The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation Chapter Notes | Social Studies (SST) Class 6 PDF Download

Introduction

India's most ancient civilization, known as the Harappan, Indus, or Indus-Sarasvati Civilization, was truly impressive in many ways. It demonstrated how a well-balanced community can function, where the differences between the rich and the poor are not very obvious. In essence, the Harappan society was not about 'exploitation' but about mutual 'accommodation.'
Imagine living in a world with amazing cities full of advanced technology, busy markets with traders from faraway places, and a vibrant culture shown through beautiful art and impressive buildings. This is what life was like in a civilisation. Let’s find out what makes a society a civilisation and learn about the interesting path from small villages to big cities in ancient India.

What Is a Civilisation? 

A civilisation is an advanced stage of human society. Here are the key characteristics that define a civilisation:

• Government and Administration: Societies need some form of government to handle the complexities of daily life and organize various activities.
• Urbanism: This refers to the planning and development of towns and cities, including their management. Urbanism often focuses on managing water and creating effective drainage systems.
• Variety of Crafts: Civilizations produce different crafts that involve working with raw materials like stone and metal to create finished items such as jewelry and tools.
• Trade: Civilizations participate in trade within their own regions as well as with far-off places to exchange a range of goods.
• Writing: Having a writing system is crucial for keeping records and facilitating communication.
• Cultural Ideas: Civilizations share cultural beliefs and ideas about life and the universe through various forms of expression, such as art, architecture, literature, oral traditions, and social practices.
• Productive Agriculture: Agriculture needs to be efficient enough to provide food not only for rural areas but also for urban centers.

When Did Civilisation Begin?

• Civilisation, as we understand it today, started at different times in different parts of the world.
• In a region called Mesopotamia(which is now modern-day Iraq and Syria), civilisation began about 6,000 years ago.
• Shortly after that, around a few centuries later, civilisation also started in ancient Egypt.
• These ancient civilisations made huge contributions and advancements that were crucial for humanity to reach its current stage.
• Later on, you will learn more about these and other ancient civilisations in higher grades.
• For now, let’s focus on the Indian Subcontinent, specifically starting with its northwest region.

From Village to City

Can the Indus River provide water to the fields in Punjab and Sindh?

Yes, it can. The Indus River supplies water to the fields in Punjab and Sindh, making the land fertile and ideal for agriculture.

Let Discuss the First Urbanisation of India:

• The large fields of the Punjab (now split between India and Pakistan) and Sindh (currently in Pakistan) receive water from the Indus River and its branches.
• This water supply makes the land rich and suitable for farming.
• Further to the east, thousands of years ago, another river called the Sarasvati flowed from the Himalayas through regions like Haryana, Punjab, parts of Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
• In this entire area, starting around 3500 BCE, small villages developed into towns.
• As trade and other interactions increased, these towns eventually grew into larger cities, a change that occurred around 2600 BCE.
• Archaeologists refer to this ancient civilization using several names: Indus, Harappan, Indus-Sarasvati, or Sindhu-Sarasvati civilization.
• All these names are applicable, and the people living in this civilization are known as Harappans.
• This civilization is recognized as one of the oldest in the world.

Why are the people of this ancient civilization called 'Harappans' today?

• The term 'Harappans' comes from the city of Harappa, which is located in present-day Pakistan's Punjab region.
• Harappa was the first city of this civilization to be excavated or dug up by archaeologists.
• This excavation happened a long time ago, between 1920 and 1921, which is more than a century back.

The Sarasvati River

• The Sarasvati River was an important river shown on maps alongside the Indus and its main tributaries. Ancient cities like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa were built near these rivers. 
• Today, the Sarasvati River is called the Ghaggar in India and the Hakra in Pakistan. It is now a seasonal river, meaning it only flows during the rainy season. 
• The river is first mentioned in the Rig Veda, an old collection of prayers, where it is described as both a goddess and a river flowing from the mountains to the sea. Later texts say the river dried up and eventually disappeared.

Town-Planning

Did Harappa and Mohenjo-daro lead to the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization?

