Harappan Civilisation
Chapter 3 · Maharashtra Board · Textbook Page 18
Location and Extent
Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Kalibangan, Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Banawali, Chanhudaro are some of the prominent Harappan sites. The geographical extent of this civilisation covered an area of approximately 1.5 million square kilometers. The Harappan Civilisation extended from Manda in Jammu and Kashmir in the north, to Dholavira and Lothal in Gujarat and further upto Daimabad in Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra. The Harappan Civilisation reached as far as Balochistan (in present-day Pakistan) to the west, while to the east, its extent reached Alamgirpur in Uttar Pradesh. Trade with distant regions was a primary factor contributing to the widespread expansion of the Harappan Civilisation.
Simple Explanation
The Harappan Civilisation had many important sites. Some of the prominent sites mentioned here are Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Kalibangan, Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Banawali and Chanhudaro.
The civilisation covered a very large geographical area. Its total extent was approximately 1.5 million square kilometres.
In the north, the civilisation extended up to Manda in Jammu and Kashmir.
It extended to Dholavira and Lothal in Gujarat and further reached Daimabad in Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra.
Towards the west, the Harappan Civilisation reached as far as Balochistan, which is in present-day Pakistan.
Towards the east, the civilisation extended up to Alamgirpur in Uttar Pradesh.
The Harappan Civilisation also had trade with distant regions. This trade was an important factor in the widespread expansion of the civilisation.
| Meanings | Marathi Arth | Hindi Arth |
|---|---|---|
| Prominent — important or well-known | प्रमुख / प्रसिद्ध | प्रमुख / प्रसिद्ध |
| Geographical extent — the area covered by something | भौगोलिक विस्तार | भौगोलिक विस्तार |
| Approximately — nearly or about | अंदाजे / सुमारे | लगभग / करीब |
| Extended — spread over an area | विस्तारित झाले | विस्तारित हुआ |
| Regions — areas or parts of a country | प्रदेश | क्षेत्र / प्रदेश |
| Distant — far away | दूरचे | दूरस्थ |
| Trade — buying, selling or exchanging goods | व्यापार | व्यापार |
| Primary factor — main or important reason | प्रमुख घटक | मुख्य कारक |
| Widespread — spread over a large area | मोठ्या प्रमाणावर पसरलेले | व्यापक / बड़े क्षेत्र में फैला हुआ |
| Expansion — spreading or becoming larger | विस्तार | विस्तार |
Social Life
Evidence uncovered during excavations at Harappan sites provides insights into the social life of the people who lived there. The material evidence that has emerged suggests that their way of life was highly organized and disciplined. Town planning, well planned roads, well-built houses, excellent drainage system, seals bearing inscriptions, high-quality pottery and various types of toys are the distinctive features of the Harappan Civilisation.
Simple Explanation
Archaeologists have found different kinds of evidence during excavations at Harappan sites. This evidence helps us understand how the people of the Harappan Civilisation lived.
The material evidence found at these sites shows that their way of life was highly organised and disciplined.
One important feature was their town planning. Their towns were planned and organised properly.
They had well-planned roads and well-built houses. This shows that attention was given to the arrangement and construction of their settlements.
They also had an excellent drainage system. This was an important feature of their towns.
Seals bearing inscriptions have also been found. These seals are another type of evidence from the Harappan Civilisation.
The people also made high-quality pottery and different types of toys.
Therefore, town planning, well-planned roads, well-built houses, an excellent drainage system, seals with inscriptions, high-quality pottery and various types of toys are described as the distinctive features of the Harappan Civilisation.
| Meanings | Marathi Arth | Hindi Arth |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence — information or objects that help prove or understand something | पुरावा | साक्ष्य / प्रमाण |
| Uncovered — found or brought to light | उघडकीस आलेले / सापडलेले | मिला हुआ / खोजा गया |
| Excavations — digging to discover remains of the past | उत्खनन | पुरातत्त्वीय खुदाई |
| Insights — understanding gained from evidence | अंतर्दृष्टी / माहिती | अंतर्दृष्टि / समझ |
| Material evidence — physical objects found from the past | भौतिक पुरावे | भौतिक साक्ष्य |
| Organized — arranged in a proper way | संघटित / सुव्यवस्थित | व्यवस्थित / संगठित |
| Disciplined — following proper order and rules | शिस्तबद्ध | अनुशासित |
| Drainage system — system for carrying away wastewater | जलनिस्सारण व्यवस्था | जल निकासी व्यवस्था |
| Seals — small objects used for marking or identification | मुद्रा / शिक्के | मुहरें / मुद्राएँ |
| Inscriptions — words or signs written or carved on something | शिलालेख / कोरीव लेख | अभिलेख / उत्कीर्ण लेख |
| Pottery — objects made from baked clay | मातीची भांडी / मृद्भांडी | मिट्टी के बर्तन |
| Distinctive — special and clearly noticeable | वैशिष्ट्यपूर्ण | विशिष्ट / खास |