HISTORY
HARAPPAN CIVILIZATION
Q.1 Which metal was more suitable to make tools and weapons? Why?
Ans.1 Bronze, a metal made by the mixing of copper with zinc or tin, was used to manufacture tools and
weapons as it was harder and more ductile than copper.
Q.2 What do you mean by the term ‘Culture’ in the Harappan Civilization? Give few examples.
Ans.2 The term ‘Culture’ is used by the archaeologist for a group of objects distinctive in style, that are
usually found together in a specific geographical area and period of time. In case of the Harappan
Civilization, these distinctive objects are seals, weights, stone blades and baked bricks.
Q.3 Give a few features and the information it provides about the Harappan civilization:
i. The Great Bath
i. The Great Bath was one of the largest buildings at Mohenjo-Daro. It features are –
It had a rectangular tank in a courtyard surrounded by a corridor on all four sides
To make the pool watertight, burnt bricks and mortar lined with bitumen and gypsum were used.
There were porticos and sets of rooms, and a stairway which led to an upper storey. Which were
believed to be used for changing clothes.
The information it provides about the Harappan civilization is –
It showed that the art of building has reached a high degree of perfection by that time
It pointed that there might have been a ruling class that could mobilize labour, collect taxes and
build such huge structures for the public
It portrays the efficient planning in the structural features
ii. The Citadel
ii. The raised area of each city was called the Citadel. Its features are –
It has the houses of the ruling classes
It also has important buildings like the granary, the assembly hall and the workshops.
The information it provides about the Harappan civilization is –
It points to the elaborate planning that went into the development of cities and justifies that
Harappan civilization was an urban civilization
The presence of such building and houses of ruling class indicated there might have been some
political organization and social classification
There were building on the Citadel probably meant for public purposes like the granary and the
Great Bath.
iii. Seals
iii. Seals used by the Harappans showed their artistic skills. About 2000 seals were discovered. It features
are –
Most of them had pictures of the one-horned bull, buffalo, tiger, goat, elephant and rhinoceros
, They were mostly made of terracotta, steatite, agate, etc.
Most of them were in rectangular or square shape.
The information it provides about the Harappan civilization is –
The seals of Pashupati showed that the Harappans believed in Lord Shiva.
The unicorn seal shows their mythical belief
The seals were made mainly for commercial purposes. They were used by the traders to stamp
their goods. They were found in different regions which showed the vast extent of the Harappan
trade
Q.4 Describe the bearded man briefly.
Ans.4 The bearded man statue was found in Mohenjo-Daro. It has a shawl worn over the left shoulder
and the eyes are half-closed as if in a state of meditation. Some believe that this is a statue of a yogi or
priest. It shows the high artistic value of the artisans of the Harappan Civilization.
Q.5 Describe the dancing girl briefly.
Ans.5 The bronze statue of the dancing girl was found in Mohenjo-Daro. It is a masterpiece of art which
shows the high degree of development in the art of sculpture. The statue shows vigor, variety and
ingenuity. The right arm of the girl rests on the hip and the left land is heavily bangled. There is a small;
bowl against her left leg.
Q.6 What was the extent of the Civilization?
Ans.6 The Harappan culture covered parts of Punjab, Haryana, Sindh, Baluchistan, Gujarat, Rajasthan
and the fringes of Western Uttar Pradesh.
Q.7 Tell the common elements between Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa.
Ans.7 The common elements between Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa are –
Both are located on river banks – Mohenjo-Daro on the right bank of Indus and Harappa on the left
bank of Ravi
Both measure around 5km in circuit
Ground plans including layout of streets, blocks of houses were common to both the cities
Water supply, drainage and granaries were common in both the cities
Indoor plumbing, paves bathrooms, brick drainpipes, a network of brick-lined sewage channel is
seen in both the cities.
Q.8 Name any four cities.
Ans.8 Cities of the Harappan civilization included Harappa in Montgomery district Punjab, Mohenjo-Daro
in Larkana district of Sindh, Chanhudaro, Lothal in Gujrat, Kalibangan in northern Rajasthan and
Banawali in Hissar district Haryana
Q.9 Which cities were important centers for metallurgy? Where was gold, copper and lead imported
from?
Ans.9 Cities like Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa and Lothal were important centers for metallurgy. Gold was
imported from North Karnataka and Afghanistan, copper was imported from Rajasthan, South India,
Baluchistan and Arabia and lead was imported from either East or South India.
,Q.10 Describe any four features of the town.
