In the Earliest Cities Class 6 History Chapter 3 Notes are available here. These notes has been created by the subject experts of our website CBSE Wale.
In the Earliest Cities Class 6 History Chapter 3 Notes
The story of Harappa
- Railway engineers discovered the site of Harappa in present-day Pakistan about 150 years ago while laying down railway lines in Punjab.
- Initially, the engineers saw it as a mound rich in high-quality bricks and used many of these bricks to build railway lines, resulting in the destruction of many old buildings.
- About 80 years ago, archaeologists rediscovered the site and recognized it as one of the oldest cities in the Indian subcontinent.
- Harappa is considered the first city discovered from the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished around 4700 years ago.
- The discovery of Harappa led to other similar sites being labeled as “Harappan” due to their resemblance to the artifacts and structures found at Harappa.
What was special about these cities?
- Ancient cities like Mohenjodaro, Harappa, Kalibangan, and Lothal were characterized by specific features.
- They often had a citadel, a smaller and higher western part, and a larger, lower eastern part known as the lower town, surrounded by walls made of well-baked bricks.
- The bricks were laid in an interlocking pattern, making the walls strong and durable.
- Special buildings were constructed on the citadel, such as the Great Bath in Mohenjodaro, a large tank lined with bricks and plaster, likely used for ritual bathing.
- Some cities like Kalibangan and Lothal had fire altars, possibly used for performing sacrifices.
- Elaborate storehouses were found in cities like Mohenjodaro, Harappa, and Lothal, indicating advanced urban planning and economic systems.
Houses, drains and streets
- Houses in ancient cities typically had one or two stories, with rooms surrounding a central courtyard.
- Most houses featured separate bathing areas, and some had wells for water supply.
- Covered drains were common in these cities, meticulously laid out in straight lines with a gentle slope for water flow.
- House drains were often connected to street drains, which then led to larger ones, indicating a sophisticated drainage system.
- Inspection holes were provided at intervals for cleaning the drains.
- The construction of houses, drains, and streets was likely planned and executed simultaneously, reflecting advanced urban planning.
Life in the city
- Harappan cities were bustling centers with various activities.
- The rulers likely oversaw the construction of special buildings and may have engaged in long-distance trade for acquiring metals, precious stones, and other desired items.
- Scribes, proficient in writing, were likely employed to prepare seals and possibly other documents, although these materials haven’t survived.
- Craftspersons, both men and women, produced various goods either in their homes or specialized workshops.
- Trade and travel were common, with people returning with raw materials and stories from distant lands.
- Terracotta toys have been discovered, suggesting that children played with them in these ancient cities.
New crafts in the Harappan cities
- Objects found in Harappan cities were primarily made of stone, shell, and various metals like copper, bronze, gold, and silver.
- Copper and bronze were utilized for crafting tools, weapons, ornaments, and vessels, while gold and silver were mainly used for ornaments and vessels.
- Noteworthy discoveries include beads, weights, and blades.
- Seals made of stone were common, typically rectangular in shape with animal carvings.
- Additionally, pottery with intricate black designs was crafted by the Harappans.
- Cotton cultivation likely began at Mehrgarh around 7000 years ago, evidenced by cloth remnants found at Mohenjodaro attached to silver and copper objects.
- Archaeologists discovered spindle whorls made of terracotta and faience, indicating the spinning of thread.
- Many artifacts were likely crafted by specialists, individuals trained in specific skills such as stone cutting, bead polishing, or seal carving.
- Expert craftsmanship is evident in artifacts like carved faces and detailed features, suggesting the work of skilled craftspersons.
- The specialization of labor raises questions about whether only men or women were specialists or if both genders participated in specialized crafts.
In search of raw materials
- Raw materials are substances found naturally or produced by farmers or herders, which are processed to create finished goods.
- Locally available raw materials for the Harappans included items like wood and certain metal ores.
- However, many essential materials like copper, tin, gold, silver, and precious stones had to be sourced from distant locations.
- Copper was likely obtained from present-day Rajasthan and Oman, while tin, used in bronze production, may have come from present-day Afghanistan and Iran.
- Gold possibly originated from present-day Karnataka, and precious stones were likely sourced from present-day Gujarat, Iran, and Afghanistan.
Food for people in the cities
- Both urban and rural populations existed in the Harappan civilization, with farmers and herders from the countryside supplying food to city dwellers such as craftspersons, scribes, and rulers.
- Crop remains indicate that the Harappans cultivated a variety of grains and pulses including wheat, barley, rice, pulses, peas, sesame, linseed, and mustard.
- The introduction of the plough facilitated agricultural activities, although only toy models of wooden ploughs have survived.
- Given the region’s low rainfall, some form of irrigation was likely practiced to supply water to fields during the growing season.
- Livestock rearing was prevalent among the Harappans, with cattle, sheep, goat, and buffalo being raised. Grazing areas and water sources were available near settlements.
- During dry summer months, herds may have been moved to more distant locations in search of pasture and water.
- Additionally, the Harappans supplemented their diet with fruits like ber, fish, and hunted wild animals like antelope.
A closer look — Harappan towns in Gujarat
- Dholavira, located on Khadir Beyt in the Rann of Kutch, featured three parts surrounded by massive stone walls, each with gateways.
- The settlement included a large open area suitable for public ceremonies.
- Unique discoveries at Dholavira include large letters of the Harappan script carved from white stone, a departure from the typical small objects like seals.
- Lothal, situated near the Sabarmati tributary in Gujarat, was near areas rich in raw materials, particularly semi-precious stones.
- Lothal was a significant center for crafting objects from stone, shell, and metal, with a storehouse discovered containing many seals and sealings.
- Evidence suggests the presence of a bead-making workshop in Lothal, with findings including stone pieces, half-made beads, bead-making tools, and finished beads.
Seals and sealings
- Seals were likely utilized to stamp bags or packets containing goods for transportation.
- After closing or tying a bag, a layer of wet clay was applied to the knot, and the seal was pressed onto it.
- The impression left by the seal on the clay is referred to as a sealing.
- An intact sealing indicated that the goods had arrived safely at their destination.
The mystery of the end
- Around 3900 years ago, a significant change occurred in the Harappan civilization, marked by the abandonment of many cities and the discontinuation of writing, seals, and weights.
- Raw materials sourced from distant locations became scarce during this period.
- Mohenjodaro witnessed deteriorating conditions, including garbage accumulation on streets, breakdown of drainage systems, and construction of less impressive houses over streets.
- The reasons for this decline are uncertain, with theories ranging from river drying, deforestation due to fuel requirements, and grazing by large herds of animals to floods.
- The loss of centralized control by rulers is suggested as a possible cause for the decline.
- Abandoned sites in present-day Pakistan contrasted with the emergence of new, smaller settlements to the east and south.
- New cities emerged approximately 1400 years later, marking a significant shift in the region’s urban development.