Chapter 8
The beginning of Indian civilization
Exercise-1
1. By answering the following questions-
(a) What is meant by civilization?
Answer: Civilization is a complex form of human social, religious, economic, political, moral and cultural development. Civilization requires the development of language, script, urban development, religious beliefs, science, art, literature and other directions.
(b) Mention the characteristics of civilization.
Answer: 1 . Characteristics of civilization are:
2. Nagarayana
3. Crop production and food storage
4. Commercial development
5. Development of script and language
6. Political system of governance
7. Religious beliefs
Development of art, architecture and science
(c) A civilization flourished on the banks of the Nile River.
Answer: The civilization of Egypt flourished along the banks of the Nile River.
(d) Name any two ancient civilizations.
Answer: 1. Indus Civilization
2. Mesopotamian civilization
Exercise-2
1. By answering the following questions-
(a) Indus civilization is known by what name?
Ans: Harappan civilization is known as Indus civilization.
(b) Name any two places of Harappan civilization.
Answer: 1. Mahenjodaro
2. Lothal
(c) The cities of Harappan civilization were built.
Answer: The cities of Harappan civilization were built in a planned manner. The nagarbora included separate areas for the living and the dead, paved roads, drainage systems, large baths, warehouses, gated houses, etc.
2. Chimootaka writing:
(a) Saraswati River
Answer: The Saraswati river was now an ancient river, whose banks are dotted with many Harappan structures.
(b) Basta-Ghat
Ans: There were ditches and circular ghats on both sides of the paved roads inside the city, which helped in the drainage of water.
(c) Door-to-door
Ans: The houses were built in Eta and most of the houses were private along the Dwarbo direction.
(d) Water drainage system
Answer: One of the hallmarks of the Harappan civilization was its advanced mining system. All the houses had water-drainage systems which converged into large drainage canals.
3. "The inhabitants of the Harappan civilization at that time gave special importance to chaf-chikunkai thakat."- explained.
Answer: The people of Harappan civilization kept their houses and cities clean. There was a specific arrangement for the disposal of faeces and urine after the house. Also, the large bathing area at Mohenjo Daro shows the importance of public bathing and cleanliness. It shows that at that time people gave importance to health and cleanliness.
Exercise-3
1. By answering the following questions-
(a) What professions did the people of Harappan civilization engage in?
Answer: The people of Harappan civilization were involved in agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, spinning, pottery, metallurgy, trade etc.
(b) With which regions did the people of Harappan civilization have trade relations? What is the evidence of Harappan trade relations with the outside world?
Answer: The people of Harappan civilization had trade relations with Mesopotamia, Afghanistan, Persian Gulf. As evidence, Mechapotamian stone seals are symbols of the Indus civilization, foreign materials (limestone, wood) found in Harappan sites are noteworthy.
(c) What crops did the people of Harappan civilization cultivate?
Answer: The people of Harappan civilization cultivated wheat, sorghum, sorghum, sesame, sorghum, cow food and cotton as primary crops.
(d) Which handicrafts were in vogue during Harappan civilization?
Ans: Handicrafts include clay and metal manufacture, ornaments, carved seals, cotton thread, etc.
(f) On what basis can we say that Harappan civilization is related to Mesopotamian and Roman civilization?
Answer: On the basis of various excavated foreign materials, seals, scripts, seals etc. it is assumed that there was commercial relationship between Mesopotamian and Roman civilizations between Harappan.
2. Chamutoka write:
(a) Harappan Subsistence
Answer: The main livelihood of the Harappans was agriculture, animal husbandry, trade and handicrafts. Also fishing and pottery were involved.
(b) Harappan trade
Ans: The Harappan people did domestic as well as foreign trade by land and sea. The port of Lothal was a major trading center.
Exercise-4
1. By answering the following questions-
(a) What is a 'unicorn'?
Ans: 'Unicorn' is a horned animal found on the Harappan stone seals, which is found in the temples today.
(b) What animals are depicted on the rock-seals?
Ans: The image of lions, tigers, elephants, buffaloes, deers, cows, goats are depicted on the stone seals.
(c) What are the contents of the Harappan script?
Answer: Harappan script is found on seals, earthen vessels, metal objects, stone plaques etc.
2. Chamutoka write:
(a) Religious beliefs of the Harappan period
Answer: Harappan people gave importance to energy worship. Mother goddess worship, Pashupati idols, trees and animals were worshipped.
(b) Language and script of the Harappan period
Ans: The Harappan people were now using a sign based script, which is still illegible. After the script was written directly, the bully was caught.
Exercise-5
1. By answering the following questions-
(a) Where were most of the houses of the Harappan civilization?
Answer: Most houses of the Harappan civilization were built of two or three huts. Each house had household appliances, bathroom, toilet and drainage system. Doors usually face the direction of the road.
