Class 6 History Chapter 3 Case Based Questions - In the Earliest Cities

Case 1: The Discovery of Harappa

In the late 19th century, engineers working on railway lines in what is now Pakistan stumbled upon the ancient city of Harappa. Unaware of its historical significance, they used bricks from its buildings for railway construction, unknowingly destroying part of the city's heritage. It wasn't until about 80 years ago that archaeologists recognized Harappa as one of the oldest cities in the Indian subcontinent.

Q1: What event led to the accidental discovery of Harappa by engineers?
Ans: Engineers discovered Harappa while laying railway lines in the late 19th century.

Q2: How did the use of bricks from Harappa's buildings impact its historical remains?
Ans: The use of Harappan bricks for railway construction resulted in the unintentional destruction of many ancient buildings.

Q3: When did archaeologists identify Harappa as one of the oldest cities in the subcontinent?
Ans: Archaeologists identified Harappa as one of the oldest cities in the subcontinent about 80 years ago.

Q4: What was the significance of the Great Bath in Mohenjodaro, another Harappan city?
Ans: The Great Bath in Mohenjodaro was a special tank on the citadel, used for bathing and possibly rituals.

Q5: Describe the common features of the Harappan cities, including their architectural characteristics.
Ans: Harappan cities were known for well-baked brick walls and distinct citadel-lower town divisions.

Case 2: Life in Harappan Cities

Harappan cities were known for their advanced urban planning and infrastructure. The houses, drainage systems, and streets were meticulously designed. People in these cities engaged in various crafts, trade, and agriculture. Scribes played a vital role in preparing seals and possibly writing.

Q6: What were the key features of houses in Harappan cities, and how were they structured?
Ans: Harappan houses were typically one or two stories high, with courtyards.

Q7: Explain the significance of covered drains in Harappan cities. How were they maintained?
Ans: Covered drains were crucial for sanitation and connected to street drains.

Q8: What roles did scribes play in Harappan society, and what might they have written on?
Ans: Scribes in Harappan cities likely prepared seals and possibly wrote on various materials.

Q9: Describe the types of crafts that were practiced in Harappan cities.
Ans: Crafts included metalwork, pottery, bead-making, and textile production.

Q10: How did agriculture support the urban population of Harappan cities, and what crops were grown?
Ans: Agriculture supported the population with crops like wheat, barley, and more.

Case 3: Raw Materials and Trade

The Harappans relied on a variety of raw materials for their crafts and daily life. They used locally available resources and also engaged in long-distance trade to acquire materials like copper, tin, gold, silver, and precious stones.

Q11: What are raw materials, and why are they essential in early civilizations?
Ans: Raw materials are substances used naturally or processed to create finished goods.

Q12: Explain the significance of copper, tin, gold, and silver in Harappan society.
Ans: Copper, tin, gold, silver, and precious stones were vital in Harappan society.

Q13: Where might the Harappans have sourced these valuable raw materials?
Ans: Copper may have come from present-day Rajasthan and Oman, tin from Afghanistan and Iran, and gold from Karnataka.

Q14: How did the acquisition of raw materials through trade contribute to the development of Harappan cities?
Ans: Long-distance trade provided essential materials for crafts and daily life.

Q15: What do the objects made from stone, shell, and metal reveal about the skills of Harappan craftspersons?
Ans: Objects made of stone, shell, and metal showcase Harappan craftspersons' skills.

Case 4: Food Production in Harappan Cities

Harappan cities were supported by the agricultural activities of farmers and herders in the surrounding countryside. These people grew various crops and raised livestock to supply food to the urban population.

Q16: What crops were grown by the Harappans, and how did they use a new tool, the plough?
Ans: The Harappans grew crops like wheat, barley, pulses, and sesame, using ploughs.

Q17: Describe the role of cattle, sheep, goat, and buffalo in the Harappan diet and economy.
Ans: Livestock, including cattle, sheep, goat, and buffalo, played a significant role in their diet and economy.

Q18: How did the Harappans ensure a stable supply of water for their agricultural needs?
Ans: Irrigation and the use of ploughs ensured a stable water supply for agriculture.

Q19: Explain the importance of the plough in Harappan agriculture.
Ans: The plough was a crucial tool in Harappan agriculture.

Q20: What other sources of food, besides crops and livestock, did the Harappans rely on?
Ans: Besides crops and livestock, the Harappans collected fruits, caught fish, and hunted wild animals.

Case 5: The Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization

Around 3900 years ago, a significant transformation occurred in the Indus Valley Civilization. People stopped living in cities, abandoned writing, and experienced a decline in the use of certain raw materials. This period of change raised many questions about what led to the decline of this once-flourishing civilization.

Q21: What were the major changes that occurred around 3900 years ago in the Indus Valley Civilization?
Ans: Around 3900 years ago, people stopped living in cities, abandoned writing, and saw a decline in raw material usage.

Q22: How did environmental factors like rivers and deforestation possibly contribute to the decline?
Ans: Environmental factors like river drying and deforestation possibly contributed to the decline.

Q23: What are some indicators of the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization, as seen in Mohenjodaro?
Ans: Mohenjodaro showed signs of decline with garbage accumulation and deteriorating drainage systems.

Q24: How did the loss of control by rulers impact the civilization's fate?
Ans: The loss of control by rulers may have played a role in the civilization's decline.

Q25: Where did people from abandoned areas in Sind and west Punjab move to, and what were the characteristics of these new settlements?
Ans: People from abandoned areas in Sind and west Punjab moved to newer, smaller settlements to the east and south.