Ans.10 The main features of a town were –
Each city was divided into two parts: The Citadel and the lower town
The main street followed a grid pattern running from north to south or east to west
The houses at the street corners were rounded to allow carts to pass easily
House drains empties all waste water into street drains
The street crossed the main road at right angles, dividing the city into square or rectangle blocks.
Q.11 Describe the characteristics of the houses.
Ans.11 The characteristics of the houses are –
High mound was built in order to protect from floods and their foundations were deep for
protection from earthquakes
Each house had covered drains connected with street drains
The entrances were from the narrow lanes which cut the street at a right angle
It was made of brick and wood. Each house has doors, windows and ventilators.
Q.12 Which cities were important centers for metallurgy? Where was gold, copper and lead imported
from?
Ans.12 Cities like Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa and Lothal were important centers for metallurgy. Gold was
imported from North Karnataka and Afghanistan, copper was imported from Rajasthan, South India,
Baluchistan and Arabia and lead was imported from either East or South India.
Q.13 Tell any three causes for the decline of the Harappan Civilization?
Ans.13 The causes for the decline of the Harappan Civilization are –
The floods in Mohenjo-Daro led to abandonment of the settlement.
The ecological disturbance caused by the increased aridity and shift in drainage pattern
Enormous quantity of wood was cut to make bronze, baked bricks, jewellery, pottery, stoneware,
making of boats and furniture. So much deforestation led to climate change in the region
THE VEDIC PERIOD
Q.1 Differentiate between Shruti and Smriti.
Ans.1 The Vedic literature was divided into two parts: Shruti and Smriti. It is believed that the Shruti was
revealed to the sages by God and they passed on the knowledge orally from generation to generation.
Whereas, Smriti literature was composed by the Rishis.
Q.2 Name all the 4 Vedas. Describe any two.
Ans.2 There are four Vedas: Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and he Atharva Veda.
Rig Veda – It is known as ‘the first testament of mankind’. It is divided into 10 mandalas. The hymns
are dedicated by the sages to the Gods. They were passes on orally form teachers to their disciples.
The are authentic sources of knowledge of life of the people of that time. Most of Indian
philosophy is based on the Rig Veda. It also contains the famous ‘Gayatri Mantra’.
Atharva Veda – The hymns in this Veda deals with magic and charm. Besides power of spirits, the
hymns deal with gyan(knowledge), karma(action) and upasana(invocation). Some also deal with
medicines for the treatment of various diseases.
, Q.3 Name the four Vedas and state what the hymns in each Veda deal with?
Ans.3 The four Vedas and the hymns of each are-
Rig Veda- The hymns are dedicated by the sages to gods
Sama Veda- the hymns in Sama Veda were meant to be sung at the time of the sacrifice by the
priests
Yajur Veda- The hymns of this Veda deal with hymns recited during the performance of yajnas
Atharva Veda- The hymns dealt with magic and charms
Q.4 Name the epics written during the later Vedic Period.
Ans.4 Mahabharata and Ramayana.
Q.5 State the difference in the position of women between the Early Vedic and Later Vedic Age.
Ans.5 During the early Vedic period women were respected and enjoyed equal
Whereas, in the later Vedic period there was a significant decline in the status of women.
Q.6 Differentiate between Early and Later Vedic period on the basis of Society and Economy.
Early Vedic Age Later Vedic Age
Family was the basic unit Joint family system prevailed
Women enjoyed equal rights Significant decline in status of women
Rigid caste system did not prevail The cate system became rigid
Gurukul system of education Gurukul system was further enlarged
Food included milk, barley, fruits, vegetables and Consumption od meat was reduced. Rice became
meat staple cereal
Worship of nature and natural phenomena Religion became more complex
prevailed
Indra, Agni, Varuna, Mitra, Surya, etc. were Brahma; Ram and Krishna as incarnations of
worshipped Vishnu and Shiva came to be worshipped
Absence of temples and idols. Hymns were Brahmins introduced many rituals and made their
chanted in the open. Worship of forefathers and position secure. Faith in superstitions and spells.
belief in life after death prevailed New principles like penance, doctrines of Karma,
Dharma and Moksha prevailed
In the beginning the main occupation was Agriculture became the chief occupation while
domestication of animals and agriculture was domestication of animal also continued
secondary
Cattle was the important source of wealth Land was the important source of wealth
Many engaged in trade and commerce. Dyeing, Traders guilds has come up and trade had
embroidery, carpentry, weaving, pottery and become very important. Besides occupations of
crafts in gold and iron were important earlier period, many new occupations like
occupations physicians, musicians, and many other
professions emerged.
Q.7 Briefly describe the importance of epics written during Vedic period.
