Chapter-6, The Beginnings of Indian Civilisaton

 Chapter-6, The Beginnings of Indian Civilisaton

What is a Civilisation?:- It define as a when human group settling down, practising agriculture, developing some technologies (such as construction, metallurgy, transport and moving towards 'civilisation'.

Metallurgy:- Includes the techniques of extracting metal from nature, purifying or combiningthem, as well as the scientific study of metals and their properties.

A civilisation is a complex human society that is typically characterized by:

• Urban development – cities or towns with organized structures and infrastructure.
• Social hierarchy – a system of ranks or classes, often including leadership, specialized jobs, and inequality.
• Government and laws – organized political and legal systems to manage order and conflict.
• Writing and record-keeping – a form of written language for communication, administration, and cultural transmission.
• Culture and religion – shared beliefs, art, architecture, rituals, and sometimes organized religions.
• Economic systems – trade, agriculture, currency, and labor divisions that support society.
• Technological advancement – tools, techniques, and innovations that improve living and productivity.

Different civilisation began in different part of the world at Different period of time :

4000 BCE - Mesopotamia (Modern Iraq and Syria)

3000 BCE - Egyptian Civilisation 

2000 BCE - Indus-Sarasvati Civilisation

From Village to City:-  Village--------Town---------Cities 

• The vast plains of the Punjab (India and Pakistan), Rajasthan and Gujrat was fertile.
• Villages which settled bank of the river grew into towns. (Indus, Sarasvati)
• With increasing trade and other exchanges, those town further grew into cities.
• This transition happened around 2600 BCE.
• Archaeologists gave different name of this Civilisation:- 'Indus', 'Harappan', Indus-Sarasvati
• Its inhabitants are called 'Harappans'.(One of the oldest civilisations in the world.)
• This development is also called the "First Urbanisation".

Town-Planning

First two cities of this Civilisation:- Harapa and Mohenjo-daro now in Pakistan. Identify in  1924.

Major Cities                                                    Region/Modern State

Dholvira                                                          Gujrat

Rakhigarhi                                                       Haryana

Ganweriwala                                                   Cholistan desert in Pakistan

Lothal                                                              Gujrat

Farmana                                                           Haryana

Kalibangan                                                       Rajasthan

Bhirrana and Banawali                                     Haryana

Harappan City Layout and Urban Planning:- Harappan cities were meticulously planned with a grid-like street system, featuring roads that intersected at right angles. This organized layout included two primary sections.

• Upper Town: Where the local elite probably lived.
• Lower Town: This area where common people lived.

Public Infrastructure:- Harappan cities featured impressive public structures:

• Great Bath: A large, well-constructed public bathing area, possibly used for ritualistic purposes.
• Granaries: Massive storage facilities for surplus grain, indicating organized agricultural practices.
• Individual houses of various sizes.

Residential differences:- Larger homes with multiple rooms, private wells, and advanced drainage indicate higher-status occupants.

Water management in Harappa:

• Separate area for bathing in their homes.
• Importance to water management and cleanliness.
• The Harappans developed a network of covered drains running along main streets.
• Mohenjo-daro drew water from hundreds of wells and tanks.
• Human made reserviors.
• At Dholavira has six large reservoirs it connected with underground drains for efficient water harvesting and distribution.

What did the Harappans Eat?

Food Group                                                             Examples

Grains & cereals                                                     Wheat, barley, millet, rice

Vegetables                                                              Onion, cucumber, lentils, peas

Fruits                                                                      Dates, figs, berries

Animal products                                                       Milk, meat, eggs

Seafood                                                                       Fish, shellfish

Wild foods                                                               Game meat, honey, wild fruits

A Brisk Trade:-

• The Harappan were engaged in active trade.
• They exported ornaments, timber, some daily uses objects.
• Harappan craftspeople developed special techniques.
• They used land routes and rivers and the sea.

The End or a New Beginning?

Around1900 BCE, this Sindhu-Saraswati civilization, began to fall. There were many reason to fall.

• Warfare or Invasions.
• Climatic changes
• Sarasvati river dried up in central basin.

