Source Based Questions: Bricks, Beads and Bones | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Q1: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, was discovered through archaeological efforts. Seals, pottery, and tools have been found at sites such as Harappa and Mohenjodaro, providing insight into the daily life of the Harappans. Archaeologists study these objects to understand the civilization's diet, trade, and social structures, as well as urban planning, craft production, and water management.

i. What role does archaeology play in reconstructing the Harappan civilization? (1 mark)
ii. How does the study of artefacts help in understanding the Harappan society? (1 mark)
iii. What can be inferred about the Harappan society from the discovery of seals and pottery? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Archaeology plays a crucial role in reconstructing the Harappan civilization by providing material evidence such as seals, pottery, and tools.
ii. The study of artefacts helps archaeologists understand daily life, trade, urban planning, and societal structures by analyzing objects used by the Harappans.
iii. The discovery of seals and pottery suggests that the Harappans had a well-organized society with a system of writing, trade, and specific cultural practices. The seals likely served for trade and record-keeping, while pottery reveals insights into their domestic and artistic practices.

Q2: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Mohenjodaro is one of the best-preserved Harappan sites. The city was divided into two sections: the Citadel, which was raised on mud-brick platforms, and the Lower Town, which was the larger residential area. Streets were laid out in a grid pattern, and the city had a carefully planned drainage system, with each house connected to the public drains.

i. What was the layout of Mohenjodaro? (1 mark)
ii. How does the drainage system of Mohenjodaro reflect urban planning? (1 mark)
iii. What does the division of Mohenjodaro into the Citadel and Lower Town suggest about the society? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Mohenjodaro had a grid layout with two sections: the Citadel, raised on mud-brick platforms, and the Lower Town, which was larger and residential.
ii. The drainage system indicates urban planning by ensuring proper sanitation, with every house connected to public drains, showing the city's focus on cleanliness and order.
iii. The division suggests a hierarchical society, with the Citadel likely serving as a center for administration or special functions, while the Lower Town catered to everyday life, indicating a well-organized urban structure.

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Q3: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The Great Bath at Mohenjodaro is a large rectangular tank surrounded by a corridor on all four sides. It was constructed to be watertight with bricks set on edge and gypsum mortar. This unique structure has led many scholars to believe it was used for ritual bathing.

i. What is the Great Bath at Mohenjodaro? (1 mark)
ii. What are the possible functions of the Great Bath? (1 mark)
iii. How does the construction of the Great Bath reflect the Harappans' urban planning and social practices? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. The Great Bath is a large rectangular tank located at Mohenjodaro. It is surrounded by a corridor and was constructed to be watertight using gypsum mortar and bricks.
ii. The Great Bath is likely used for ritual bathing, given its location and the way it was built with such precision.
iii. The construction of the Great Bath reflects advanced urban planning and the importance of ritual or public cleanliness in Harappan society, indicating organized communal activities.

Q4: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Harappan seals and beads have been found at distant regions such as Mesopotamia, Oman, and Bahrain, indicating a wide network of trade. Harappan cities like Mohenjodaro and Harappa exported goods such as carnelian, lapis lazuli, and cotton, establishing connections with distant civilizations.

i. What does the discovery of Harappan seals in distant regions indicate? (1 mark)
ii. How did the Harappans benefit from long-distance trade? (1 mark)
iii. Give two examples of materials traded by the Harappans, and explain their significance. (2 marks)

Ans:
i. The discovery of Harappan seals in distant regions indicates that the Harappans had an extensive trade network.
ii. The Harappans benefited from long-distance trade by acquiring valuable materials like lapis lazuli and spreading their goods, fostering cultural and economic exchanges.
iii. Two examples of materials traded are carnelian (used for making beads) and lapis lazuli (a prized stone). These materials highlight the Harappans' skill in craftsmanship and their role in a broader economic system.

Q5: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

At Harappan burial sites, some graves contained pottery, ornaments, and copper mirrors. However, there were no large-scale burial practices, and it appears that Harappans did not bury significant wealth with the deceased. This has led archaeologists to question the social structure of Harappan society.

i. What does the absence of lavish burial practices suggest about Harappan society? (1 mark)
ii. How do burial practices help in understanding social differences? (1 mark)
iii. What can be inferred about the Harappans' beliefs regarding death and the afterlife? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. The absence of lavish burial practices suggests that Harappan society may not have had a pronounced social hierarchy, or they may have viewed death differently than other ancient civilizations.
ii. Burial practices help archaeologists understand social differences by analyzing the goods buried with individuals. Differences in the richness of burials could indicate the social status of the deceased.
iii. The lack of significant wealth buried with the dead may indicate that Harappans did not associate material wealth with the afterlife, or they had different beliefs regarding life after death compared to other ancient societies.