Ans.7 The importance of epics written during Vedic period are –
HARAPPAN CIVILIZATION
Q.1 Which metal was more suitable to make tools and weapons? Why?
Ans.1 Bronze, a metal made by the mixing of copper with zinc or tin, was used to manufacture tools and
weapons as it was harder and more ductile than copper.
Q.2 What do you mean by the term ‘Culture’ in the Harappan Civilization? Give few examples.
Ans.2 The term ‘Culture’ is used by the archaeologist for a group of objects distinctive in style, that are
usually found together in a specific geographical area and period of time. In case of the Harappan
Civilization, these distinctive objects are seals, weights, stone blades and baked bricks.
Q.3 Give a few features and the information it provides about the Harappan civilization:
i. The Great Bath
i. The Great Bath was one of the largest buildings at Mohenjo-Daro. It features are –
It had a rectangular tank in a courtyard surrounded by a corridor on all four sides
To make the pool watertight, burnt bricks and mortar lined with bitumen and gypsum were used.
There were porticos and sets of rooms, and a stairway which led to an upper storey. Which were
believed to be used for changing clothes.
The information it provides about the Harappan civilization is –
It showed that the art of building has reached a high degree of perfection by that time
It pointed that there might have been a ruling class that could mobilize labour, collect taxes and
build such huge structures for the public
It portrays the efficient planning in the structural features
ii. The Citadel
ii. The raised area of each city was called the Citadel. Its features are –
It has the houses of the ruling classes
It also has important buildings like the granary, the assembly hall and the workshops.
The information it provides about the Harappan civilization is –
It points to the elaborate planning that went into the development of cities and justifies that
Harappan civilization was an urban civilization
The presence of such building and houses of ruling class indicated there might have been some
political organization and social classification
There were building on the Citadel probably meant for public purposes like the granary and the
Great Bath.
iii. Seals
iii. Seals used by the Harappans showed their artistic skills. About 2000 seals were discovered. It features
are –
Most of them had pictures of the one-horned bull, buffalo, tiger, goat, elephant and rhinoceros
, They were mostly made of terracotta, steatite, agate, etc.
Most of them were in rectangular or square shape.
The information it provides about the Harappan civilization is –
The seals of Pashupati showed that the Harappans believed in Lord Shiva.
The unicorn seal shows their mythical belief
The seals were made mainly for commercial purposes. They were used by the traders to stamp
their goods. They were found in different regions which showed the vast extent of the Harappan
trade
Q.4 Describe the bearded man briefly.
Ans.4 The bearded man statue was found in Mohenjo-Daro. It has a shawl worn over the left shoulder
and the eyes are half-closed as if in a state of meditation. Some believe that this is a statue of a yogi or
priest. It shows the high artistic value of the artisans of the Harappan Civilization.
Q.5 Describe the dancing girl briefly.
Ans.5 The bronze statue of the dancing girl was found in Mohenjo-Daro. It is a masterpiece of art which
shows the high degree of development in the art of sculpture. The statue shows vigor, variety and
ingenuity. The right arm of the girl rests on the hip and the left land is heavily bangled. There is a small;
bowl against her left leg.
Q.6 What was the extent of the Civilization?
Ans.6 The Harappan culture covered parts of Punjab, Haryana, Sindh, Baluchistan, Gujarat, Rajasthan
and the fringes of Western Uttar Pradesh.
Q.7 Tell the common elements between Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa.
Ans.7 The common elements between Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa are –
Both are located on river banks – Mohenjo-Daro on the right bank of Indus and Harappa on the left
bank of Ravi
Both measure around 5km in circuit
Ground plans including layout of streets, blocks of houses were common to both the cities
Water supply, drainage and granaries were common in both the cities
Indoor plumbing, paves bathrooms, brick drainpipes, a network of brick-lined sewage channel is
seen in both the cities.
Q.8 Name any four cities.
Ans.8 Cities of the Harappan civilization included Harappa in Montgomery district Punjab, Mohenjo-Daro
in Larkana district of Sindh, Chanhudaro, Lothal in Gujrat, Kalibangan in northern Rajasthan and
Banawali in Hissar district Haryana
Q.9 Which cities were important centers for metallurgy? Where was gold, copper and lead imported
from?
Ans.9 Cities like Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa and Lothal were important centers for metallurgy. Gold was
imported from North Karnataka and Afghanistan, copper was imported from Rajasthan, South India,
Baluchistan and Arabia and lead was imported from either East or South India.
,Q.10 Describe any four features of the town.
