexity of the script. The Reason explains why the Assertion is true, indicating the complexity and vastness of the script that has not yet been fully understood.

Q2: Assertion: The citadel in Harappan cities was smaller than the lower town.
Reason: The citadel housed administrative buildings and was walled, while the lower town had residential housing.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (a)
Both the Assertion and the Reason are true. The citadel in Harappan cities was indeed smaller than the lower town. The citadel contained administrative buildings and was walled for security purposes. The lower town, on the other hand, housed residential areas and was significant for trade activities and craft making. The Reason correctly explains why the Assertion is true.

Q3: Assertion: The Harappan civilization had well-planned drainage systems.
Reason: Drainage channels in Harappan cities were covered with loose bricks for easy cleaning.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (a)
Both the Assertion and the Reason are true. The Harappan civilization had remarkably well-planned drainage systems in their cities. The drainage channels were made of mortar, lime, and gypsum, and they were covered with loose bricks. This design allowed for easy cleaning and maintenance, showcasing the advanced urban planning of the Harappan civilization. The Reason provides the explanation for why the Assertion is true.

Q4: Assertion: The Harappan civilization ended around 1800 BCE.
Reason: Aryans invaded the Harappan cities and caused their downfall.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (b)
The Assertion is true, but the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion. The end of the Harappan civilization around 1800 BCE is supported by archaeological evidence. While there are theories about Aryan invasions, there is no conclusive archaeological evidence to prove that Aryans directly caused the downfall of the Harappan civilization. The causes for the end of the Harappan civilization remain debated among historians and archaeologists.

Q5: Assertion: The Harappan people used a system of weights for exchanges.
Reason: The lower denominations of Harappan weights followed the decimal system.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (a)
Both the Assertion and the Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion. The Harappan people did use a system of weights for exchanges. The lower denominations of these weights indeed followed the decimal system. This means that the weights were based on powers of 10, making trade and exchanges more organized and standardized. The Reason correctly explains why the Assertion is true.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: What is the significance of Harappa in the discovery of the Harappan civilization?
Ans: Harappa was the first site of the Harappan civilization discovered by archaeologists.

Q2: Name the stone used for making Harappan seals.
Ans: Steatite.

Q3: What were the distinctive objects found in the Harappan culture?
Ans: Seals, beads, weights, stone blades, and baked bricks.

Q4: What was the purpose of the Great Bath in Mohenjodaro?
Ans: The Great Bath is believed to have been used for a unique ritual bath.

Q5: How did Harappans facilitate long-distance communication?
Ans: Harappans used seals and sealing to facilitate long-distance communication.

Q6: Name the animal shown in the Harappan seals.
Ans: Unicorn, the one-horned animal.

Q7: What was the material used for Harappan weights?
Ans: Chert.

Q8: How did Harappans regulate exchanges?
Ans: Harappans regulated exchanges using a system of weights.

Q9: Why are Harappan seals important for archaeologists?
Ans: Harappan seals provide valuable information about trade, communication, and identity.

Q10: What was the possible cause for the end of the Harappan civilization related to rivers?
Ans: The shifting and drying up of rivers.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Describe the features of the Harappan script.
Ans:

• The Harappan script has not been deciphered yet.
• Scripts were depicted on various objects such as seals, copper tools, terracotta tablets, and jewelry.
• The script contains signs between 375 and 400, with the most extended script containing about 26 signs.
• It was pictographic, not alphabetic, and written from right to left.
• Animal motifs were used for those who could not read.

Q2: Explain the layout of Harappan cities, including the citadel and the lower town.
Ans:

• Harappan cities were divided into two parts: the citadel and the lower town.
• The citadel was situated on a raised platform, containing large structures functioning as administrative buildings.
• The lower town, located in the eastern part, was more significant and housed residential areas, trade activities, and craft making.
• Both the citadel and the lower town were walled.

