Question 1

Q1: 1. List the items of food available to people in Harappan cities. Identify the groups who would have provided these.

Accepted Answer

Based on archaeological evidence, the Harappans consumed a wide range of plant and animal products. Food Items Available:    Plant Products: Grains such as wheat, barley, lentil, chickpea, and sesame were common. Millets have been found at sites in Gujarat, while rice was relatively rare.    Animal...

Question 2

Q2: 2. How do archaeologists trace socio-economic differences in Harappan society? What are the differences that they notice?

Accepted Answer

Archaeologists trace socio-economic differences in Harappan society primarily through two strategies: studying burials and analysing artefacts. 1. Studying Burials: Archaeologists examine the differences in burial practices. In Harappan sites, the dead were generally laid in pits.     Differences No...

Question 3

Q3: 3. Would you agree that the drainage system in Harappan cities indicates town planning? Give reasons for your answer.

Accepted Answer

Yes, I agree that the drainage system in Harappan cities is a strong indicator of advanced town planning. The meticulous and systematic nature of the drainage network suggests it was conceived and executed as part of a larger plan. Reasons:    Systematic Layout: Roads and streets were laid out in an...

Question 4

Q4: 4. List the materials used to make beads in the Harappan civilisation. Describe the process by which any one kind of bead was made.

Accepted Answer

The Harappans used a remarkable variety of materials to make beads. Materials Used for Beads:    Stones: Carnelian (a red stone), jasper, crystal, quartz, and steatite (a soft stone).    Metals: Copper, bronze, and gold. *   Other Materials: Shell, faience (a man-made material), and terracotta (burn...

Question 5

Q5: 5. Look at Fig. 1.30 and describe what you see. How is the body placed? What are the objects placed near it? Are there any artefacts on the body? Do t...

Accepted Answer

The image shows a Harappan burial site where archaeological excavation is in progress.    Description: The central feature is a human skeleton lying within a rectangular pit dug into the earth. The skeleton appears to be that of an adult.    Placement of the Body: The body is placed in an extended p...

Question 6

Q10: 10. On Map 1, use a pencil to circle sites where evidence of agriculture has been recovered. Mark an X against sites where there is evidence of craft...

Accepted Answer

To complete this map work activity based on the chapter, you should mark the sites on Map 1 as follows: Sites with Evidence of Agriculture (Circle):    Kalibangan (Rajasthan): Circle this site, as the text explicitly mentions the discovery of a ploughed field from the Early Harappan levels here....

Question 7

Q11: 11. Find out if there are any museums in your town. Visit one of them and write a report on any ten items, describing how old they are, where they wer...

Accepted Answer

This project requires a visit to a local museum to observe and report on artefacts. Here is a step-by-step guide to completing it: Step 1: Locate a Museum    Search online or ask your teacher for information about museums in your city or a nearby one. This could be a national museum, a state museum,...

Question 8

Q12: 12. Collect illustrations of ten things made of stone, metal and clay produced and used at present. Compare these with the pictures of the Harappan ci...

Accepted Answer

This project involves comparing modern objects with Harappan artefacts to understand continuity and change in technology and daily life. Here is a guide to help you structure your work. Step 1: Collect Illustrations    Find pictures (from magazines, newspapers, or the internet) of ten modern items m...

Question 9

Q6: 6. Describe some of the distinctive features of Mohenjodaro.

Accepted Answer

Mohenjodaro, the most well-known Harappan site, stands out as a remarkable example of a planned urban centre and showcases some of the most distinctive features of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Perhaps its most unique feature is its planned layout. The city is divided into two distinct sections: th...

Question 10

Q7: 7. List the raw materials required for craft production in the Harappan civilisation and discuss how these might have been obtained.

Accepted Answer

Craft production was a vital economic activity in the Harappan Civilisation, and it required a diverse range of raw materials sourced both locally and from distant regions. Raw Materials Required:    Clay: Used for pottery, terracotta figurines, and bricks. This was locally available in the alluvial...

Question 11

Q8: 8. Discuss how archaeologists reconstruct the past.

Accepted Answer

Archaeologists reconstruct the past by systematically studying material remains left behind by ancient cultures. Since the Harappan script remains undeciphered, this material evidence—such as pottery, tools, buildings, and seals—is the primary source for understanding their civilisation. The process...

Question 12

Q9: 9. Discuss the functions that may have been performed by rulers in Harappan society.

Accepted Answer

While archaeological records from the Harappan civilisation provide no direct evidence of rulers—such as palaces, royal burials, or depictions of kings—the complexity and organisation of the society strongly suggest the existence of a central authority or state. The functions performed by this rulin...

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