GRADE 6 • HISTORY • MAHARASHTRA BOARD
HARAPPAN CIVILISATION
QUESTION SET – 2
Chapter 3
Instructions:
- Read all the questions carefully.
- Answer the questions as instructed.
- Use the textbook content while answering the questions.
Q.1 A) Select the correct option from the given alternatives.
[5]
1.
The initial phase of village settlements within the Harappan Civilisation is known as:
2.
Which of the following was a distinctive feature of the Harappan Civilisation?
3.
The ratio of a typical Harappan brick was:
4.
Which crop was one of the principal crops of the Harappan people?
5.
Which Harappan site served as a significant port?
Q.1 B) Write whether the following statements are True or False.
[5]
1.
The houses of Harappan people were mainly built using baked bricks.
2.
The Citadel was constructed on low-lying ground.
3.
Harappan people used cotton and silk garments.
4.
Harappan people were unfamiliar with sailing.
5.
Harappan seals were used primarily for trade purposes.
Q.2 A) Complete the concept map.
[3]
Social Life of the
Harappan People
Harappan People
Q.2 B) Answer in brief.
[8]
1.
What made the walls of Harappan houses exceptionally strong and durable?
2.
Why were baked earthen conduits used in Harappan houses?
3.
What was the Citadel?
4.
What was the importance of the Great Bath at Mohenjodaro?
Q.3) Answer the following.
[8]
1.
Describe the arrangement of houses in the Harappan cities.
2.
What food items formed the staple diet of the Harappan people?
3.
What materials were used by Harappan people for making beads?
4.
What types of objects were made by Harappan artisans?
Q.4) Answer the following questions based on the map provided in the lesson.
[4]
1.
Name the Harappan site shown on the map near the Arabian Sea and known for its dockyard.
2.
Name the Harappan site shown on the map in Haryana.
3.
Name the Harappan site shown on the map in Uttar Pradesh.
4.
Name the Harappan site shown on the map in Jammu and Kashmir.
Q.5) Write detailed answers to the following questions.
[12]
1.
Describe the drainage system of the Harappan houses and streets.
2.
Explain the occupations and trade practices of the Harappan people.
3.
Explain how changes in the river course, natural calamities and decline in trade affected the Harappan Civilisation.
Activity
1.
Observe the Harappan seal shown in the lesson. It shows a mythical creature with one horn. Have you ever seen any such mythical creature on any object or structure?
2.
Find out the names of Harappan cities. What was the nature of those cities? Which artefacts were found? What commodities were traded? Write it down.
GRADE 6 • HISTORY • MAHARASHTRA BOARD
SOLUTION
HARAPPAN CIVILISATION
QUESTION SET – 2
Complete Solutions • Chapter 3
Q.1 A) Select the correct option from the given alternatives.
[5]
1. The initial phase of village settlements within the Harappan Civilisation is known as:
Ans. B) Early Harappan Period.
2. Which of the following was a distinctive feature of the Harappan Civilisation?
Ans. C) High-quality pottery.
3. The ratio of a typical Harappan brick was:
Ans. C) 1:2:4.
4. Which crop was one of the principal crops of the Harappan people?
Ans. A) Wheat.
5. Which Harappan site served as a significant port?
Ans. B) Lothal.
Q.1 B) Write whether the following statements are True or False.
[5]
1. The houses of Harappan people were mainly built using baked bricks.
Ans. True.
2. The Citadel was constructed on low-lying ground.
Ans. False.
3. Harappan people used cotton and silk garments.
Ans. True.
4. Harappan people were unfamiliar with sailing.
Ans. False.
5. Harappan seals were used primarily for trade purposes.
Ans. True.
Q.2 A) Complete the concept map.
[3]
Ans.
Characteristics of Harappan Social Life
- Town planning
- Well-planned roads
- Well-built houses
- Excellent drainage system
- Seals bearing inscriptions
- High-quality pottery and various types of toys
Q.2 B) Answer in brief.
[8]
1. What made the walls of Harappan houses exceptionally strong and durable?
Ans. The Harappan people used the ‘English Bond’ masonry method. In this method, two headers and two stretchers were used alternately. This made the walls exceptionally strong and durable.