Ans.10 The main features of a town were –
Each city was divided into two parts: The Citadel and the lower town
The main street followed a grid pattern running from north to south or east to west
The houses at the street corners were rounded to allow carts to pass easily
House drains empties all waste water into street drains
The street crossed the main road at right angles, dividing the city into square or rectangle blocks.
Q.11 Describe the characteristics of the houses.
Ans.11 The characteristics of the houses are –
High mound was built in order to protect from floods and their foundations were deep for
protection from earthquakes
Each house had covered drains connected with street drains
The entrances were from the narrow lanes which cut the street at a right angle
It was made of brick and wood. Each house has doors, windows and ventilators.
Q.12 Which cities were important centers for metallurgy? Where was gold, copper and lead imported
from?
Ans.12 Cities like Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa and Lothal were important centers for metallurgy. Gold was
imported from North Karnataka and Afghanistan, copper was imported from Rajasthan, South India,
Baluchistan and Arabia and lead was imported from either East or South India.
Q.13 Tell any three causes for the decline of the Harappan Civilization?
Ans.13 The causes for the decline of the Harappan Civilization are –
The floods in Mohenjo-Daro led to abandonment of the settlement.
The ecological disturbance caused by the increased aridity and shift in drainage pattern
Enormous quantity of wood was cut to make bronze, baked bricks, jewellery, pottery, stoneware,
making of boats and furniture. So much deforestation led to climate change in the region
THE VEDIC PERIOD
Q.1 Differentiate between Shruti and Smriti.
Ans.1 The Vedic literature was divided into two parts: Shruti and Smriti. It is believed that the Shruti was
revealed to the sages by God and they passed on the knowledge orally from generation to generation.
Whereas, Smriti literature was composed by the Rishis.
Q.2 Name all the 4 Vedas. Describe any two.
Ans.2 There are four Vedas: Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and he Atharva Veda.
Rig Veda – It is known as ‘the first testament of mankind’. It is divided into 10 mandalas. The hymns
are dedicated by the sages to the Gods. They were passes on orally form teachers to their disciples.
The are authentic sources of knowledge of life of the people of that time. Most of Indian
philosophy is based on the Rig Veda. It also contains the famous ‘Gayatri Mantra’.
Atharva Veda – The hymns in this Veda deals with magic and charm. Besides power of spirits, the
hymns deal with gyan(knowledge), karma(action) and upasana(invocation). Some also deal with
medicines for the treatment of various diseases.
, Q.3 Name the four Vedas and state what the hymns in each Veda deal with?
Ans.3 The four Vedas and the hymns of each are-
Rig Veda- The hymns are dedicated by the sages to gods
Sama Veda- the hymns in Sama Veda were meant to be sung at the time of the sacrifice by the
priests
Yajur Veda- The hymns of this Veda deal with hymns recited during the performance of yajnas
Atharva Veda- The hymns dealt with magic and charms
Q.4 Name the epics written during the later Vedic Period.
Ans.4 Mahabharata and Ramayana.
Q.5 State the difference in the position of women between the Early Vedic and Later Vedic Age.
Ans.5 During the early Vedic period women were respected and enjoyed equal
Whereas, in the later Vedic period there was a significant decline in the status of women.
Q.6 Differentiate between Early and Later Vedic period on the basis of Society and Economy.
Early Vedic Age Later Vedic Age
Family was the basic unit Joint family system prevailed
Women enjoyed equal rights Significant decline in status of women
Rigid caste system did not prevail The cate system became rigid
Gurukul system of education Gurukul system was further enlarged
Food included milk, barley, fruits, vegetables and Consumption od meat was reduced. Rice became
meat staple cereal
Worship of nature and natural phenomena Religion became more complex
prevailed
Indra, Agni, Varuna, Mitra, Surya, etc. were Brahma; Ram and Krishna as incarnations of
worshipped Vishnu and Shiva came to be worshipped
Absence of temples and idols. Hymns were Brahmins introduced many rituals and made their
chanted in the open. Worship of forefathers and position secure. Faith in superstitions and spells.
belief in life after death prevailed New principles like penance, doctrines of Karma,
Dharma and Moksha prevailed
In the beginning the main occupation was Agriculture became the chief occupation while
domestication of animals and agriculture was domestication of animal also continued
secondary
Cattle was the important source of wealth Land was the important source of wealth
Many engaged in trade and commerce. Dyeing, Traders guilds has come up and trade had
embroidery, carpentry, weaving, pottery and become very important. Besides occupations of
crafts in gold and iron were important earlier period, many new occupations like
occupations physicians, musicians, and many other
professions emerged.
Q.7 Briefly describe the importance of epics written during Vedic period.
Ans.7 The importance of epics written during Vedic period are –
