Beginnings of Indian Civilisation – Short Questions

Short Questions and Answers “Beginnings of Indian Civilisation – Indus Valley Civilization” designed for CBSE Class 6 exam preparation.

Theme B — Tapestry of the Past

Chapter: Beginnings of Indian Civilization (Indus Valley Civilization)

Section A: Early Human Settlements (10 Questions)

Q1. How did early humans live before farming began?
Early humans were hunter-gatherers. They lived in caves and forests, used stone tools, and moved from place to place in search of food. Their life was simple and dependent on nature.

Q2. What was the importance of fire in early human life?
Fire provided warmth, safety from wild animals, and a way to cook food. It also became important for social gatherings. The discovery of fire marked a turning point in human development.

Q3. How did farming change the life of early humans?
Farming allowed humans to settle in one place. They started growing crops like wheat and barley and domesticating animals. This gave rise to permanent settlements and villages.

Q4. What role did rivers play in early settlements?
Rivers provided water for drinking, farming, and transport. Fertile soil along riverbanks helped in growing crops. Most early civilizations, including the Indus Valley Civilization, developed near rivers.

Q5. What is meant by domestication of animals?
Domestication means taming animals for human use. Early humans domesticated cattle, goats, and sheep. These animals provided milk, meat, and helped in farming.

Q6. Name two important crops grown in early settlements.
Wheat and barley were among the first crops grown. These crops were suitable for the fertile soil near rivers.

Q7. What are some tools used by early humans?
Early humans used stone, bone, and wooden tools. These were used for hunting, digging, and gathering food. Over time, tools became sharper and more specialized.

Q8. Why did people shift from caves to houses?
With farming, people needed permanent shelters. They built mud and brick houses to store grain and protect themselves. This marked the beginning of village life.

Q9. How did early humans store surplus food?
They used clay pots, storage pits, and granaries. This helped them save food for future use. Surplus food also encouraged trade.

Q10. How did trade begin in early times?
Surplus food and handmade goods were exchanged. People bartered goods like grains, beads, and tools. This exchange laid the foundation of early commerce.

Section B: Discovery and Geography of the Indus Valley Civilization (10 Questions)

Q11. Who discovered the Indus Valley Civilization?
The civilization was discovered in the 1920s by R.D. Banerjee and Sir John Marshall. Harappa was the first site found.

Q12. Why is it called the Harappan Civilization?
It is called the Harappan Civilization because Harappa was the first city discovered. Later, many more sites were excavated.

Q13. What was the time period of the Indus Valley Civilization?
It flourished between 2500 BCE and 1500 BCE. Some sites may be even older.

Q14. Name two important cities of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were two major cities. Both were well-planned urban centers.

Q15. What was the geographical extent of the Indus Valley Civilization?
It stretched from Jammu and Kashmir in the north to Gujarat in the south. From Afghanistan in the west to Uttar Pradesh in the east. It covered a very large area.

Q16. Name four important Harappan sites and their discoveries.

• Harappa: Granaries and seals.
• Mohenjo-daro: Great Bath, bronze dancing girl.
• Lothal: Dockyard, bead factory.
• Dholavira: Water reservoirs, signboard with script.

Q17. Why is the Indus Valley Civilization considered advanced?
Because of its town planning, drainage system, and organized society. It had advanced trade, crafts, and agriculture.

Q18. How was the Indus Valley Civilization different from other ancient civilizations?
It was more widespread than Egypt and Mesopotamia. Its cities were systematically planned with sanitation. It also had a peaceful character with no evidence of large-scale wars.

Q19. What is the importance of the dockyard at Lothal?
The dockyard shows that Harappans were skilled in maritime trade. They traded with Mesopotamia and other regions.

Q20. What was the size of the area covered by the Indus Valley Civilization?
It covered about 1.5 million square kilometers. This made it one of the largest civilizations of its time.

Section C: Town Planning and Architecture (10 Questions)

Q21. How were Harappan cities planned?
Cities were built on a grid system with streets crossing at right angles. They were divided into the citadel and the lower town.

Q22. What was the citadel?
The citadel was a raised, fortified area. It had important buildings like the Great Bath and granaries.

Q23. Describe the drainage system of Harappan cities.
Covered drains ran along streets and connected to each house. They had inspection holes for cleaning. This system was highly advanced.

Q24. What was the Great Bath used for?
It was a large tank used for ceremonial bathing. It shows the importance of ritual purity.

Q25. What were granaries used for?
Granaries stored surplus food grains. They ensured food security for the people.