2. Why were baked earthen conduits used in Harappan houses?
Ans. Baked earthen conduits were used to drain waste water out of every house.
3. What was the Citadel?
Ans. The Citadel was the section at the north-west of the city, constructed on elevated ground. It was likely that administrators resided in the Citadel.
4. What was the importance of the Great Bath at Mohenjodaro?
Ans. The Great Bath at Mohenjodaro is a unique example of Harappan architecture. Some scholars are of the opinion that some religious rituals were performed within the Great Bath complex and its immediate vicinity.
Q.3) Answer the following.
[8]
1. Describe the arrangement of houses in the Harappan cities.
Ans. The streets in Harappan cities were broad and laid out in a grid pattern. Houses were built in the rectangular blocks created by them. The cities were generally divided into two or more sections. The section at the north-west was constructed on elevated ground and was called the Citadel. The section at the south of the Citadel was occupied by common residents.
2. What food items formed the staple diet of the Harappan people?
Ans. Wheat, barley, peas, sesame seeds, finger millet (Ragi), lentils and various types of pulses formed the staple diet of the people. Archaeological evidence suggests that milk, meat and fish were also consumed in certain regions.
3. What materials were used by Harappan people for making beads?
Ans. They made beads using clay, colourful semi-precious stones, shells, copper, silver and gold.
4. What types of objects were made by Harappan artisans?
Ans. Harappan artisans made various types of objects from iron, bronze, clay and gold, as well as weaving textiles. They also produced exquisite pottery.
Q.4) Answer the following questions based on the map provided in the lesson.
[4]
1. Name the Harappan site shown on the map near the Arabian Sea and known for its dockyard.
Ans. Lothal.
2. Name the Harappan site shown on the map in Haryana.
Ans. Rakhigarhi.
3. Name the Harappan site shown on the map in Uttar Pradesh.
Ans. Alamgirpur.
4. Name the Harappan site shown on the map in Jammu and Kashmir.
Ans. Manda.
Q.5) Write detailed answers to the following questions.
[12]
1. Describe the drainage system of the Harappan houses and streets.
Ans. The systems for water supply and waste water disposal were exceptionally efficient. Baked earthen conduits were utilized to drain waste water out of every house. The street drains were constructed using bricks and were kept properly covered. This demonstrates the high degree of awareness the Harappan people possessed regarding public health.
2. Explain the occupations and trade practices of the Harappan people.
Ans. The people of the Harappan Civilisation practised agriculture and cultivated a variety of crops. Wheat and barley were their principal crops. The people were familiar with cotton. Harappan artisans were engaged in various occupations, such as making various types of objects from iron, bronze, clay and gold, as well as weaving textiles. They produced exquisite pottery. They were familiar with sailing, which enabled them to conduct long-distance trade. They traded in beads, jewellery, pottery and cotton. In exchange, they imported metals, precious stones and other commodities. Faience and long carnelian beads played a significant role in the Harappan export. This trade brought economic prosperity to the Harappan civilisation.
3. Explain how changes in the river course, natural calamities and decline in trade affected the Harappan Civilisation.
Ans. Changes in the course of the river might be a major cause responsible for the decline. Perhaps a shift in the river’s course led to water scarcity, which in turn adversely affected agriculture and daily life. Another reason might be natural calamities such as massive floods, droughts, or earthquakes. Around 2300 BCE, trade with the Sumerian civilisation began to slow down, causing the beginning of the decline of Harappan civilisation. Political instability in Mesopotamia had an adverse impact on the trade of the Harappan Civilisation. Consequently, 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 toward smaller villages.
Activity — Answers
1.
Ans. The mythical creature shown on the Harappan seal is a unicorn.
2.
Ans. Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Kalibangan, Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Banawali and Chanhudaro are some prominent Harappan sites. The Harappan cities were highly organised and disciplined, with town planning, well-planned roads, well-built houses and excellent drainage systems. Artifacts included seals, high-quality pottery, toys, ornaments and various objects made by artisans. They traded in beads, jewellery, pottery and cotton and imported metals, precious stones and other commodities.