CBSE Class 6 Social Science The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation Worksheet Set 03

Fill in the Blanks

Question. The most favored ornaments that the Harappans traded were beads of __________.
Answer: carnelian
Explanation: Carnelian is a beautiful reddish stone that Harappan artisans skillfully shaped and polished into shiny beads for necklaces.

Question. The mature period of the Indus Valley Civilisation (2600-1900 BCE) is known as the _________.
Answer: Harappan Civilisation
Explanation: This was the golden time when Harappan cities were the most populated, active, organized, and prosperous.

Question. The city of _________ was the premier Harappan site to be excavated in 1920-21.
Answer: Harappa
Explanation: Harappa was the very first city discovered by archaeologists, which is why the whole culture was named after it.

Question. The Sarasvati River is presently known as __________ in India and Hakra in Pakistan.
Answer: Ghaggar
Explanation: In India, the dry riverbed where the ancient Sarasvati flowed is called Ghaggar, while across the border in Pakistan, it is known as Hakra.

Question. The ‘Great Bath’ was situated in the city of __________.
Answer: Mohenjo-daro
Explanation: Mohenjo-daro had this extraordinary brick-lined pool made completely waterproof with natural tar.

Question. The Harappans were known for their sophisticated __________ management systems.
Answer: water
Explanation: The Harappans were amazing city builders who created deep wells, storage tanks, and covered gutters to manage clean and dirty water.

Question. The five major tributaries of Indus river are _________ and _________.
Answer: Jhelum, Sutlej, Beas, Ravi and Chenab.
Explanation: These five big streams join together to bring plenty of water to the Indus valley.

True or False

Question. Harappans employed ploughs for agricultural activities.
Answer: True
Explanation: Farmers used wooden ploughs pulled by oxen to turn the soil for planting.

Question. The remains of turmeric, ginger and citrus were found in the Harappan cooking pots.
Answer: False
Explanation: Cooking pots preserved bits of ginger and turmeric, but no apples.

Question. The symbolic message of the animal figures on seals are deciphered now.
Answer: False
Explanation: Historians are still trying to crack the mystery code of Harappan seals.

Question. The Sarasvati stream is mentioned in the Rigveda as both a goddess and a river.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Rigveda praises Sarasvati both as a mighty flowing river and a beloved deity.

Question. The Indus-Sarasvati culture (c. 2600-1900 BCE) developed later than the early Mesopotamian civilization.
Answer: True
Explanation: Mesopotamian cities started earlier around 4000 BCE, before Harappa grew large.

Question. Residents of the Indus-Sarasvati civilization are called 'Harappans' because Harappa was its largest city.
Answer: False
Explanation: They are named Harappans because Harappa was simply the first site dug up.

Question. The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro was largely a public bathing facility for all its citizens.
Answer: False
Explanation: Most citizens had bathrooms inside their own homes, so the Great Bath was for special rites.

Assertion and Reason Questions

Question. Assertion (A): The decline of the Harappan civilisation was caused solely by foreign invasions.
Reason (R): Climatic changes, such as the drying up of the Sarasvati river, significantly impacted agriculture and led to the abandonment of cities.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: (d) A is false, but R is true.
Explanation: Cities were mainly abandoned because rivers dried up and rainfall changed, making farming very difficult.

Question. Assertion (A): These days we can discover almost everything about the past such as – what people ate, the kind of clothes they wore, the houses in which they lived.
Reason (R): Advancement in modern technology has allowed us to look at the past with better clarity and understanding.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Modern tools like microscopes and scanners help archaeologists learn how ancient people lived.

Question. Assertion (A): People have resided along the banks of river Narmada for thousands of years.
Reason (R): People lived there because they enjoyed the scenic beauty that is situated near the river.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Answer: (c) A is true but R is false.
Explanation: Early humans settled near rivers for fresh drinking water and wild animals to hunt, not just for the pretty view.

Question. Assertion (A): The Harappans were innovators in the field of metallurgy.
Reason (R): They imported tin to mix with copper to produce bronze, which was used to make tools and other artefacts.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Harappan metalworkers learned that combining copper with tin creates strong bronze for sturdy tools.

Question. Assertion (A): The Harappan civilisation had a highly systematic urban planning system.
Reason (R): The streets in Harappan cities were wide and aligned with the cardinal directions.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Harappan roads crossed each other like a neat grid, showing their builders planned the city carefully.

Questions / Short Question Answers

Question. Consider the quote by B.B. Lal: the Harappan societal scenario was not that of 'exploitation', but of mutual 'accommodation'. What archaeological evidence might support this perspective?
Answer: Evidence supporting this could include the relatively uniform quality of brick construction for both large and small houses, well-planned civic amenities like drainage accessible to many, and a lack of ostentatious palaces or extreme wealth disparity in burials compared to other ancient civilizations.
Explanation: Most people had similar brick homes, shared the same clean drains, and nobody built giant golden palaces, showing that people lived fairly and cared for each other.

Question. What did the Harappans use to regulate their trade?
Answer: Small seals made of steatite.
Explanation: They pressed small stone seals with animal carvings into wet clay to stamp bags of goods so nobody could steal them during travel.

Question. Why do archaeologists believe the Harappan civilisation was peaceful?
Answer: Archaeologists believe the Harappan civilisation was peaceful because there is no evidence of large-scale warfare or the presence of weapons. The cities were well-planned for trade and daily life, not for defence. The lack of fortifications designed for war and the absence of destruction from invasion suggest that the Harappans focused on peaceful activities like farming, trade, and crafts.
Explanation: Dig sites have almost no weapons or battle scenes; instead, they show workshops, toys, and clean streets, meaning people lived in peace.