Yes, Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were the first cities discovered in 1924, leading to the identification of the Indus Valley Civilization. Over time, more sites like Dholavira and Rakhigarhi were found, expanding our understanding of this ancient civilization.

Discovery and Expansion of the Indus Valley Civilization:

• Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, found in what is now Pakistan, were the first cities of the Indus Valley Civilization that were discovered, with their identification beginning in 1924.
• The civilization was initially named the Indus Valley Civilization because these cities were some of the first uncovered in the Indus plains.
• As research progressed, other important cities like Dholavira (in Gujarat), Rakhigarhi (in Haryana), and Ganweriwala (in the Cholistan desert of Pakistan) were found, along with many smaller sites such as Lothal in Gujarat.
• Excavations are still ongoing today, helping to uncover more details about this ancient civilization.
• One significant region is the Sarasvati basin, which includes major cities like Rakhigarhi and Ganweriwala, along with smaller sites like Farmana (in Haryana) and Kalibangan (in Rajasthan).
• This area also has towns such as Bhirrana and Banawali, both located in Haryana.
• The high number of these sites in the Sarasvati basin indicates its importance in the Indus Valley Civilization.

Town Planning and Architecture

• The large cities of the Harappan civilization were designed with careful planning. 
• They had wide streets that were often oriented towards the cardinal directions (north, south, east, west). 
• Most cities were surrounded by fortifications. 
• The cities had two main sections: 
  • Upper Town: This area was likely where the local elite lived. 
  • Lower Town: This section was where the common people resided. 
• Some large buildings in these cities served collective purposes, such as warehouses for storing goods that were meant for transportation. 
• The streets were lined with individual houses of different sizes. 
• All the houses were made of bricks and were generally of similar construction quality, regardless of the size of the house. 

The Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro

• One of the structures that people often discuss is the Great Bath in Mohenjo-daro. This is a large tank that measures about 12 x 7 meters. 
• It was constructed using waterproofing materials like natural bitumen and was surrounded by small rooms. One of these rooms had a well. 
• The tank included a drain that allowed it to be emptied and refilled with fresh water. 
• Many theories have been suggested about its purpose, such as: 
  • A public bath for everyone.
  • A private bath for the royal family.
  • A tank for religious rituals.
• However, the idea of it being a public bath has been dismissed because most houses in Mohenjo-daro had their own individual bathrooms, which shows that bathing facilities were available in private homes. 

Water Management

Did the Harappans have advanced water management systems?

Yes! The Harappans had separate bathing areas, drains under streets, and even large reservoirs for water storage and distribution.

Advanced water management in the Harappan Civilization:

• The Harappans placed a high value on water management and cleanliness.
• Their homes often included separate bathing areas that were connected to a larger system of drains running beneath the streets to dispose of wastewater.
• In the city of Mohenjo-daro, residents obtained water from several brick wells.
• In other locations, water sources included ponds, nearby streams, or artificial lakes.
• For example, in Dholavira, which is situated in the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, one of the largest reservoirs was an impressive 73 meters long!
• Dholavira featured at least six large reservoirs, some constructed from stones and others carved out of rock.
• These reservoirs were often connected by underground drains to enable effective water harvesting and distribution.

What Did the Harappans Eat?

• The Harappans established many of their communities near the banks of rivers, both large and small. This was a clever decision as it provided easy access to water and supported agriculture by enriching the soil. 
• Archaeological findings reveal that the Harappans cultivated different types of cereals, including barley, wheat, some millets, and occasionally rice. 
• They also grew pulses and various kinds of vegetables. Notably, they were the first in Eurasia to grow cotton, which they used to make clothing. 
• The Harappans created farming tools, such as the plough, some of which are still in use by farmers today. 
• Large-scale farming was organized through hundreds of small rural sites or villages. Similar to modern times, cities depended on receiving enough agricultural produce from rural areas daily. 
• The Harappans also domesticated animals for meat and engaged in fishing in rivers and the ocean. This is evident from the numerous animal and fish bones discovered during excavations. 
• Scientific research on clay pots has provided insights into what the Harappans cooked. These pots contained typical items like dairy products and unexpected ingredients such as turmeric, ginger, and remnants of bananas. 
• This indicates that their diet was quite varied and diverse! 

