Maharashtra Board Class 6 History Chapter 3 The Harappan Civilization PDF Download

3. The Harappan Civilization

3.1 Harappan Civilization

Archaeological excavation first began in 1921 CE at Harappa in the Punjab on the banks of the river Ravi. That is how this civilization came to be known as Harappan Civilization. It is also known as Indus Civilization.

Excavations were also carried out at Mohen-jo-daro, a place about 650 km to the south of Harappa in the Indus valley. There was a striking resemblance between the remains of structures and artefacts found at the two places. Similar remains have been found at Dholavira, Lothal, Kalibangan, Daimabad, etc.

Generally, the same characteristics are seen in all the places of Harappan Civilization. These include town planning, roads, construction of houses, drainage system, seals, pots and toys and burial customs.

Teacher's Note

Harappan Civilization is very old. It is about 5000 years old. We can see similar things in Indian cities today like good roads and drainage system.

Exam Trick

Remember: Harappa is a place. The whole civilization is named after this place. Just like we say "Delhi" for New Delhi, we say "Harappan" for this civilization.

Points to Remember

Harappan Civilization started in 1921 CE near river Ravi.
It is also called Indus Civilization.
Many sites show the same type of buildings and things.
This civilization had good planning and drainage system.

3.2 Housing And Town Planning

The houses and other structures in Harappan Civilization were mainly built with baked bricks. In some places, unbaked bricks and stones were also used for construction. The houses had rooms built around a central courtyard. The houses had wells, bathrooms and toilets. There was an excellent drainage system in which baked earthern conduits were used. The streets had covered drains built with bricks. This shows great concern regarding public health.

The streets were broad and laid out in a grid pattern. Houses were built in the rectangular blocks created by them.

The towns were divided into two or more sections and each section had separate fortification.

Teacher's Note

Good drainage system is very important for health. In your school, you can see covered drains like in Harappan cities. This keeps the place clean and safe.

Exam Trick

Remember: Harappan houses = baked bricks + central courtyard + wells + toilets. Just like your modern house has these things, they had them 5000 years ago!

Points to Remember

Houses were made of baked bricks.
Houses had rooms around a central courtyard.
There were wells, bathrooms and toilets in houses.
Streets were broad and made in grid pattern.
Covered drains were used for water drainage.

3.3 Seals And Pots

The seals of the Harappan Civilization were mainly square-shaped and made from a stone called steatite. These seals bear pictures of animals. They include pictures of real animals like bulls, buffaloes, oxen, elephants, rhinos, tigers etc. and also of imaginary ones like the unicorn. Human figures are also seen. These seals were used as stamps.

Earthen pots of various types and shapes have been found at the excavation sites of Harappan Civilization. There are red terra cotta pots with patterns and designs in black colour. The patterns include fishscales, interlocking circles, pipal leaves etc.

The Harappan people buried their dead. They used to bury earthern pots with the bodies.

Teacher's Note

Seals were like stamps used to mark things. Today we use stamps with ink. Harappan people made beautiful seals from stone with animal pictures on them.

Exam Trick

Remember: Harappan seals = square shape + steatite stone + animal pictures + used as stamps. Think of it like modern rubber stamps we use today.

Points to Remember

Seals were square-shaped and made of steatite stone.
Seals had pictures of real and imaginary animals.
Red pots had black patterns like fishscales and circles.
Pots were buried with dead bodies.
Seals were used as stamps for marking things.

3.4 The Great Bath

A spacious bath has been discovered at Mohen-jo-daro. The tank in the Great Bath was nearly 2.5 metres deep. It was 12 metres long and 7 metres wide. It was lined with baked bricks to prevent seepage of water. There were steps leading down to the tank. There was also a provision for draining, cleaning and re-filling the tank from time to time.

Teacher's Note

The Great Bath was like a swimming pool. Your school may have a pool that needs cleaning and refilling. The Harappan people did the same thing 5000 years ago.

Exam Trick

Remember: Great Bath = 2.5 metres deep, 12 metres long, 7 metres wide. That is very big! Just count the numbers and you will remember.

Points to Remember

Great Bath was found at Mohen-jo-daro.
It was 2.5 metres deep, 12 metres long, 7 metres wide.
Baked bricks lined the bottom to stop water seeping.
Steps went down to the tank.
There was a system to drain and refill the tank.

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