Q3: Discuss the significance of the Great Bath in Mohenjodaro.
Ans:

• The Great Bath is the earliest public water tank in the ancient world.
• It was a large rectangular tank in a courtyard, surrounded by a corridor on all four sides.
• Steps on the north and south sides allowed people to access the tank.
• The tank was made watertight using bricks and gypsum mortar.
• Scholars suggest it was used for unique ritual baths, possibly of religious or ceremonial significance.

Q4: Explain the drainage system in Harappan cities.
Ans:

• Harappan cities had a well-planned drainage system with streets laid out in a grid pattern intersecting at right angles.
• Streets with drains were laid out first, and houses were built along with them.
• Drains were made of mortar, lime, and gypsum and were covered with loose bricks for easy cleaning.
• House drains emptied into a cesspit, and drainage channels had sumps for cleaning.

Q5: Describe the domestic architecture in Mohenjodaro.
Ans:

• Houses had courtyards with rooms on all sides.
• Cooking and weaving were done in the courtyard.
• There were no windows along the ground level for privacy concerns.
• The main entrance did not give a direct view of the interior or the courtyard.
• Each house had its bathroom connected to street drains.
• Some houses had wells, often accessible to passers-by.

Q6: Discuss the possible causes for the end of the Harappan civilization.
Ans:

• Possible causes include climatic change, deforestation, excessive floods, earthquakes, epidemics, and the shifting or drying up of rivers.
• The Aryan Invasion Theory suggests the invasion of Aryans as a cause, although evidence for such an invasion is debated among scholars.

Q7: Explain the Harappan system of weights and exchanges.
Ans:

• Harappans regulated exchanges using a system of weights made of chert.
• The shape of the weights was generally cubical with no markings.
• Lower denominations followed the binary system (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, etc.), while higher denominations followed the decimal system.
• Harappans used these weights for trade and other commercial activities.

Q8: Discuss the evidence and theories related to the Aryan Invasion Theory.
Ans:

• The Aryan Invasion Theory suggests that Aryans invaded the Harappan cities, leading to their downfall.
• Evidence includes the presence of Indra, the Aryan war-god, in the Rigveda and possible signs of a massacre at Mohenjodaro.
• Skeptics like George Dales question the evidence of a massacre and the timing of Aryan arrival.
• Aryans are believed to have reached India around 1500 BCE, but the theory's validity remains debated.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1: Describe the process of discovery of the Harappan Civilization. Include the key people and sites involved.
Ans: The discovery of the Harappan Civilization was a gradual process, marked by key findings and contributions from various archaeologists. In 1856, during the construction of a railway line in present-day Pakistan, workers stumbled upon ancient bricks and remains, the first glimpse of the Harappan heritage. However, the significance of these findings was not understood at the time.
The Archaeological Department of India, established in 1861 in Kolkata, played a pivotal role. Alexander Cunningham, known as the father of Indian archaeology, became its first director. Later, John Marshall, who served as the director from 1902 to 1928, oversaw significant discoveries.
Under Marshall's leadership, Dayaram Sahni made a groundbreaking discovery in 1921 at Harappa, the first site of the civilization, leading to its naming. Harappa, located along the River Ravi, revealed the ancient urban planning and artifacts of the Harappan people. Another crucial site was Mohenjodaro, discovered in 1922 by R.D. Banerji, offering insights into the advanced drainage system and social organization of the Harappans.

Q2: Explain the social and cultural aspects of the Harappan civilization during the mature phase, focusing on urban planning, religious beliefs, and trade relations.
Ans: During the mature phase of the Harappan civilization (2600-1900 BCE), several social and cultural aspects thrived:

• Urban Planning: Harappan cities, including Mohenjodaro and Harappa, exhibited meticulous urban planning. Streets intersected at right angles, and houses had courtyards, bathrooms, and drainage systems. Citadels and lower towns reflected hierarchical social structures.
• Religious Beliefs: Harappans practiced diverse religious beliefs. Archaeological findings include mother goddess figurines, the Priest-King statue, fire altars, ritual scenes on seals, and the depiction of the unicorn, possibly a religious symbol. Linga worship and shamans also played a role in their spiritual practices.
• Trade Relations: The Harappans engaged in extensive trade with Mesopotamia, Oman, and Bahrain. Seals, weights, dice, and beads found in these regions attest to their trade connections. The Harappans likely exchanged goods like carnelian, lapis lazuli, copper, gold, and wood products.