A Brisk Trade

• The Harappans were actively engaged in trade both within their own society and with other cultures in India and beyond. 
• They exported various goods, including:
  • Ornaments
  • Timber
  • Everyday items
  • Possibly gold, cotton, and food
• A highly sought-after product was beads made from carnelian, a reddish stone primarily found in Gujarat. 
  • Harappan artisans developed unique methods to drill and embellish these beads.
• They also crafted beautiful bangles from conch shells, which required skilled techniques due to the difficulty of working with shells. 
• It is not entirely clear what the Harappans imported in exchange, but they likely acquired copper, as it was not readily available in their area. 

Trade Routes and Dockyards

• To support trade, the Harappans utilized various routes, including land paths, rivers, and the sea for long-distance exchanges. 
• This period marks the start of significant maritime activity in India. 
• Several Harappan settlements, such as Lothal in Gujarat, were situated near the coast. 
• Lothal featured a large basin that was probably used as a dockyard for loading and unloading goods from ships. 
• The size of this basin was impressive, measuring 217 meters long and 36 meters wide, roughly equivalent to the area of two football fields. 

Trade Seals

• The Harappans utilized small seals made from a soft stone called steatite for managing their extensive trade.
• These seals were only a few centimeters in size.
• Typically, they featured animal figures and various symbols carved into them.
• These symbols are part of an ancient writing system that remains partially understood today.
• The seals likely aided traders in recognizing their goods and identifying one another.
• They played a significant role in the trade activities of the Harappan civilization.

The Harappans and Bronze

• The Harappans were skilled at working with copper, which is a soft metal.
• When tin is added to copper, it creates bronze, a metal that is harder than copper.
• The Harappans used bronze to make various items, including tools, pots, pans, and even some figurines.

The End or a New Beginning?

• Around 1900 BCE, the Sindhu-Sarasvati civilization started to decline, despite its earlier successes. 
• Cities were gradually abandoned, and those who stayed behind began to live in rural areas. 
• It seemed that the original government or leadership was gone, leading to the Harappans spreading out into many small villages. 
• Archaeologists have suggested several reasons for this decline, but initial thoughts of wars or invasions causing destruction were not supported by evidence. 
• There is no proof that the Harappans had a military or weapons, indicating that the civilization was mostly peaceful. 
• Two key reasons are widely accepted for the decline: 
  • Climatic Change: Around 2200 BCE, a global change in climate caused less rainfall and a drier environment, making it hard to grow food and possibly leading to food shortages in the cities. 
  • Drought and River Drying: The Sarasvati River dried up in its central area, which led to the abandonment of cities like Kalibangan and Banawali. 
• Although other factors may have played a role, these two emphasize how much the civilization relied on climate and the environment for its survival. 
• Even though the cities disappeared, a lot of the Harappan culture and technology continued and was passed on to the next stage of Indian civilization. 

Conclusion

The story of the Indus, Harappan, or Sindhu-Sarasvatī civilisation is a tale of remarkable achievements and resilience. Their planned cities, advanced water management systems, vibrant trade networks, and diverse crafts paint a picture of a highly sophisticated society. Even as their cities faded away, the legacy of the Harappans lived on, shaping the future of Indian civilisation. Understanding their journey helps us appreciate the ingenuity and adaptability of our ancestors, reminding us of the incredible human spirit that continues to drive progress today.

Key Words

1. Metallurgy: Includes the techniques of extracting metals from nature, purifying or combining them, as well as the scientific study of metals and their properties.
2. Tributary: A river that flows into a larger river (or lake). For instance, the Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganga.
3. Fortification: A massive wall surrounding a settlement or city, generally for protective purposes. 
4. Elite: Here, the word refers to the higher layers of the society, such as rulers, officials, administrators, and often priests.
5. Reservoir: A large natural or artificial place where water is stored.
6. Pulses: A category of crops that includes beans, peas and lentils (dal).