NCERT QUESTIONS

Q.1 - Why does the civilisation studied in this chapter have several names? Discuss their significance.

Answer:- The civilisation studied in this chapter is known by several names because of the different aspects of its discovery, geography, and culture. The most common and Significance of Multiple Names:- Each name reflects a different dimension of the civilisation:

• "Harappan" links to its archaeological identity.
• "Indus Valley" connects to its geographic location.
• "Mature Harappan" identifies its historical development phase.

Q.2- Write a brief report (150 to200 words) summing up some of the achievements of the Indus-Sarasvati civilisation.

Answer:- Report: Achievements of the Indus-Sarasvati Civilisation

The Indus-Sarasvati Civilisation, also known as the Harappan Civilisation, was one of the world’s earliest and most advanced urban cultures, flourishing around 2600–1900 BCE. Among its greatest achievements was its remarkable urban planning. Cities like Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, and Dholavira were laid out in a grid pattern with well-organized streets, advanced drainage systems, and brick-lined houses—showing a deep understanding of civil engineering and public hygiene.

Another significant achievement was the development of standardized weights and measures, which facilitated trade across vast distances. The Harappans were skilled craftspeople, producing high-quality pottery, ornaments, seals, and beads. Their expertise in metallurgy is evident in the use of copper, bronze, and gold.

The civilisation had a well-established trade network, both inland and overseas, reaching Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf. They also developed one of the earliest writing systems, found on seals and pottery, though it remains undeciphered.

In terms of water management, the Harappans built wells, reservoirs, and sophisticated drainage systems, indicating an advanced understanding of sanitation and urban infrastructure. These achievements highlight the Indus-Sarasvati civilisation’s role as a pioneer in early urban development and social organization.

Q.3- Imagine you have to travel from the city of Harappa to Kalibangan. What are your different options? can you make a rough estimation of the amount of time each option might take?

Answer.3- To travel from Harappa (in present-day Pakistan) to Kalibangan (in present-day Rajasthan, India) during the time of the Indus-Sarasvati civilisation, you would have had a few possible travel options, based on the technology and terrain of the time:- 

While the fastest route would be river and land, most trade or personal travel likely used bullock carts. 

Q.4- Let us imagine a Harappan man or woman being transported to an average kitchen in today's India. What are the four or five biggest surprises awaiting them?

Answer. 4- If a Harappan man or woman suddenly stepped into a modern Indian kitchen, they would experience several shocks due to the dramatic changes in technology, tools, and lifestyle. 

• Electric Appliances
• Instant Cooking and Gas Supply
• Running Water and Taps
• Cold Storage (Refrigerator)

Q.5- Looking at all the pictures in this chapter, make a list of the ornaments/gestures/objects that still feel familiar in our 21st century.

Answer.5- Many elements from the Harappan Civilization resonate with modern life, as they reflect fundamental human needs, desires, and aesthetic choices.

• Jewelry and Ornaments
• Seals and Stamp Designs
• Ceramic Pottery
• The Concept of Trade and Markets

Q.6- What mindset does the system of reservoirs at Dholavira reflect?

Answer.6- The system of reservoirs at Dholavira (a prominent Harappan site located in present-day Gujarat, India) reflects a mindset that was deeply concerned with resource management, sustainability, and adaptability to environmental challenges. 

Q.7- In Mohenjo-daro, about 700 wells built with bricks have been counted. They seem to have been regularly maintained and used for several centuries. Discuss the implications.

Answer.7- The presence of around 700 wells in Mohenjo-daro, all built with bricks and maintained over several centuries, has significant implications regarding the Harappan society's organization, urban planning, and understanding of water management.

Q.8- It is often said that the Harappans had a high civic sense. Discuss the significance of this statement. Do you agree with it? Compare with citizens in a large city of India today.

Answer.8- Yes, I agree that the Harappans had a high civic sense. Civic sense means caring about the city and keeping it clean, safe, and well-managed for everyone. The Harappans showed this in many ways:

• Clean and Well-Planned Cities
• Public Bathrooms and Drains