In the Earliest Cities Class 6 History Chapter 3 Extra Questions are available here. These extra questions have been created by the subject experts of our website CBSE Wale.
In the Earliest Cities Class 6 History Chapter 3 Extra Questions
Question 1: What is the significance of the site of Harappa?
Answer: The site of Harappa is significant as it is one of the oldest cities in the subcontinent, dating back about 4700 years.
Question 2: How was the discovery of Harappa made?
Answer: The discovery of Harappa was made nearly a hundred and fifty years ago by engineers laying down railway lines in Punjab, present-day Pakistan.
Question 3: What happened when engineers first encountered the site of Harappa?
Answer: Engineers initially saw the site of Harappa as a mound rich in ready-made, high-quality bricks. They proceeded to extract thousands of bricks from the walls of the old buildings of the city to build railway lines, resulting in the destruction of many buildings.
Question 4: When did archaeologists rediscover the significance of Harappa?
Answer: Archaeologists rediscovered the significance of Harappa about eighty years ago, recognizing it as one of the oldest cities in the subcontinent.
Question 5: How did the discovery of Harappa influence the categorization of other archaeological sites?
Answer: The discovery of Harappa led to the categorization of similar archaeological sites as Harappan, considering it was the first city to be discovered among them.
Question 6: What architectural features were characteristic of the cities discovered by archaeologists?
Answer: Many of the cities discovered had distinct architectural features. They were often divided into two or more parts, with the smaller, higher part to the west known as the citadel, and the larger, lower part to the east referred to as the lower town.
Question 7: What materials were commonly used in the construction of these cities’ walls?
Answer: The walls of these cities were typically constructed using baked bricks. These bricks were of high quality and durability, lasting for thousands of years.
Question 8: How were the walls of these cities constructed to enhance their strength?
Answer: The walls of these cities were built with baked bricks laid in an interlocking pattern, which significantly strengthened the walls.
Question 9: What significance do the divisions of citadel and lower town hold in the layout of these cities?
Answer: The division of cities into citadel and lower town suggests a stratified societal structure, with the citadel possibly serving as a fortified area for the ruling elite and the lower town for the general populace.
Question 10: What were some of the special structures found in the citadel areas of ancient cities?
Answer: In the citadel areas of some ancient cities, special structures were constructed. For instance, in Mohenjodaro, there was the Great Bath, a significant tank lined with bricks and coated with plaster, possibly used for ceremonial bathing.
Question 11: Can you describe the construction and features of the Great Bath in Mohenjodaro?
Answer: The Great Bath in Mohenjodaro was constructed with bricks lined with plaster and made watertight with a layer of natural tar. It featured steps leading down from two sides and rooms surrounding it. Water was likely brought in from a well and drained after use, suggesting it was possibly used for ceremonial bathing, perhaps by important individuals during special occasions.
Question 12: What were some of the unique features found in other ancient cities like Kalibangan and Lothal?
Answer: In cities like Kalibangan and Lothal, fire altars were discovered, suggesting possible sites for sacrificial rituals. Additionally, cities such as Mohenjodaro, Harappa, and Lothal had elaborate storehouses.
Question 13: What can the presence of fire altars and elaborate storehouses indicate about the societies of these ancient cities?
Answer: The presence of fire altars suggests the practice of sacrificial rituals, possibly indicating religious or ceremonial significance in these societies. Elaborate storehouses suggest advanced urban planning and organization, possibly indicating a complex economic system or centralized authority.
Question 14: What were some common features of houses in ancient cities?
Answer: In ancient cities, houses typically had one or two stories and were designed with rooms surrounding a central courtyard. Most houses also included a separate bathing area, and some had wells for a water supply.
Question 15: How were drains constructed in these ancient cities, and what was their purpose?
Answer: Drains in ancient cities were carefully laid out in straight lines with a gentle slope to facilitate water flow. Often, house drains were interconnected with street drains, which, in turn, connected to larger drains. Inspection holes were provided at intervals for cleaning. The purpose of these drains was to manage wastewater and maintain sanitation within the city.
Question 16: Were there any particular features in the construction of the drains in ancient cities?
Answer: Yes, the drains in ancient cities were constructed with a careful layout, featuring straight lines and a gentle slope to facilitate water flow. Additionally, they were covered, and inspection holes were provided at intervals for maintenance and cleaning.
