Answer: True
Answer: False
Answer: True
Harappan Civilisation
1. The Great Bath at Mohenjodaro
The Great Bath at Mohenjodaro is a unique example of Harappan architecture. It consists of a large water tank measuring approximately 12 metres in length, 7 metres in width and 2.5 metres in depth. It was constructed using baked bricks. A special technique was employed to regulate the inflow and outflow of water in the tank. The tank was surrounded by a series of small rooms. Some scholars are of the opinion that some religious rituals were performed within the Great Bath complex and its immediate vicinity.
2. Clothing style and Ornaments of Harappan people
Harappan people used cotton and silk garments. Based on archaeological evidence, both men and women used a knee-length skirt and an upper garment. The people of the Harappan Civilisation were highly skilled in crafting ornaments. They made beads using clay, colourful semi-precious stones, shells, copper, silver and gold. They used ornaments like necklaces, earrings, armbands, bangles, rings and waistbands.
3. Arts and Entertainment in Harappan civilisation
The people of the Harappan civilisation were skilled artisans. They created numerous beautiful objects using clay, metals and precious stones. A bronze figurine discovered from the Harappan civilisation is famously known as the ‘Dancing Girl’. In addition to this, the Harappan people created animal figurines, toys and seals. A distinctive statue discovered at Mohenjodaro is identified as the ‘Priest-King’. Toys recovered during archaeological excavations were made of clay and included animal figurines such as bulls, dogs and elephants as well as wheeled carts, spinning tops and whistles.
1. Explain how the systematic town planning of the Harappan Civilisation can serve as a model for the planning of modern-day cities.
The Harappan cities had systematic town planning. Their streets were broad and laid out in a grid pattern. Houses were built in rectangular blocks. The cities were generally divided into two or more sections and each section had a separate fortification wall. The Citadel was constructed on elevated ground. The houses had a central courtyard surrounded by rooms, along with a well and a toilet. The systems for water supply and waste water disposal were exceptionally efficient. Baked earthen conduits were used to drain waste water out of every house. Street drains were constructed using bricks and were properly covered. These features show that the Harappan town planning gave importance to organised construction, water management, drainage and public health. Therefore, these features can serve as a model for planning modern-day cities.
2. Why did the Harappan economy decline?
Changes in the course of the river might have been a major cause. A shift in the river’s course may have led to water scarcity, which adversely affected agriculture and daily life. Natural calamities such as massive floods, droughts and earthquakes might also have contributed to the decline. Around 2300 BCE, trade with the Sumerian civilisation began to slow down. After the era of Sargon, political instability emerged in Mesopotamia and adversely affected Harappan trade. The trade that had flourished during Sargon’s time gradually came to a halt. As a result, the economy of the Harappan cities was endangered. Trade declined and people began migrating from the cities towards smaller villages.
1. Create replica of an excavated site of the Harappan Civilisation.
A model of a Harappan city can be prepared showing broad roads arranged in a grid pattern, rectangular blocks of houses, a Citadel, wells, covered drains and a planned drainage system. The model can also show houses made of baked bricks and the water management system of the city.
2. Compare the road plans in your locality with the Harappan road plans.
The roads in my locality are used for transport and connect houses, shops and other places. The Harappan cities had broad roads arranged in a grid pattern, with houses built in rectangular blocks. The Harappans also had a well-planned drainage system along their roads. Thus, both have roads planned for easy movement, but the Harappan cities were especially well organised with systematic road planning and drainage.
Create a model of a well-planned Harappan city using cardboard, clay, coloured paper or other suitable materials.
The model can show:
- Well-planned cities.
- Houses built using baked bricks.
- Broad roads arranged in a grid pattern.
- The Citadel constructed on elevated ground.
- Water management systems.
- Covered street drains.
- Proper drainage systems.
Label the important parts of the model clearly and present it in class.
The ‘Sant Gadgebaba Gram Swachhata Abhiyan’ is a cleanliness campaign of the Government of Maharashtra. Students can collect information about the campaign from the Government of Maharashtra website and prepare a short presentation for the class.
The presentation can include the name of the campaign, its purpose, cleanliness activities carried out in villages and the importance of maintaining cleanliness and sanitation.
https://water.maharashtra.gov.in/en/scheme/sant-gadgebaba-gram-swachhta-abhiyan/