Beginnings of Indian Civilization – Very Short Answer Type Questions
Class 6
Social Science
Theme B
Chapter 6
CBSE Class 6 Social Science — Theme B: Tapestry of the Past — Chapter 6
Beginnings of Indian Civilization (Indus Valley)
Beginnings of Indian Civilization (Indus Valley)
Very Short Answer Questions & Answers — NCERT-aligned for quick revision and CBSE practice
Content Bank (Chapter 6)
Topics covered: Origins & timeline, Major Harappan sites, Town planning, Public buildings & sanitation, Economy & trade, Crafts & technology, Social life & religion, Writing & seals, Decline & legacy.
Overview & Timeline (1–6)
Q1. What is another name for the Indus Valley Civilization?
A1. The Harappan Civilization.
Q2. Around which river system did the Indus Civilization develop?
A2. The Indus river and its tributaries.
Q3. When did the Mature Harappan phase flourish?
A3. Approximately between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE.
Q4. What preceded the Harappan towns?
A4. Earlier farming villages and rural settlements.
Q5. Name one activity that helped villages grow into towns.
A5. Surplus agriculture produced food for growing populations.
Q6. Why are archaeologists important for this chapter?
A6. They excavate sites and interpret artefacts to reconstruct the past.
Major Harappan Sites (7–14)
Q7. Which site gives the name to the civilization?
A7. Harappa.
Q8. Which site is famous for the Great Bath?
A8. Mohenjo-daro.
Q9. Which Harappan site had a dock and evidence of maritime trade?
A9. Lothal.
Q10. Name a Harappan site in present-day Gujarat.
A10. Dholavira.
Q11. Which site is known for its large size and recent excavations in India?
A11. Rakhigarhi.
Q12. Give one reason why different sites are important.
A12. Each site provides unique artefacts and local practices that help understand regional variations.
Q13. Where were many Harappan sites located geographically?
A13. In the Indus basin and adjoining regions of northwest India and Pakistan.
Q14. Why should students practice map work for this chapter?
A14. To be able to locate major Harappan sites in exams.
Town Planning & Public Buildings (15–22)
Q15. What pattern were streets often laid out in?
A15. A grid pattern.
Q16. What was the higher area in many cities called?
A16. The Citadel.
Q17. Name a public structure found at Mohenjo-daro.
A17. The Great Bath.
Q18. What do covered drains beside streets show?
A18. Advanced drainage and concern for sanitation.
Q19. What kind of bricks did Harappans commonly use?
A19. Standardised fired (baked) bricks.
Q20. Why were granaries important?
A20. For storing surplus food and managing resources.
Q21. What suggests planned construction and measurements?
A21. Standard sizes of bricks and uniform city layouts.
Q22. Did houses have private wells and bathrooms?
A22. Yes, many houses had private wells and bathrooms.
Economy, Trade & Crafts (23–30)
Q23. Name two major crops grown by Harappans.
A23. Wheat and barley.
Q24. What shows that trade was organised?
A24. Standardised weights and seals.
Q25. Which craft involved making small decorative objects?
A25. Bead-making.
Q26. Which metals were Harappans familiar with?
A26. Copper and bronze.
Q27. How did Lothal show maritime trade?
A27. It had a dock-like structure indicating sea trade links.
Q28. Why were weights and measures useful?
A28. They ensured fairness and standardisation in trade.
Q29. Name one item Harappans exported or traded.
A29. Beads and crafted goods; they also traded with Mesopotamia.
Q30. What role did craftsmen play in the economy?
A30. Craftsmen produced goods for local use and trade, supporting the economy.
Social Life, Religion & Writing (31–36)
Q31. What suggests social differences in Harappan towns?
A31. Variation in house sizes and specialised workshops.
Q32. Name an artefact related to Harappan religion.
A32. Terracotta figurines (Mother Goddess figures).
Q33. What might the Great Bath indicate?
A33. Possible ritual or communal bathing activities.
Q34. Where is Harappan script mainly found?
A34. On seals and pottery.
Q35. Has the Harappan script been deciphered?
A35. No, the script remains undeciphered.
Q36. What limits historians' knowledge about Harappan rulers?
A36. The undeciphered script and lack of clear royal inscriptions.
Crafts & Technology (37–41)
Q37. Name a craft in which Harappans excelled.
A37. Pottery and bead-making.
Q38. What shows skilled metalwork?
A38. Use of copper and bronze tools and ornaments.
Q39. How did standard bricks help construction?
A39. They made building faster and more uniform.
Q40. Which craft item was often used in trade and decoration?
A40. Beads made from semi-precious stones.
Q41. What does evidence of spinning and weaving suggest?
A41. That textile production was an important household craft.
Decline & Legacy (42–46)
Q42. Around when did Harappan urban life begin to decline?
A42. Around 1900 BCE onwards.
Q43. Name one environmental reason for decline.
A43. River shifts or droughts affecting agriculture.
Q44. How did trade impact the decline?
A44. Decrease in long-distance trade may have weakened urban centres.
Q45. Give one example of Harappan legacy.
A45. Continued craft techniques and settlement patterns in later periods.
Q46. Did all Harappan settlements disappear at once?
A46. No, decline was gradual and varied by region.
Quick Revision & Map Skills (47–50)
Q47. Write one short sentence describing the Harappan script.
A47. A short script found on seals that remains undeciphered.
Q48. What should you mark on a map from this chapter?
A48. Major Harappan sites like Harappa, Mohenjo-daro and Dholavira.
Q49. Give one quick tip for answering source-based questions.
A49. Link artefact evidence to daily life or economy in one sentence.
Q50. How long should a very short answer be in exams?
A50. Usually 20–40 words (concise and to the point).
Note: These 50 very short questions and answers are written to align with NCERT Class 6 History Chapter "Beginnings of Indian Civilization" and are ideal for quick revision and CBSE-style practice. Use them for oral quizzes, flashcards, and short tests.