In the Earliest Cities – Class 6 History Questions and Answers
This comprehensive question-answer set for the NCERT Class 6 History chapter “In the Earliest Cities” is designed for exam preparation, competitive quizzes, and general knowledge enhancement. All answers are explained in detail, making the content useful for students, teachers, and enthusiasts of ancient history. Related chapters you may explore include From Gathering to Growing Food
Q1. What are the earliest known cities in the Indian subcontinent?
The earliest known cities in the Indian subcontinent were part of the Indus Valley Civilization, also called the Harappan Civilization. Major cities include Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Kalibangan, Lothal, Dholavira, and Rakhigarhi. These cities were located in present-day Pakistan and northwestern India, flourishing between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE. They were well-planned with advanced drainage systems, granaries, and public baths, indicating a high level of urban planning.
Q2. What were the key features of Harappan city planning?
Harappan cities followed a grid pattern, where streets intersected at right angles. The cities were divided into two parts: the Citadel (fortified area on a raised platform) and the Lower Town (residential area). The use of baked bricks for construction was common, and a sophisticated drainage system ensured cleanliness. Houses were often two or more storeys high, with separate bathing areas connected to covered drains.
Q3. How did Harappan drainage systems work?
Each house had drains connected to street drains, which were covered with slabs. Drains were laid out along the main streets and had inspection holes for cleaning. Wastewater from bathrooms and kitchens flowed into these drains. The systematic layout reflects the emphasis Harappans placed on hygiene and public health.
Q4. What materials did Harappans use for building?
The Harappans used both baked bricks and sun-dried mud bricks. Baked bricks were standardized in size, ensuring uniformity across the civilization. Wood and reeds were also used for certain structures. Stone was used in specific regions where it was locally available, such as in Dholavira.
Q5. What was the Citadel used for?
The Citadel was the elevated part of the city, surrounded by walls. It housed important buildings like granaries, assembly halls, and the Great Bath (in Mohenjo-daro). It might have served as the administrative and ceremonial center of the city.
Q6. What is the Great Bath and why is it significant?
The Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro is one of the most remarkable structures of the Harappan Civilization. It is a large, rectangular tank made of baked bricks, with steps leading down from two sides. It was waterproofed with a layer of natural tar. The Great Bath was likely used for ritual bathing, showing the importance of cleanliness and possibly religious purification in Harappan society.
Q7. What kind of food did Harappans eat?
The Harappans consumed a variety of foods, including wheat, barley, pulses, rice, sesame, peas, and mustard. They also domesticated animals like cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, and chicken. Fishing and hunting supplemented their diet, while evidence of cotton seeds indicates they also grew cotton for textile production.
Q8. What evidence do we have of Harappan agriculture?
Seals and terracotta models depict ploughs, and furrows have been found in fields at Kalibangan, suggesting the use of ploughing. Archaeologists have found remains of grains in storage areas. Irrigation techniques likely included drawing water from wells and canals, though most farming relied on seasonal monsoon rains.
Q9. What was the role of trade in Harappan cities?
Trade played a crucial role in Harappan life. They traded with regions like Mesopotamia, Oman, and Bahrain. Trade items included beads, precious stones, cotton textiles, metals, and pottery. The discovery of Mesopotamian seals with Harappan inscriptions confirms long-distance trade links.
Q10. What were Harappan seals and what were they used for?
Harappan seals were small, square or rectangular objects made of steatite (a type of soft stone). They usually had inscriptions in the Harappan script and depictions of animals, such as bulls, elephants, and mythical creatures. Seals were probably used for stamping goods, identifying ownership, and serving as amulets for protection.
Q11. Describe the Harappan script.
The Harappan script remains undeciphered. It consists of short sequences of symbols found on seals, pottery, and other objects. The language and meaning of the script remain unknown, but it is believed to have been used for administrative and trade purposes.
Q12. What kinds of crafts were practiced in Harappan cities?
Harappans excelled in bead-making, pottery, seal carving, and metallurgy. They crafted beads from semi-precious stones like carnelian and lapis lazuli. Pottery was often decorated with geometric patterns and animal motifs. Bronze and copper tools were common, showing advanced metalworking skills.
Q13. How did the Harappans obtain raw materials for their crafts?
Raw materials came from both local and distant sources. For example, copper came from Rajasthan and Oman, gold from Karnataka, tin from Afghanistan, and lapis lazuli from Afghanistan. These materials were either collected directly or obtained through trade.
Q14. What evidence exists of social differences in Harappan society?
Archaeological evidence suggests social differences. Some houses were much larger than others, indicating wealth disparities. Burial sites also show differences in grave goods, such as ornaments and pottery, suggesting varied social status among the people.
Q15. What caused the decline of the Harappan Civilization?
The reasons for the decline are still debated. Possible factors include changes in climate leading to drought, shifting river courses, floods, decline in trade, and invasions. Some cities were abandoned while others became smaller rural settlements.
Q16. What have archaeologists learned from Harappan burials?
Harappans buried their dead with pottery, ornaments, and sometimes food. The burial practices suggest belief in life after death. The presence of grave goods also reflects the person’s social status.
Q17. Which metals were known to the Harappans?
Harappans were skilled in working with copper, bronze, gold, silver, and tin. Iron was unknown to them. They made tools, weapons, ornaments, and vessels from these metals.
Q18. What is Dholavira famous for?
Dholavira, located in present-day Gujarat, is known for its unique water management system. It had large reservoirs to store rainwater, elaborate city planning, and a signboard with large Harappan script letters, one of the largest found so far.
Q19. What is Lothal known for?
Lothal, also in Gujarat, was an important center for bead-making and had a dockyard, suggesting it was a major port for maritime trade. Its location near the Gulf of Khambhat made it a strategic hub for commerce.
Q20. How do Harappan cities compare to modern cities?
While Harappan cities were smaller in population compared to modern cities, their planning was remarkably advanced. Features like grid layouts, drainage systems, standardized construction materials, and specialized craft areas show urban sophistication. Modern cities have larger populations, advanced technology, and complex governance systems, but still follow some of the planning principles seen in Harappan settlements.
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