Q26. Describe the houses of Harappans.
Houses were made of baked bricks. They had multiple rooms, courtyards, wells, and private bathrooms.

Q27. How were streets of Harappan cities designed?
Streets were wide and straight. They intersected at right angles, dividing the city into rectangular blocks.

Q28. What materials were used in construction?
Baked bricks, mud bricks, and wood were commonly used. Uniform bricks were a unique feature.

Q29. Why was sanitation important in Harappan cities?
Sanitation kept cities clean and prevented diseases. It showed the civic sense of the people.

Q30. How does Harappan town planning show civic management?
The planned streets, drainage, and water supply reflect good administration. It also shows collective cooperation.

Section D: Culture and Society (10 Questions)

Q31. What were the main clothes of Harappan people?
Men wore dhoti-like garments, while women wore long skirts and shawls. Both used cotton and wool.

Q32. What ornaments did Harappan people use?
They used gold, silver, copper, beads, and shells. Both men and women wore ornaments.

Q33. What kind of toys have been found in Harappan sites?
Terracotta toys, carts, dolls, and animal figurines were found. This shows children enjoyed play.

Q34. Describe Harappan pottery.
Pottery was mostly red with black designs. It was decorated with geometric patterns and animals.

Q35. What does the bronze dancing girl represent?
It is a small statue found at Mohenjo-daro. It shows the skill of metal workers and the love of art.

Q36. What was the Harappan script?
It had about 400 symbols. It remains undeciphered till today.

Q37. What were Harappan seals used for?
Seals had animal figures and inscriptions. They were used for trade, ownership, and identification.

Q38. Who were the main deities of Harappans?
Mother Goddess, Pashupati (Proto-Shiva), animals, and sacred trees.

Q39. What food did Harappans eat?
They ate wheat, barley, rice, peas, sesame, and meat. Fish was also part of their diet.

Q40. What games did Harappan children play?
They played with marbles, dice, and terracotta toys. Some games were similar to modern games.

Section E: Economy and Trade (10 Questions)

Q41. What was the main occupation of Harappans?
Farming was the main occupation. People grew wheat, barley, cotton, and sesame.

Q42. Which animals were domesticated by Harappans?
Cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, and camels were domesticated. Elephants were also used.

Q43. How do we know Harappans traded with Mesopotamia?
Seals with Mesopotamian symbols have been found. Items like beads and cotton were exported.

Q44. What items were exported from Harappa?
Cotton textiles, beads, shells, and ivory.

Q45. What items were imported into Harappa?
Tin, copper, gold, and precious stones.

Q46. How were weights and measures used in trade?
Harappans used uniform weights and measures. This ensured fair trade practices.

Q47. What evidence shows Harappans were good sailors?
The dockyard at Lothal proves maritime trade. Boats and river transport were also used.

Q48. What were the main crafts of Harappans?
Pottery, bead-making, jewelry, and metalwork.

Q49. Why is cotton important in Harappan economy?
India was the first to grow cotton. Cotton textiles were traded widely.

Q50. How was surplus food important for Harappans?
It supported trade, crafts, and urban growth. Surplus allowed specialization of jobs.

Section F: Decline and Legacy (10 Questions)

Q51. What were the main reasons for the decline of Harappan Civilization?
Floods, droughts, invasions, and shifting rivers are main reasons. Decline was gradual.

Q52. Did Aryans play a role in Harappan decline?
Some historians suggest Aryans invaded Harappan cities. But this is still debated.

Q53. How did natural disasters affect Harappan life?
Earthquakes, river changes, and droughts damaged agriculture and cities. People abandoned settlements.

Q54. What happened to Harappan cities after decline?
By 1500 BCE, most cities were deserted. Some small settlements continued in rural areas.

Q55. What is the legacy of Harappan town planning?
The grid system and drainage influenced later Indian cities. It shows India’s early urban skills.

Q56. How did Harappan agriculture influence later societies?
Crops like wheat, barley, and cotton continued in later Indian farming. Techniques were passed down.

Q57. How did Harappan religion influence later Hinduism?
Worship of Mother Goddess and Proto-Shiva linked to later Hindu practices. Sacred animals and trees continued as symbols.

Q58. Why is the Harappan script important even if undeciphered?
It shows they had a writing system. It may have been used for trade and administration.

Q59. How did Harappans contribute to Indian art?
Their pottery, sculptures, and seals inspired later crafts. Art was both functional and decorative.

Q60. Why is the Indus Valley Civilization called the foundation of Indian civilization?
It laid the base for town planning, farming, trade, and cultural practices. Its traditions influenced later Indian life.

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