Q3: Discuss the factors contributing to the decline of the Harappan civilization. Include both natural and possible human factors in your explanation.
Ans: The decline of the Harappan civilization, one of the most advanced ancient civilizations, is a topic of significant historical debate. Various factors, both natural and human-made, might have contributed to its downfall.

Natural Factors:

• Climatic Changes: Shifts in climate patterns, including prolonged droughts or erratic rainfall, could have led to agricultural failures, impacting food production and causing social stress.
• Deforestation: Extensive deforestation for fuel, construction, and agriculture could have led to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and disrupted water cycles, impacting agricultural productivity.
• Excessive Floods: The fertile plains of the Indus Valley were susceptible to flooding. While floods were essential for soil fertility, excessive or untimely floods might have damaged crops and infrastructure.
• Earthquakes: The region is prone to seismic activities. Earthquakes could have caused widespread destruction of buildings and infrastructure, leading to economic decline.
• Shifting Rivers: Changes in river courses might have disrupted irrigation systems, affecting agricultural output and causing population displacement.

Possible Human Factors:

• Social Unrest: Internal conflicts, disputes over resources, or social inequality might have led to civil unrest, disrupting the harmony within Harappan society.
• Epidemics: Outbreaks of diseases could have devastated populations, leading to a decline in labor force and productivity.
• Decline in Trade: Disruptions in trade relations with neighboring regions could have impacted the economy, especially if key resources were sourced through trade.
• Aryan Migration: While debated, some theories suggest that the arrival of Indo-Aryans might have led to conflicts and the eventual decline of the Harappan cities.

Interaction of Natural and Human Factors:

The decline likely resulted from a combination of these factors. Natural disasters and environmental changes could have created stress within the society, making it vulnerable to social unrest and economic decline. Furthermore, the failure to adapt to changing environmental conditions and the inability to manage resources effectively might have exacerbated the impact of natural disasters.

Q4: Assess the significance of Harappan seals in understanding ancient communication and trade. Explain the process of sealing and its implications for long-distance communication.
Ans: Harappan seals are invaluable artifacts that provide insights into ancient communication, trade practices, and societal structure. The process of sealing was a sophisticated method used for securing goods, identifying owners, and ensuring the integrity of trade transactions. Here's how Harappan seals were significant in understanding ancient communication and trade:

• Identification and Authentication: Harappan seals, usually made of steatite, depicted unique motifs and symbols. Merchants and traders would use these seals to stamp clay or wax, thereby marking goods with their identity. The presence of a seal on a package indicated authenticity and ownership, ensuring trust between parties involved in trade.
• Long-Distance Communication: Harappan seals, often found in regions far from the Indus Valley, demonstrate long-distance trade relations. These seals served as a form of visual communication, allowing individuals who couldn't read or write to understand the sender's identity and origin of goods. They facilitated trade across cultural and linguistic barriers.
• Economic Significance: Sealing was crucial for controlling and regulating trade activities. Merchants could guarantee the quality and authenticity of their goods by sealing them, enhancing the reputation of their products in distant markets. This practice was essential for the growth of trade networks and the economic prosperity of Harappan cities.
• Social Hierarchy: Seals also reflected the social hierarchy of Harappan society. Elaborate seals with intricate designs and larger sizes were likely owned by individuals of higher social status. The presence of seals in various strata of society highlights the importance of trade in shaping social structures and economic activities.