In the Earliest Cities – Class 6 History Notes

The chapter “In the Earliest Cities” introduces us to the fascinating world of the Harappan or Indus Valley Civilization – one of the oldest urban civilizations in history. It existed around 4,700 years ago and spread across what is now Pakistan and north-western India. This civilization is famous for its planned cities, advanced drainage systems, and thriving trade networks.

In the Earliest Cities Class 6 History Notes | NCERT Solutions & Questions
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Exam Tip: Questions from this chapter often focus on features of Harappan towns, seals, trade items, and unique structures like the Great Bath. Learn these with dates and examples.

1. Discovery of the Earliest Cities

The earliest cities were discovered in the 1920s during excavations at Harappa and Mohenjodaro. Archaeologists found ruins of well-planned cities, baked brick houses, and unique artifacts. The civilization is therefore called the Harappan Civilization, named after the site Harappa (in present-day Pakistan).

The Harappan culture flourished roughly between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE. It covered an area larger than ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia combined, stretching from Jammu in the north to Gujarat in the south.

2. Features of Harappan Town Planning

One of the most remarkable features of Harappan cities was their grid system. Streets were laid out in straight lines, cutting each other at right angles, forming rectangular blocks. Cities had two main parts:

  • Citadel: A raised, fortified area where important buildings like granaries, assembly halls, and the Great Bath were located.
  • Lower Town: The residential area where people lived in houses made of baked bricks.

Drainage System

Every house had a bathroom connected to covered drains running along the streets. Drains were made of baked bricks and had inspection holes for cleaning. This shows their awareness of hygiene.

Building Materials

Baked bricks of uniform size were used for construction. The durability of these bricks is evident as they have survived for thousands of years.

3. Life in the Harappan Cities

Harappan people were skilled artisans, traders, and farmers. They grew wheat, barley, rice, sesame, and cotton. Cotton was especially important, as Harappans are believed to be the first to grow and weave it into cloth.

Tools were made from stone, copper, bronze, and sometimes gold. Jewellery made of beads, semi-precious stones, and gold was common among both men and women.

Seals and Script

Harappans used seals made of steatite, often engraved with animals and symbols. These seals were probably used in trade and to identify ownership. The Harappan script has not yet been deciphered, making their language a mystery.

4. Trade and Economy

Harappans traded with distant lands like Mesopotamia. Items such as beads, cloth, and food grains were exported, while silver, tin, and precious stones were imported.

Inland trade used bullock carts and river transport. The discovery of weights and measures in a standard ratio suggests a regulated trade system.

5. Special Structures

  • The Great Bath: Found in Mohenjodaro, it was a large water tank used for ritual bathing. Made with watertight bricks and coated with bitumen.
  • Granaries: Large storehouses for surplus grains, showing organized food storage.
  • Dockyard at Lothal: Evidence of advanced maritime trade.

6. Arts and Crafts

Harappan pottery was mostly red and decorated with black designs. Terracotta toys, figurines of animals, and miniature carts show the creativity of their artisans. The famous Dancing Girl bronze statue from Mohenjodaro is a masterpiece of metal casting.

7. Decline of the Civilization

The Harappan Civilization declined around 1900 BCE. Possible reasons include:

  • Changes in climate and drying of rivers
  • Decline in trade
  • Invasions by outside groups
  • Natural disasters like floods

By 1500 BCE, most cities were abandoned, and rural life replaced urban centers.

Fact Box: The Harappan Civilization is one of the three earliest cradles of civilization, alongside Mesopotamia and Egypt. It is unique for its uniformity in town planning across vast distances.

8. Archaeological Sources

Our knowledge of Harappan life comes from:

  • Excavated ruins of cities like Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Dholavira, Lothal, Kalibangan.
  • Artifacts like seals, pottery, jewellery, and tools.
  • Study of their town planning and drainage systems.

9. Importance of the Harappan Civilization

This civilization shows how organized and advanced human societies could be thousands of years ago. Their achievements in urban planning, trade, and craft-making influenced later cultures in the Indian subcontinent.

10. Summary Points for Revision

  • Existed between 2600–1900 BCE in north-western India and Pakistan.
  • Known for grid-pattern cities and baked brick houses.
  • Had advanced drainage and sanitation systems.
  • Engaged in agriculture, trade, and crafts.
  • Used undeciphered script on seals.
  • Declined due to climate change, invasions, and trade disruptions.

11. Practice Questions (MCQs & Short Answer)

  1. Which of the following was NOT a feature of Harappan cities? A) Grid system streets B) Wooden houses C) Covered drainage D) Citadel Answer: B) Wooden houses
  2. The Great Bath was found in: A) Harappa B) Mohenjodaro C) Lothal D) Dholavira Answer: B) Mohenjodaro
  3. Harappans were the first to grow which crop? A) Rice B) Cotton C) Sugarcane D) Tea Answer: B) Cotton
  4. Name any two major Harappan cities.
  5. What was the main purpose of seals in Harappan culture?

Read more: From Gathering to Growing Food