GRADE 6 • HISTORY
QUESTION PAPER
Chapter 3 – Harappan Civilisation
Question Set 5
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. Harappan Civilisation is also known as:
2. Excavations at Harappa first began in:
3. The Harappan Civilisation extended as far as Daimabad in:
4. Which material was used by Harappan people for constructing houses?
5. Which of the following was used by Harappan people for cooking?
Q.1 B) Write whether the following statements are True or False.
[5]
1. Harappa is situated on the banks of the River Ravi in Punjab.
2. The Harappan Civilisation covered an area of approximately 1.5 million square kilometers.
3. Harappan houses generally had a central courtyard surrounded by rooms.
4. The Harappan people did not produce ornaments.
5. Carnelian was a reddish-hued gemstone.
Q.2 A) Complete the following statements.
[4]
1. Harappa is situated on the banks of the River __________ in Punjab.
2. The Harappan Civilisation extended from Manda in Jammu and Kashmir in the north to __________ in Maharashtra in the south.
3. The Harappan Civilisation reached as far as Balochistan in the __________.
4. The people of the Harappan Civilisation used cotton and __________ garments.
Q.2 B) Answer in brief.
[6]
1. Why is the Harappan Civilisation also known as the Indus Valley Civilisation?
2. What was the area covered by the Harappan Civilisation?
3. What types of designs and decorative motifs were found on Harappan pottery?
Q.3) Answer the following.
[8]
1. What do the archaeological findings tell us about the social life of the Harappan people?
2. Describe the construction and special features of Harappan houses.
3. What was the importance of the Great Bath at Mohenjodaro?
4. How did the Harappan people conduct long-distance trade?
Q.4) Give reasons.
[6]
1. The Harappan people had a high degree of awareness regarding public health.
2. Carnelian beads were in high demand in Mesopotamia.
3. Lapis Lazuli was considered extremely rare and precious in antiquity.
Q.5) Answer in detail.
[6]
1. Explain the geographical extent of the Harappan Civilisation.
2. Describe the clothing style and ornaments of the Harappan people.
GRADE 6 • HISTORY
SOLUTION
HARAPPAN CIVILISATION
Question Set 5
Q.1 A) Select the correct option from the given alternatives.
[5]
1. Harappan Civilisation is also known as:
Ans. B) Indus Valley Civilisation
2. Excavations at Harappa first began in:
Ans. C) 1921
3. The Harappan Civilisation extended as far as Daimabad in:
Ans. B) Maharashtra
4. Which material was used by Harappan people for constructing houses?
Ans. C) Baked bricks
5. Which of the following was used by Harappan people for cooking?
Ans. A) Earthen pottery
Q.1 B) Write whether the following statements are True or False.
[5]
1. Harappa is situated on the banks of the River Ravi in Punjab.
Ans. True.
2. The Harappan Civilisation covered an area of approximately 1.5 million square kilometers.
Ans. True.
3. Harappan houses generally had a central courtyard surrounded by rooms.
Ans. True.
4. The Harappan people did not produce ornaments.
Ans. False.
5. Carnelian was a reddish-hued gemstone.
Ans. True.
Q.2 A) Complete the following statements.
[4]
1. Harappa is situated on the banks of the River __________ in Punjab.
Ans. Ravi
2. The Harappan Civilisation extended from Manda in Jammu and Kashmir in the north to __________ in Maharashtra in the south.
Ans. Daimabad
3. The Harappan Civilisation reached as far as Balochistan in the __________.
Ans. west
4. The people of the Harappan Civilisation used cotton and __________ garments.
Ans. silk
Q.2 B) Answer in brief.
[6]
1. Why is the Harappan Civilisation also known as the Indus Valley Civilisation?
Ans. Many sites associated with this civilisation have been discovered in the Indus valley. Hence, it is also known as ‘Indus Valley Civilisation.’
2. What was the area covered by the Harappan Civilisation?
Ans. The geographical extent of this civilisation covered an area of approximately 1.5 million square kilometers.
3. What types of designs and decorative motifs were found on Harappan pottery?
Ans. Some of the Harappan pottery featured painted designs and decorative motifs. These motifs were painted in black on a red-colored background. The decorative motifs included symbols such as fish scales, intersecting circles and Pipal leaves.
Q.3) Answer the following.
[8]
1. What do the archaeological findings tell us about the social life of the Harappan people?
Ans. Evidence uncovered during excavations at Harappan sites provides insights into the social life of the people who lived there. The material evidence 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.
2. Describe the construction and special features of Harappan houses.
Ans. The houses of Harappan people were mainly built by using baked bricks. The houses featured a central courtyard surrounded by rooms, along with a well and a toilet situated near the entrance. 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.
3. What was the importance of the Great Bath at Mohenjodaro?
Ans. The Great Bath at Mohenjodaro is a unique example of the Harappan architecture. Some scholars are of the opinion that some religious rituals were performed within the Great Bath complex and its immediate vicinity. The Great Bath consists of a large water tank measuring approximately 12 meters in length, 7 meters in width and 2.5 meters in depth. It was constructed using baked bricks. 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.
4. How did the Harappan people conduct long-distance trade?
Ans. The Harappan people were familiar with sailing, which enabled them to conduct long-distance trade. During the Harappan period Lothal served as a significant port. A massive dockyard has been 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 Harappan people had a high degree of awareness regarding public health.
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 their high degree of awareness regarding public health.
2. Carnelian beads were in high demand in Mesopotamia.
Ans. Carnelian, a reddish-hued gemstone, was fashioned into both long and spherical beads. These beads were traded in Mesopotamia, where they were used in jewellery as well as making religious artifacts.
3. Lapis Lazuli was considered extremely rare and precious in antiquity.
Ans. Lapis Lazuli is a deep-blue semiprecious stone. In antiquity, Lapis Lazuli was considered extremely rare and precious. Its mines are located in Afghanistan and it was in high demand in Mesopotamia.
Q.5) Answer in detail.
[6]
1. Explain the geographical extent of the Harappan Civilisation.
Ans. The geographical extent of the Harappan 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.
2. Describe the clothing style and ornaments of the Harappan people.
Ans. The clothing style and ornaments of the Harappan people provide insights into the technology, aesthetic sensibilities and lifestyle of those times. Harappan people used cotton and silk garments. 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. These beads were in high demand especially in Mesopotamia. The people of the Harappan Civilisation used ornaments like necklaces, earrings, armbands, bangles, rings and waistbands.