First Cities of India – Solutions
Q.1 Choose the correct alternative and write the complete sentences.
(1) In the early phase of agriculture, making ______ pots and farming were the jobs of women.
(a) copper (b) bronze
(c) earthen (d) stone
Answer: earthen
(2) Lothal is known for its ancient _______ .
(a) agriculture (b) dock
(c) textiles (d) tools
Answer: dock
(3) A general impression prevailed that the Harappan seals had some connection with the ______ civilisation.
(a) Chinese (b) Greek
(c) Mesopotamian (d) Egyptian
Answer: Mesopotamian
(4) The bodies (mummies) of dead royalties in Egypt were wrapped in _____ coloured cloth.
(a) white (b) black
(c) red (d) blue
Answer: blue
Q.2 (A) Choose the correct reason and complete the sentence.
The major reason for the decline of the Mesopotamian civilisation was –
(a) foreign invasion
(b) deteriorting environment
(c) loss in trade
(d) migration
Answer: deteriorating environment.
Q.3 Explain the statements with reasons.
(1) The remains found at cities like Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Kalibangan, Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, etc. are the evidence of the past glory of Harappan civilisation.
Answer: The remains at these sites, such as well-planned houses with baked bricks, advanced drainage systems, public baths, granaries, and impressive public monuments, demonstrate the sophisticated urban planning and architectural skills of the Harappan civilisation. Artefacts like pottery, seals, and metal objects indicate a flourishing economy and skilled craftsmanship. These findings highlight the civilisation’s advanced social, economic, and administrative systems, reflecting its past glory.
(2) Lapis lazuli had a very important place in the Harappan trade.
Answer: Lapis lazuli, a semi-precious stone, was highly valued in Mesopotamia, where it was used to adorn significant structures, such as the palace of Goddess Inanna. The Harappan settlement of Shortugai in Afghanistan, rich in lapis lazuli mines, facilitated its trade with Mesopotamia. This stone was a key commodity exported by the Harappans, contributing significantly to their trade networks and economic prosperity.
(3) Harappan civilisation declined.
Answer: The Harappan civilisation declined due to a combination of factors, including climatic changes leading to increased aridity and frequent famines, which degraded cultivable land. A devastating earthquake in the Saraswati basin raised the riverbed, causing the Sutlej and Yamuna rivers to change course, drying up the Saraswati River. This disrupted the agricultural and economic support system of the cities. Additionally, the decline in trade with Mesopotamia, due to internal conflicts and salination of agricultural land there, weakened the Harappan economy, forcing people to migrate and leading to the abandonment of cities.
Q.4 State your opinion.
(1) The Harappan cities and villages in the vicinity were interdependent.
Answer: I agree with this statement. Harappan cities relied on surrounding villages for food grains and raw materials like clay, stones, and metals needed for industrial production. In return, cities provided villages with finished goods and administrative support. This interdependence is evident in the network of small towns, villages, and semi-nomadic camps that catered to urban centres, such as the settlement at Shortugai, which supplied lapis lazuli to the cities.
(2) The Harappan cities seem to have a well-organised administrative system.
Answer: I believe this is true. The Harappan cities exhibited a well-organised administrative system, as seen in their standardised bricks, weights, and seals, which indicate centralised control over production and trade. The presence of citadels, granaries, and public monuments suggests administrative oversight of resources and public works. The town planning, with grid-patterned streets and advanced drainage systems, further supports the existence of a structured governance system to manage urban life efficiently.
Q.5 Answer the following question with the help of given points.
Write about the characteristics of Harappan cities with the help of given points:
(a) Town planning: Harappan cities featured systematic town planning with houses made of baked bricks, equipped with bathrooms, toilets, and wells. Cities were divided into sections, often with a citadel and lower town, each enclosed by fortification walls. Streets intersected at right angles, forming a grid pattern, and an excellent drainage system ensured hygiene. Public baths and granaries were prominent features, showcasing advanced urban design resilient to environmental challenges, such as earthquakes, through techniques like English bond masonry.
(b) Social organisation: The Harappan society was hierarchical, based on power and occupation. Evidence suggests classes of skilled artisans specialised in crafts like pottery and metalwork, with factories and residences concentrated in specific city areas. Burial practices and artefacts indicate belief systems and rituals after death, reflecting cultural cohesion. The presence of distinct city sections, like quarters for workers and officials, points to a structured social order.
(c) Administration: Harappan cities had a centralised administration controlling resource distribution, such as water and food. Standardised bricks (1:2:4 ratio) and weights (increasing in proportion of 8) suggest regulated production and trade. Majestic non-residential buildings likely served as administrative offices. Citadels housed officials overseeing granaries and workers, indicating a governance system managing urban and economic activities, though the exact nature of the polity remains unclear.
(d) Economy: The Harappan economy thrived on mass production of goods like pottery, statues, and metal objects (gold, silver, copper, bronze) for trade. Beautiful beads and earthen pots were also produced. Cities had designated industrial areas, and trade flourished both internally and with distant regions like Mesopotamia, exporting copper, ivory, lapis lazuli, and textiles. Ports like Lothal and outposts like Dholavira facilitated maritime trade, supported by administrative control over transactions, contributing to economic prosperity.
Leave a Reply