Short Questions: In the Earliest Cities | NCERT Summary: UPSC PDF Download

Q1: Describe the drain-system of the Harappans.
Ans: In cities related with the Harappan civilisation, each drain had a gentle slope so that water could flow through it. Very often, drains in houses were connected to those in streets and smaller drains led to bigger ones. As the drains were covered, inspection holes were provided at intervals to clean them. All three (i.e., drains, houses and streets) were probably planned and built at the same time.

Q2: Write a short note on ‘The Cattle Rearing of the HarappAnswer:’
Ans: The Cattle Rearing

• The Harappans reared cattle, sheep, goat, and buffalo.
• Water and pasture was available around settlements,
• In the dry summer months, large herds of animals were probably taken to greater distances in search of grass and water.

Q3: Where do we find early cities of the Indian subcontinent? What unique objects have been found by Archaeologists in these cities?
Ans: The early cities of the Indian subcontinent are found in present-day Pakistan, and in India. In India these are found in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Western parts of U.P. and Punjab.
Archaeologists have found a set of unique objects in almost all these cities:

• Red pottery painted with designs in black,
• Stone Weights,
• Seals with writing,
• Special beads,
• Copper tools, and
• Long stone blades.

Q4: Give one word for each of the following terms or sentences:
(i) Stage when the culture of a country or region is developed and advanced.
(ii) Clay tablets and idols.
(iii) A place where surplus grains were stored.
(iv) A place where ships were loaded, unloaded and repaired.
Ans: (i) Civilisation,
(ii) Terracotta,
(iii) Grainaries,
(iv) Dockyard.

Q5: What did the people of Harappan civilization grow?
Ans: Barley, wheat, rice, peas, mustard, linseed, and sesame were grown by the Harappans.

Q6: What were the uses of Harappan seals?
Ans: An inscription was found on a Harappan seal. This inscription depicted an animal associated with a marshy, wet area. Rhinoceros, elephants, and tigers were among the animals that were placed.

Q7: List the main sites of Harappan civilization.
Ans: The following are the major Harappan civilization sites:-

• Dholavira – Gujarat: The Archeological Survey of India excavated Dholavira on the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat in 1967, and it belonged to the mature Harappan phase.
• Khadir Bet – Rann of kutch: Dholavira is situated on Khadir Beyt, an island in Gujarat's Great Rann of Kutch.
• Lothal – Besides the tributary of Sabarmati: The archaeological remnants of the Harappa port-town of Lothal may be found in the Gulf of Khambhat, along the Bhogava river, a tributary of the Sabarmati.

Q8: Describe about the roads in Indus Valley Civilization
Ans: The Indus Valley civilization had vast highways. They used to cut each other at a straight angle in the corners. There was a drainage system alongside the highways for the residents of the Indus Valley Civilization to pass used water. To prevent any accidents, the drainage system was completely covered.

Q9: What were the salient features of Indus Valley Civilization?
Ans: Baked bricks were used to construct buildings during the Indus Valley Civilization. These structures were well-built, and the bricks were covered in natural tar plaster to make them more secure and long-lasting. The bricks were laid out in an interlocking manner, resulting in stronger walls.

Q10: What were the features of great bath?
Ans: Interlocking baked bricks were used to construct the huge bath. To preserve it from dust and water, it was eventually coated with a natural tar plaster.

Q11: In Mehrgarh, when was cotton first used?
Ans: Cotton was first farmed in the village of Mehrgarh some 7000 years ago. In Mehrgarh, agricultural activities were also carried out for the first time.

Q12: Which metals were mainly used to make tools in the earlier cities?
Ans: Tools were mostly made up of four different metals. Weapons, pots, jewellery, and tools were all made out of bronze and copper. Vessels and jewellery were usually made of silver and gold.

Q13: Why Lothal was an important site of Harappan civilization?
Ans: To comprehend the significance of Lothal in Harappan culture, consider the following factors:-

• This location had an abundance of semi-precious stone raw resources.
• Stone, metal, and shell objects were created and exported.
• There were factories that made tools and other products in this area.

Q14: Write the important architectural features of Dholavira.
Ans: Dholavira was situated in the Rann of Kutch, which is now part of Gujarat. Dholavira's land was extremely fertile. Unlike many other ancient ruins, it was divided into three sections rather than two. There were entrance gates and enormous stone walls in each section. There was a vast open area where public ceremonies may possibly be held.