Question 17: What does the coordinated construction of houses, drains, and streets suggest about urban planning in ancient cities?
Answer: The coordinated construction of houses, drains, and streets suggests advanced urban planning and organization. It indicates that these elements were likely planned and built simultaneously, reflecting a systematic approach to city development and infrastructure management.
Question 18: What characterized life in a Harappan city?
Answer: Life in a Harappan city was bustling and diverse. It involved individuals who were involved in planning the construction of special buildings, likely the rulers. There were also scribes, craftspersons, and travelers contributing to the city’s activities.
Question 19: Who were likely responsible for the planning and administration of special buildings in Harappan cities?
Answer: The planning and administration of special buildings in Harappan cities were likely the responsibility of the rulers or governing authorities.
Question 20: What role did scribes play in Harappan society?
Answer: Scribes in Harappan society were individuals who possessed writing skills. They likely contributed to various tasks such as preparing seals and possibly writing on other materials that may not have survived.
Question 21: What types of individuals were involved in craftwork in Harappan cities, and where did they typically carry out their work?
Answer: Craftspersons in Harappan cities, both men and women, were involved in making various goods. They either worked in their own homes or in special workshops.
Question 22: How did trade contribute to life in Harappan cities?
Answer: Trade played a significant role in Harappan cities, with people traveling to distant lands to acquire raw materials and goods. This exchange likely enriched the city’s cultural and economic life.
Question 23: What materials were commonly used by the Harappans to create objects?
Answer: The Harappans commonly used materials such as stone, shell, and various metals including copper, bronze, gold, and silver to create objects.
Question 24: What were some common uses of copper, bronze, gold, and silver in Harappan society?
Answer: Copper and bronze were used for making tools, weapons, ornaments, and vessels, while gold and silver were primarily used for crafting ornaments and vessels.
Question 25: What were some of the notable discoveries made by archaeologists in Harappan cities?
Answer: Archaeologists have discovered a variety of objects in Harappan cities including beads, weights, blades, stone seals, and pots with intricate black designs.
Question 26: How did the Harappans utilize stone seals, and what were their typical features?
Answer: The Harappans used stone seals, which were generally rectangular in shape and often depicted animals carved on them.
Question 27: What evidence suggests the presence of cotton cultivation in Mehrgarh, and how was cotton utilized by the Harappans?
Answer: Cotton cultivation in Mehrgarh is evidenced by the discovery of actual pieces of cloth attached to objects such as a silver vase and copper objects at Mohenjodaro. Additionally, spindle whorls made of terracotta and faience were found, indicating the use of cotton to spin thread.
Question 28: What role did specialists play in Harappan society, and how were they identified?
Answer: Specialists in Harappan society were individuals trained to perform specific tasks such as cutting stone, polishing beads, or carving seals. They were identified by their expert craftsmanship, as seen in the detailed carvings and designs of their work.
Question 29: What are raw materials, and how are they utilized in the production of finished goods?
Answer: Raw materials are substances found naturally or produced by farmers or herders, which are then processed to create finished goods. For example, cotton produced by farmers can be processed to make cloth.
Question 30: Where did the Harappans source their raw materials from?
Answer: The Harappans sourced many of their raw materials from distant places. While some raw materials were available locally, items such as copper, tin, gold, silver, and precious stones had to be brought from regions outside of their immediate vicinity.
Question 31: What are some examples of raw materials that had to be obtained from distant locations by the Harappans?
Answer: Examples of raw materials that the Harappans had to obtain from distant locations include copper, tin, gold, silver, and precious stones.
Question 32: From which regions did the Harappans likely procure specific raw materials?
Answer: The Harappans likely procured copper from present-day Rajasthan and Oman in West Asia. Tin, which was used to produce bronze, may have been brought from present-day Afghanistan and Iran. Gold could have come from present-day Karnataka, while precious stones were likely sourced from present-day Gujarat, Iran, and Afghanistan.
Question 33: How did the need to acquire raw materials from distant places impact trade and commerce in Harappan society?
Answer: The need to obtain raw materials from distant places likely fostered trade and commerce networks, leading to interactions and exchanges between different regions. This exchange of goods would have contributed to the economic and cultural vitality of Harappan society.
Question 34: How was food supplied to people living in the cities during the time of the Harappans?
Answer: Food for people living in the cities during the time of the Harappans was supplied by farmers and herders living in the countryside who grew crops and reared animals.