Question. Describe the reasons why and how the Harappan Civilisation vanished.
Answer: Archeologists have suggested many theories to describe the reasons why and how the Harappan Civilisation disappeared.
There might be two main factors for Harappans disappearance:
1. First factor was climate change which caused drought due to less rainfall.
2. Second factor was drying up of Sarasvatl river, again due to reduced rainfall.
3. Both above factors led to drought with less agriculture, reducing food supply to the cities.
4. There might also have been a pandemic (may be caused by severe drought) with breakout of a disease causing huge number of deaths at that time.
There could have been other factors, but these two remind us of how much we depend on climate and the environment for our well-being.
Explanation: When the rains stopped and rivers dried up, crops could not grow, forcing people to leave their dry cities to find food and water elsewhere.

Question. What grains did the Harappans grow?
Answer: Wheat, barley, millets, and sometimes rice.
Explanation: Harappan farmers grew grains like wheat and barley to make bread, porridge, and delicious meals.

Question. Describe the town planning of a standard large Harappan city. What does this planning suggest about their society and governance?
Answer: Harappan cities like Mohenjo-Daro featured grid-patterned wide streets, fortified sections (upper and lower towns), standardized bricks, and advanced drainage systems. This suggests a sophisticated understanding of urban planning, a centralized authority or strong civic governance capable of organizing large-scale construction and maintaining public utilities.
Explanation: Because the streets were straight and all bricks had the exact same size, there must have been a smart city council or leader giving clear instructions.

Question. Which civilisation is one of the earliest in the world?
Answer: The Harappan civilisation.
Explanation: The Harappan civilization in ancient India is among the oldest and grandest early civilizations in human history.

Question. How do we know the Harappans carried out agriculture?
Answer: Archaeologists have found remains of crops like wheat, barley, and cotton, as well as farming tools like ploughs. These discoveries show that agriculture was a key part of Harappan life.
Explanation: Digging in the ground revealed burnt grains of wheat and barley, plus toy models of wooden ploughs used for digging soil.

Question. Based on the artefacts shown (like the 'Priest King', 'Dancing Girl', seals with deities), what can we deduce about the possible religious or symbolic beliefs of the Harappans?
Answer: Artefacts suggest a reverence for certain animal figures (bull, unicorn), possible worship of mother goddesses or proto-deities (like the three-faced figure), and ritualistic practices. The ‘Priest King' hints at figures of authority, possibly with religious roles. The swastika indicates symbolic use.
Explanation: The statues and carvings show they respected animals, bowed before mother goddess figures, and used sacred symbols for good luck.

Question. Why are the people of this civilisation named 'Harappans'?
Answer: Because Harappa was the first city discovered by archaeologists.
Explanation: When archaeologists find a lost culture, they often name it after the very first town they uncover, which was Harappa.

Question. What were the elements that contributed to the development of the Harappan civilisation?
Answer: The following factors contributed in the development of the Harappan civilisation
• The Harappan civilisation developed in the fertile plains of the Indus and Sarasvati rivers, which provided ample water for agriculture and supported a growing population.
• The availability of raw materials, the development of trade networks and advancements in metallurgy and craftsmanship contributed to its growth.
• The society had a form of governance to manage urban planning, trade and public utilities, which further facilitated the civilisation’s development.
Explanation: Having water for farming, metals to make tools, friendly trade with neighbors, and leaders to plan cities helped the civilization grow big and strong.

Question. How did the Harappans secure a water supply in their cities?
Answer: By building reservoirs and drains.
Explanation: They dug deep round wells, made big stone reservoirs to collect rainwater, and built drains to guide water safely.

Question. Why did the drying up of the Sarasvatī River impact the Harappan civilisation?
Answer: The Sarasvatī River was important for farming and water supply in many Harappan cities. When the river dried up, cities like Kalibangan had to be abandoned because they could no longer get enough water for farming and daily use. The loss of such an important resource contributed to the decline of the civilisation.
Explanation: Without water from the Sarasvatī River, crops dried up and people could not drink or cook, so they had to pack up and move away.

Question. What evidence do we have for the agricultural methods and diet of the Harappans? How did agriculture support their urban centres?
Answer: Evidence includes remains of crops (wheat, barley, cotton), farming tools (plough models), and animal bones. Scientific analysis of pottery reveals dairy and spices. This productive agriculture in surrounding rural areas was crucial for supplying food to the large populations of urban centres.
Explanation: Village farmers grew extra food using ploughs and sent wheat, vegetables, and milk into the cities to feed city workers and craftspeople.

Question. What is meant by a civilisation?
Answer: A civilisation is a developed society where people live in cities and have organised systems like government, farming, trade, writing, and culture.
Explanation: A civilization means an organized way of living where large groups build towns, create art, invent writing, and trade together peacefully.

Question. The geography of the Indus-Sarasvati region shaped the development of the Harappan civilisation. How?
Answer: The geography of the Indus-Sarasvati region influenced the development of the Harappan civilisation in the following ways-
• The fertile plains of rivers provided an ideal environment for the growth of the Harappan civilisation.
• The rivers supported agriculture through irrigation, which supported urbanisation.
• The region’s location also facilitated trade, connecting the Harappan civilisation with other contemporary cultures like Mesopotamia.
• However, changes in the course of these rivers may have contributed to the eventual decline of civilisation.
Explanation: The flat land and rich river soil gave people lots of food, while the flowing rivers acted like highways for travel and trade.