CBSE Study Material Based on NCERT

Course: CBSE Class 6 – General Knowledge

Unit 2: Indian History & Heritage

Lesson: Indus Valley Civilization

Study Module

Introduction

The Indus Valley Civilization was one of the earliest urban civilizations of the world. It developed along the banks of the Indus River and its tributaries around 2600 BCE. This civilization is also known as the Harappan Civilization, named after its first discovered site, Harappa. The Indus Valley Civilization shows advanced town planning, well-developed drainage systems, and a strong economic and social structure.

Discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization

• Discovered in the 1920s during archaeological excavations
• Major sites include Harappa and Mohenjo-daro
• The civilization flourished in present-day north-western India and Pakistan

Major Cities of the Civilization

Harappa

• Located on the banks of the Ravi River
• Known for granaries and well-planned streets

Mohenjo-daro

• Located on the banks of the Indus River
• Famous for the Great Bath and advanced drainage system

Town Planning

The Indus Valley cities were well-planned and carefully designed.

Key Features

• Cities divided into upper town (citadel) and lower town
• Streets laid out in a grid pattern
• Houses made of baked bricks
• Well-connected drainage system

Houses and Drainage System

• Houses had bathrooms and wells
• Drains were covered and connected to main drains
• Wastewater was carried away efficiently

This shows a high level of civic sense and urban planning.

Economic Life

Agriculture

• Main occupation of the people
• Crops grown included wheat, barley, and cotton

Trade and Commerce

• Trade was carried out with distant regions
• Use of seals for trade
• Barter system was common

Social and Religious Life

• People worshipped nature and animals
• Seals show figures believed to be gods and goddesses
• Burial practices suggest belief in life after death

Art and Craft

• Skilled in pottery making
• Use of beads, jewellery, and seals
• Famous artefacts include the bronze dancing girl

Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization

The exact reason for the decline is unknown.

Possible Causes

• Floods
• Changes in climate
• Drying up of rivers

Importance of the Indus Valley Civilization

• One of the earliest urban civilizations
• Advanced town planning and sanitation
• Foundation for later Indian cultures

Conclusion

The Indus Valley Civilization reflects the early brilliance of human society in planning, trade, and culture. Its achievements in urban life and administration remain remarkable even today.

Questions and Answers

Short Answer Questions (10)

1. What is another name for the Indus Valley Civilization?

It is also known as the Harappan Civilization.

2. Where did the Indus Valley Civilization develop?

It developed along the Indus River and its tributaries.

3. Name two major cities of the civilization.

Harappa and Mohenjo-daro.

4. What material was used to build houses?

Baked bricks were used.

5. What was the main occupation of the people?

Agriculture was the main occupation.

6. What shows advanced town planning in Indus cities?

The grid-pattern streets and drainage system.

7. What were seals used for?

They were used for trade and identification.

8. Name one important crop grown by the Indus people.

Wheat.

9. What artefact shows artistic skill?

The bronze dancing girl.

10. Why is the Indus Valley Civilization important?

It was one of the earliest urban civilizations.

Long Answer Questions (10)

11. Describe the town planning of the Indus Valley Civilization.

The cities were well-planned and organised.

• Streets followed a grid pattern
• Cities were divided into upper and lower towns
• A strong drainage system ensured cleanliness

12. Explain the drainage system of the Indus Valley cities.

The drainage system was highly advanced.

• Covered drains ran along streets
• Houses had connected drains
• Wastewater flowed into main drains

13. What do we know about the economic life of the Indus people?

The economy was well developed.

• Agriculture was the main occupation
• Trade was carried out using seals
• Goods were exchanged through barter

14. Describe the houses of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Houses were well-constructed.

• Made of baked bricks
• Had bathrooms and wells
• Designed for comfort and hygiene

15. Write a short note on Harappa.

Harappa was a major city of the civilization.

• Located near the Ravi River
• Known for granaries
• Well-planned settlement

16. What religious practices were followed by the Indus people?

Religious beliefs are known from seals.

• Worship of nature
• Respect for animals
• Belief in life after death

17. What were the main crafts of the Indus Valley people?

They were skilled craftsmen.

• Pottery making
• Jewellery and bead making
• Seal carving

18. How do seals help us understand the Indus Valley Civilization?

Seals provide valuable information.

