GRADE 6 • HISTORY
QUESTION PAPER
Chapter 3 – Harappan Civilisation
Question Set 4
Instructions:
Answer all questions. Write the answers neatly and in complete sentences wherever required.
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. The Mature Harappan Period lasted approximately from:
3. The section constructed on elevated ground in Harappan cities was called:
4. Which of the following was a significant port during the Harappan period?
5. The bronze figurine famously known as the ‘Dancing Girl’ belongs to:
Q.1 B) Write whether the following statements are True or False.
[5]
1. The Early Harappan Period lasted approximately from 3300 to 2600 BCE.
2. The Late Harappan Period was the most flourishing period of the Harappan Civilisation.
3. Harappan cities had broad streets laid out in a grid pattern.
4. Harappan people were unfamiliar with sailing.
5. Changes in the course of the river might have been a major cause responsible for the decline of the Harappan Civilisation.
Q.2 A) Complete the following statements.
[4]
1. Harappan settlements were established along the __________.
2. The houses of Harappan people were mainly built using __________.
3. Wheat and barley were the __________ crops of the Harappan people.
4. The Great Bath is located at __________.
Q.2 B) Answer in brief.
[6]
1. Why were Harappan settlements established along the riverbanks?
2. What were the important features of the streets in Harappan cities?
3. What ornaments were used by the people of the Harappan Civilisation?
Q.3) Answer the following.
[8]
1. What made the Mature Harappan Period the most flourishing period of the Harappan Civilisation?
2. Describe the food habits of the Harappan people.
3. What were the occupations of the Harappan people?
4. What was the significance of Lothal during the Harappan period?
Q.4) Give reasons.
[6]
1. The systems for water supply and waste water disposal in Harappan cities were exceptionally efficient.
2. Harappan artisans were highly skilled.
3. The decline in trade affected the economy of the Harappan cities.
Q.5) Answer in detail.
[6]
1. Explain the three successive phases of the Harappan Civilisation.
2. Explain the important causes responsible for the decline of the Harappan Civilisation.
GRADE 6 • HISTORY
SOLUTION
HARAPPAN CIVILISATION
Question Set 4
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. The Mature Harappan Period lasted approximately from:
Ans. B) 2600 to 1900 BCE
3. The section constructed on elevated ground in Harappan cities was called:
Ans. B) Citadel
4. Which of the following was a significant port during the Harappan period?
Ans. B) Lothal
5. The bronze figurine famously known as the ‘Dancing Girl’ belongs to:
Ans. A) Harappan Civilisation
Q.1 B) Write whether the following statements are True or False.
[5]
1. The Early Harappan Period lasted approximately from 3300 to 2600 BCE.
Ans. True.
2. The Late Harappan Period was the most flourishing period of the Harappan Civilisation.
Ans. False.
3. Harappan cities had broad streets laid out in a grid pattern.
Ans. True.
4. Harappan people were unfamiliar with sailing.
Ans. False.
5. Changes in the course of the river might have been a major cause responsible for the decline of the Harappan Civilisation.
Ans. True.
Q.2 A) Complete the following statements.
[4]
1. Harappan settlements were established along the __________.
Ans. riverbanks
2. The houses of Harappan people were mainly built using __________.
Ans. baked bricks
3. Wheat and barley were the __________ crops of the Harappan people.
Ans. principal
4. The Great Bath is located at __________.
Ans. Mohenjodaro
Q.2 B) Answer in brief.
[6]
1. Why were Harappan settlements established along the riverbanks?
Ans. The riverbanks provided availability of water, fertile land and a system of transport. All these factors helped in establishing Harappan settlements along the riverbanks.
2. What were the important features of the streets in Harappan cities?
Ans. The streets in Harappan cities were broad and laid out in a grid pattern.
3. What ornaments were used by the people of the Harappan Civilisation?
Ans. They used ornaments like necklaces, earrings, armbands, bangles, rings and waistbands.
Q.3) Answer the following.
[8]
1. What made the Mature Harappan Period the most flourishing period of the Harappan Civilisation?
Ans. During the Mature Harappan Period, significant developments occurred in urban planning, administration, trade and handicrafts and sculpture. Major centres of the civilisation such as Mohenjodaro, Harappa, Dholavira and Lothal flourished during this period.
2. Describe the food habits 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. Earthen pottery was used for cooking.
3. What were the occupations of the Harappan people?
Ans. The people of the Harappan Civilisation practised agriculture and cultivated a variety of crops. 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 also familiar with sailing.
4. What was the significance of Lothal during the Harappan period?
Ans. During the Harappan period Lothal served as a significant port. A massive dockyard was discovered at this site. The trade of the Harappan civilisation extended along the coast of the Arabian Sea, reaching as far as the Persian Gulf.
Q.4) Give reasons.
[6]
1. The systems for water supply and waste water disposal in Harappan cities were exceptionally efficient.
Ans. 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 their high degree of awareness regarding public health.
2. Harappan artisans were highly skilled.
Ans. The people of the Harappan civilisation were skilled artisans. They created numerous beautiful objects using clay, metals and precious stones. They created animal figurines, toys and seals. They also produced exquisite pottery and ornaments.
3. The decline in trade affected the economy of the Harappan cities.
Ans. Political instability emerged in Mesopotamia following the era of Sargon. This had an adverse impact on the trade of the Harappan Civilisation. Consequently, the trade gradually came to a halt. As a result, the economy of the Harappan cities was endangered.
Q.5) Answer in detail.
[6]
1. Explain the three successive phases of the Harappan Civilisation.
Ans.
- Early Harappan Period: The initial phase of village settlements within the Harappan Civilisation is known as the Early Harappan Period. It lasted approximately from 3300 to 2600 BCE. During this period, a gradual transition from villages to cities took place, marking the beginning of the process of urbanisation.
- Mature Harappan Period: The Mature Harappan Period lasted approximately from 2600 to 1900 BCE. It is considered the most flourishing period of the Harappan Civilisation. Significant developments occurred in urban planning, administration, trade and handicrafts and sculpture.
- Late Harappan Period: The Late Harappan Period lasted approximately from 1900 to 1300 BCE. It marks the phase when the Harappan Civilisation gradually began to decline. Its major centres were destroyed or abandoned.
2. Explain the important causes responsible for the decline of the Harappan Civilisation.
Ans.
- Changes in the course of the river might have been a major cause responsible for the decline.
- A shift in the river’s course perhaps led to water scarcity, which adversely affected agriculture and daily life.
- Natural calamities such as massive floods, droughts or earthquakes might also have been responsible.
- 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, trade gradually came to a halt and the economy of the Harappan cities was endangered.