Q6: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The Harappans were skilled in crafting various objects. They produced beads, pottery, and textiles, often using specialized techniques. Harappan cities like Chanhudaro are known for their bead-making workshops. Archaeological findings suggest that the Harappans had a highly organized system of craft production, with raw materials being sourced from distant regions.

i. What does the discovery of craft workshops like those at Chanhudaro reveal about Harappan society? (1 mark)
ii. How did the Harappans organize their craft production? (1 mark)
iii. What role did long-distance trade play in Harappan craft production? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. The discovery of craft workshops reveals that the Harappans had a high level of specialised craftsmanship and established organised production systems.
ii. The Harappans likely organized their craft production through workshops dedicated to specific crafts, such as bead-making, with skilled artisans working in these specialized areas.
iii. Long-distance trade provided access to raw materials like lapis lazuli and carnelian, which were essential for Harappan craft production, allowing them to create highly valued goods for trade.

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Q7: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The Harappan economy was largely based on agriculture, supplemented by trade and craft production. Evidence suggests that they grew crops like wheat, barley, and cotton, while their trade networks connected them with regions as far as Mesopotamia. Harappan goods, such as beads, cotton, and metal products, were exchanged for luxury items like lapis lazuli.

i. What was the primary basis of the Harappan economy? (1 mark)
ii. How did trade influence the Harappan economy? (1 mark)
iii. What role did agriculture and craft production play in the Harappan economy? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. The primary basis of the Harappan economy was agriculture, with crops such as wheat, barley, and cotton forming the foundation of their livelihood.
ii. Trade influenced the Harappan economy by providing access to luxury items like lapis lazuli and facilitating the exchange of local products such as beads and cotton.
iii. Agriculture provided food resources, while craft production, particularly of beads and textiles, supported trade and contributed to the economy by generating wealth and promoting cultural exchange.

Q8: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Harappan cities like Mohenjodaro had sophisticated water management systems. The city had wells in every house, as well as large reservoirs and public baths. The focus on water conservation and sanitation suggests the Harappans had a thorough understanding of water management.

i. What evidence suggests the Harappans had advanced water management systems? (1 mark)
ii. How did the water management system in Mohenjodaro reflect Harappan engineering skills? (1 mark)
iii. What can we infer about Harappan society from their focus on water management and sanitation? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Evidence such as wells in every house, large reservoirs, and public baths indicates the Harappans had advanced water management systems.
ii. The sophisticated design of the water management system, including public baths and wells, showcases Harappan engineering skills in ensuring proper sanitation and water access for urban residents.
iii. The focus on water management suggests that the Harappans valued cleanliness, public health, and urban planning, indicating a society that prioritized well-being and had an organized approach to city infrastructure.

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Q9: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Harappan society appears to have been highly organized, with evidence suggesting a form of urban planning and specialized professions. Archaeological findings indicate that there were specific areas dedicated to craft production, while others were used for residential purposes. The uniformity of weights and measures also suggests standardized systems across the civilization.

i. What does the uniformity of weights and measures indicate about Harappan society? (1 mark)
ii. How does the division of space within Harappan cities reflect social organization? (1 mark)
iii. What can we infer about the Harappan social structure based on the evidence of specialized professions and urban planning? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. The uniformity of weights and measures indicates that Harappan society had standardized systems for trade and commerce, ensuring consistency across different regions.
ii. The division of space within Harappan cities reflects a well-organized society, with specific areas designated for specialized activities like craft production, highlighting a system of zoning for various functions.
iii. The evidence suggests that the Harappan social structure was organized, with a division of labor and specialized professions, including artisans and traders, supported by urban planning and a structured economy.

Q10: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The decline of the Harappan Civilization remains a mystery. Various theories have been proposed, including climate change, a shift in river courses, and invasions. Archaeological evidence shows that cities like Mohenjodaro were abandoned gradually, with signs of decline visible in the later layers of the city's ruins.

i. What are some theories about the decline of the Harappan Civilization? (1 mark)
ii. How does the gradual abandonment of cities like Mohenjodaro support these theories? (1 mark)
iii. What could the evidence of decline in Harappan cities tell us about the civilization's collapse? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Some theories about the decline of the Harappan Civilization include climate change, shifts in river courses, and invasions.
ii. The gradual abandonment of cities like Mohenjodaro supports these theories, as it suggests a slow deterioration, likely caused by environmental or socio-political factors.
iii. The evidence of decline in Harappan cities suggests that the civilization faced significant challenges, possibly related to resource scarcity, environmental changes, or internal disruptions, which led to its eventual collapse.