KINSHIP, CASTE AND CLASS


Q) What was the Harappan civilization?

Answer: The Harappan civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, was a Bronze Age civilization that flourished in northwestern regions of South Asia from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE. It was one of the world's earliest urban civilizations, along with Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt.


Q) What are some of the archaeological evidence of the Harappan civilization?

Answer: Archaeological evidence of the Harappan civilization includes city plans, artifacts, and remains of dwellings.


Q) What is the undeciphered script of the Harappan civilization?

Answer: The undeciphered script of the Harappan civilization appears on seals, tablets, and other artifacts, but its meaning remains a mystery.


Q) What are some of the possible reasons for the decline of the Harappan civilization?

Answer: Possible reasons for the decline of the Harappan civilization include climate change, natural disasters, and invasion.


Q) What is the legacy of the Harappan civilization?

Answer: The Harappan civilization left a lasting legacy on the Indian subcontinent. Its urban planning, technology, and trade networks influenced later civilizations in the region. Its art, architecture, and religious practices continue to fascinate scholars and the public alike.


Q) What are some of the distinctive objects of the Harappan culture?

Answer: The distinctive objects of the Harappan culture include seals, beads, weights, stone blades, and even baked bricks.


Q) When was the Harappan civilization dated?

Answer:  The Harappan civilization is dated between c. 2600 and 1900 BCE.


Q) What were some of the subsistence strategies of the Harappans?

Answer: The Harappans ate a wide range of plant and animal products, including fish. They also practiced agriculture and pastoralism.


Q) What are some of the common elements shared by the Early Harappan and Mature Harappan cultures?

Answer: The Early Harappan and Mature Harappan cultures shared certain common elements including subsistence strategies.


Q) What are some of the archaeological cultures found in the region prior to the Mature Harappan?

Answer: There were several archaeological cultures in the region prior to the Mature Harappan. These cultures were associated with distinctive pottery, evidence of agriculture and pastoralism, and some crafts.


Q) How did the Harappans likely sow seeds?

Answer: The Harappans likely scattered seeds on ploughed lands.


Q) What evidence suggests that oxen were used for ploughing?

Answer: Depictions of bulls on seals and terracotta sculptures, the discovery of terracotta plough models, and evidence of a ploughed field with furrows at right angles.


Q) What method of irrigation might the Harappans have used?

Answer: The Harappans might have used canals, wells, and water reservoirs for irrigation.


Q) What type of grinding equipment did the Harappans use?

Answer: The Harappans used saddle querns made of stone, metal, and terracotta for grinding cereals.

What vessels did the Harappans use for cooking? The Harappans used vessels made of stone, metal, and terracotta for mixing, blending, and cooking.


Q) How was Mohenjodaro divided?

Answer: Mohenjodaro was divided into two parts: the Citadel and the Lower Town.


Q) What was the Citadel's location?

Answer: The Citadel was located on a higher elevation and was surrounded by walls.


Q) What important buildings were found in the Citadel?

Answer: The Citadel contained several important buildings, including the warehouse and the Great Bath.


Q) Where did most of the city's inhabitants live?

Answer: Most of the city's inhabitants lived in the Lower Town.


Q) What kind of street system did Mohenjodaro have?

Answer: Mohenjodaro had a carefully planned grid-like street system.


Q) What type of bricks were used in Mohenjodaro's construction?

Answer: The city used standardized bricks in its construction.


Q) What was the purpose of Mohenjodaro's drainage system?

Answer: Mohenjodaro had a sophisticated drainage system to manage rainwater and wastewater.


Q) What was the Great Bath and what was it possibly used for?

Answer: The Great Bath was a large rectangular tank that may have been used for ritual bathing.


Q) What is the significance of Mohenjodaro's urban planning?

Answer: Mohenjodaro's urban planning demonstrates the advanced engineering and organizational capabilities of the Harappan civilization.


Q) What is the overall impression of Mohenjodaro as an urban center?

Answer: Mohenjodaro was a well-planned, well-organized, and prosperous city that reflects the achievements of the Harappan civilization.


Q) What is the capital of France?

Answer: Paris


Q) What is the largest country in the world by land area?

Answer: Russia


Q) What is the chemical symbol for gold?

Answer: Au


Q) What is the name of the largest ocean on Earth?

Answer: Pacific Ocean


Q) What is the name of the first person to walk on the moon?

Answer: Neil Armstrong


Q) What is the name of the Harry Potter author?

Answer: J.K. Rowling


Q) What is the name of the world's largest desert?

Answer: Sahara Desert


Q) What is the name of the currency used in the United Kingdom?

Answer: Pound sterling (£)


Q) What is the name of the tallest mountain in the world?

Answer: Mount Everest


Q) What is the name of the most populous country in the world?

Answer: China


Q) What is the relationship between diversity and Brahmanical influence?

Answer: Despite the subcontinent's diverse population, some groups were not influenced by Brahmanical ideas and social structures.


Q) How were forest-dwellers, nomadic pastoralists, and non-Sanskritic speakers perceived in Brahmanical texts?

Answer: They were often viewed as outsiders or inferiors.


Q) What is the concept of "untouchability"?

Answer: It is a strict social hierarchy that places certain groups, such as chandalas, at the bottom due to their association with "polluting" activities.


Q) What were the prescribed duties for chandalas?

Answer: The Manusmriti outlined their duties, restricting their social interactions and imposing menial tasks.


Q) What did Chinese pilgrims observe about "untouchables"?

Answer: They noted their marginalization and isolation in society.


Q) What were the rules of inheritance in ancient India?

Answer: The Manusmriti prescribed rules for inheritance, favoring sons over daughters.


Q) How was wealth distributed among the varnas?

Answer: Brahmanical texts suggested that wealth was concentrated among Brahmanas and Kshatriyas.


Q) What was the Buddhist perspective on the varna order?

Answer: Early Buddhism challenged the varna system, rejecting the notion of inherited status and emphasizing the fluidity of social positions.


Q) What was the role of generosity in ancient Tamilakam?

Answer: In ancient Tamilakam, chiefs were expected to share their wealth with bards and poets, valuing generosity rather than mere accumulation.


Q) What was the Buddhist explanation for the origin of kingship?

Answer: Buddhists proposed an alternative narrative, suggesting that human greed and conflict led to the institution of kingship, with taxes as payment for services.


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