• Show symbols and figures
• Indicate trade practices
• Reflect religious beliefs

19. What are the possible reasons for the decline of the civilization?

The decline had multiple causes.

• Floods
• Climate changes
• Drying of rivers

20. Why is the Indus Valley Civilization called an urban civilization?

It had city-based life.

• Planned cities
• Advanced sanitation
• Organised administration

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

MCQs with Answers and Detailed Explanations (20)

1. The Indus Valley Civilization is also known as:

a) Aryan Civilization
b) Harappan Civilization
c) Vedic Civilization
d) Gupta Civilization

Answer: b) Harappan Civilization
Explanation: It is named after Harappa, the first discovered site.

2. Which river is associated with this civilization?

a) Ganga
b) Yamuna
c) Indus
d) Brahmaputra

Answer: c) Indus
Explanation: The civilization developed along the Indus River.

3. Mohenjo-daro is located on the banks of the:

a) Ravi
b) Sutlej
c) Indus
d) Beas

Answer: c) Indus
Explanation: Mohenjo-daro lies near the Indus River.

4. What material was mainly used for construction?

a) Mud bricks
b) Stones
c) Baked bricks
d) Wood

Answer: c) Baked bricks
Explanation: Baked bricks were strong and durable.

5. Which feature shows advanced sanitation?

a) Large houses
b) Covered drains
c) High walls
d) Wide roads

Answer: b) Covered drains
Explanation: Covered drainage ensured cleanliness.

6. What was the main occupation of the people?

a) Fishing
b) Trade
c) Agriculture
d) Hunting

Answer: c) Agriculture
Explanation: Farming was the primary occupation.

7. Which artefact shows artistic skill?

a) Iron tools
b) Stone pillars
c) Bronze dancing girl
d) Copper coins

Answer: c) Bronze dancing girl
Explanation: It reflects advanced art skills.

8. What system was used for trade?

a) Money system
b) Credit system
c) Barter system
d) Banking system

Answer: c) Barter system
Explanation: Goods were exchanged directly.

9. What were seals mainly used for?

a) Decoration
b) Writing
c) Trade
d) Farming

Answer: c) Trade
Explanation: Seals identified traders and goods.

10. Which city had the Great Bath?

a) Harappa
b) Lothal
c) Mohenjo-daro
d) Dholavira

Answer: c) Mohenjo-daro
Explanation: The Great Bath is a key feature of Mohenjo-daro.

11. Which crop was grown by Indus people?

a) Rice
b) Wheat
c) Tea
d) Coffee

Answer: b) Wheat
Explanation: Wheat was a major crop.

12. How were streets arranged?

a) Zig-zag
b) Circular
c) Grid pattern
d) Random

Answer: c) Grid pattern
Explanation: Streets intersected at right angles.

13. What do burial practices suggest?

a) Fear of death
b) Love for art
c) Belief in afterlife
d) Trade skills

Answer: c) Belief in afterlife
Explanation: Burial goods indicate this belief.

14. Which craft was NOT practised?

a) Pottery
b) Bead making
c) Seal carving
d) Iron smelting

Answer: d) Iron smelting
Explanation: Iron was not used in this period.

15. What was cotton mainly used for?

a) Writing
b) Building
c) Clothing
d) Trade only

Answer: c) Clothing
Explanation: Cotton was used to make clothes.

16. Which part of the city was elevated?

a) Lower town
b) Market
c) Citadel
d) Harbour

Answer: c) Citadel
Explanation: The citadel was built on a raised platform.

17. Which animal appears frequently on seals?

a) Horse
b) Cow
c) Tiger
d) Unicorn

Answer: d) Unicorn
Explanation: The unicorn figure appears on many seals.

18. Why is the Indus script still undeciphered?

a) Too short
b) No inscriptions
c) Symbols not fully understood
d) Written in stone

Answer: c) Symbols not fully understood
Explanation: Scholars have not decoded the script.

19. Which factor may have caused the decline?

a) Foreign invasion only
b) Floods
c) Industrialisation
d) Modernisation

Answer: b) Floods
Explanation: Floods are one suggested cause.

20. Why is the Indus Valley Civilization important in history?

a) It was a nomadic society
b) It had simple villages
c) It shows early urban life
d) It was short-lived

Answer: c) It shows early urban life
Explanation: It was one of the world’s earliest urban civilizations.

This study material is strictly aligned with the NCERT syllabus and fully suitable for CBSE Class 6 examination standards.