Question 35: What crops did the Harappans cultivate, and how do we know about their agricultural practices?
Answer: The Harappans cultivated a variety of crops including wheat, barley, pulses, peas, rice, sesame, linseed, and mustard. We know about their agricultural practices from remains of plants found at archaeological sites.
Question 36: What new agricultural tool was introduced during the time of the Harappans, and how was it used?
Answer: The new agricultural tool introduced during the time of the Harappans was the plough. It was used to dig the earth for turning the soil and planting seeds. While real ploughs made of wood have not survived, toy models of ploughs have been discovered.
Question 37: How did the Harappans manage irrigation for their crops, considering the region’s low rainfall?
Answer: In regions with low rainfall like where the Harappans lived, some form of irrigation was likely used. This involved storing and supplying water to the fields when the plants were growing.
Question 38: What types of animals did the Harappans rear, and how did they supplement their diet besides farming?
Answer: The Harappans reared cattle, sheep, goat, and buffalo. Besides farming, they supplemented their diet by collecting fruits like ber, catching fish, and hunting wild animals like antelope.
Question 39: What characterized the city of Dholavira in the context of its layout and architectural features?
Answer: The city of Dholavira, located on Khadir Beyt in the Rann of Kutch, had fresh water and fertile soil. Unlike some other Harappan cities, Dholavira was divided into three parts, each surrounded by massive stone walls with entrances through gateways. Additionally, there was a large open area within the settlement suitable for public ceremonies.
Question 40: What unique archaeological finds were discovered in Dholavira?
Answer: In Dholavira, large letters of the Harappan script, carved out of white stone and possibly inlaid in wood, were discovered. This find is unique because Harappan writing is typically found on small objects such as seals.
Question 41: Where was the city of Lothal situated, and why was it considered an important center?
Answer: The city of Lothal was situated beside a tributary of the Sabarmati in Gujarat, close to the Gulf of Khambat. It was considered an important center due to its proximity to areas where raw materials like semi-precious stones were readily available.
Question 42: What activities were significant in Lothal, as evidenced by its archaeological remains?
Answer: In Lothal, significant activities included the production of objects made from stone, shell, and metal. The presence of a storehouse in the city suggests its importance in trade or storage. Additionally, a workshop for making beads was discovered, containing various artifacts related to bead production such as pieces of stone, half-made beads, tools, and finished beads.
Question 43: How do the discoveries in Dholavira and Lothal contribute to our understanding of Harappan civilization?
Answer: The discoveries in Dholavira and Lothal provide valuable insights into the layout, architectural features, economic activities, and cultural practices of Harappan civilization. They help archaeologists and historians understand the complexities of urban life, trade networks, and craftsmanship in ancient Harappan towns.
Question 44: What significant changes occurred around 3900 years ago in ancient cities like Mohenjodaro?
Answer: Around 3900 years ago, major changes occurred in ancient cities like Mohenjodaro. People stopped living in many cities, and there was a decline in the use of writing, seals, and weights. Raw materials brought from distant places became rare, and urban infrastructure deteriorated, evidenced by garbage piling up on the streets and breakdown of the drainage system. Additionally, new, less impressive houses were built, even over the streets.
Question 45: What are some proposed explanations for the decline of Harappan cities?
Answer: Some scholars suggest that the decline of Harappan cities could have been due to factors such as rivers drying up, deforestation, and environmental degradation caused by the need for fuel for brick-making and copper smelting. Others propose factors like floods or loss of control by rulers as possible causes.
Question 46: How do the proposed reasons for the decline of Harappan cities differ in their scope of impact?
Answer: The proposed reasons for the decline of Harappan cities vary in their scope of impact. While factors like rivers drying up or deforestation could have had localized effects, such as in specific regions, they might not fully explain the decline of all cities simultaneously.
Question 47: What evidence suggests a loss of control by rulers during the decline of Harappan civilization?
Answer: During the decline of Harappan civilization, it appears that rulers lost control, as evidenced by the breakdown of urban infrastructure and the abandonment of sites in Sind and west Punjab (present-day Pakistan).
Question 48: What subsequent developments followed the decline of Harappan cities?
Answer: Following the decline of Harappan cities, many people moved into newer, smaller settlements to the east and south. New cities emerged about 1400 years later, marking a significant period of transition and change in the region.