NCERT Question-Answer Solution for Class 6 Social Science History Chapter 6 – The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation
Class 6 Social Science – Exploring Society: India and Beyond
Theme B: Tapestry of the Past
History Chapter 6: The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation
Complete NCERT Question–Answer Set for Class 6 Social Science (Exploring Society: India and Beyond Textbook)
Class 6 Science NCERT Solution – History Chapter 6: The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation
History – The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation – Full NCERT Question–Answer Solution (CBSE Class 6 Social Science – Exploring Society: India and Beyond Book)
Chapter 6: The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation Full NCERT Question–Answer Set
THE BIG QUESTIONS
1. What is a civilisation?
Answer:
A civilisation is an advanced stage of human society where people live in organised communities. It includes features such as government and administration, well-planned cities, developed agriculture, trade, crafts, writing, and cultural traditions. A civilisation shows how humans cooperate to manage resources and live together in a structured way.
2. What was the earliest civilisation of the Indian Subcontinent?
Answer:
The earliest civilisation of the Indian Subcontinent was the Harappan civilisation, also known as the Indus civilisation or Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation. It developed around 2600 BCE in the north-western region of the Subcontinent along the Indus and Sarasvatī rivers.
3. What were its major achievements?
Answer:
The Harappan civilisation achieved remarkable progress in town-planning, water management, agriculture, crafts, trade, and administration. It had well-planned cities with drainage systems, reservoirs, brick houses, and warehouses. The Harappans developed agriculture, domesticated animals, produced cotton, practised metallurgy, and carried out long-distance trade by land and sea.
THINK ABOUT IT – ANSWERS
Which characteristic of civilisation is the most fundamental?
Answer:
Productive agriculture is the most fundamental characteristic because it provides food for both villages and cities. Without sufficient food, cities cannot survive, and other developments such as trade, crafts, and administration cannot exist. Agriculture supports all other features of civilisation.
Why is the term “Indus Valley civilisation” considered obsolete?
Answer:
The term “Indus Valley civilisation” is obsolete because archaeological discoveries show that the civilisation extended far beyond the Indus Valley. Many major cities and settlements were found along the Sarasvatī River and in regions such as Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Therefore, the civilisation covered a much wider area.
What do the reservoirs at Dholavira tell us about its administration?
Answer:
The reservoirs at Dholavira show that the city had strong planning and administration. Organising workers, building large stone reservoirs, maintaining underground drains, and managing water supply required authority and coordination. This suggests that Dholavira had a capable ruler or municipal administration.
LET’S EXPLORE – ANSWERS
1. Professions related to features of civilisation
Answer:
• Government – rulers, administrators, officials
• Urbanism – architects, builders, engineers
• Crafts – potters, metalworkers, bead makers
• Trade – traders, transporters, sailors
• Writing – scribes, record keepers
• Agriculture – farmers, plough makers
• Culture – artists, storytellers, priests
2. Matching Harappan cities with modern regions (corrected)
Answer:
| Harappan City | Modern Region |
|---|---|
| Dholavira | Gujarat |
| Harappa | Punjab (Pakistan) |
| Kalibangan | Rajasthan |
| Mohenjo-daro | Sindh (Pakistan) |
| Rakhigarhi | Haryana |
3. Possible purpose of the Great Bath
Answer:
The Great Bath may have been used for religious or ritual purposes. Its careful waterproofing, well-planned drainage, and special rooms suggest that it had symbolic importance. Since most houses had bathrooms, it was unlikely to be a public bathing place.
4. Meal cooked in a Harappan house
Answer:
A Harappan meal could include wheat or barley bread, lentils, vegetables, dairy products, and fish or meat. Spices like turmeric and ginger may be used. Cotton cloth would be worn while cooking.
5. Interpretation of Harappan seals
Answer:
Harappan seals were probably used to identify traders or goods. The animal symbols and writing signs may have represented clans, professions, or trade authorities. They played an important role in trade and administration.
MAIN TEXT QUESTIONS
Why are the inhabitants called Harappans?
Answer:
They are called Harappans because Harappa was the first site of this civilisation to be excavated in 1920–21. Archaeologists named the civilisation after this city.
What was the First Urbanisation of India?
Answer:
The First Urbanisation of India refers to the development of towns and cities during the Harappan civilisation around 2600 BCE. It was the first time large urban centres appeared in the Indian Subcontinent.
What was the importance of the Sarasvatī River?
Answer:
The Sarasvatī River supported many Harappan settlements. It is mentioned in the Ṛig Veda as a mighty river. Its drying up led to the abandonment of many cities and contributed to the decline of the civilisation.
Describe Harappan town-planning.
Answer:
Harappan cities were built on planned layouts with wide streets aligned in straight lines. Cities had upper and lower towns, fortifications, warehouses, and brick houses. Construction quality was similar for rich and poor houses, showing social balance.
How did the Harappans manage water?
Answer:
They built wells, reservoirs, drains, and bathrooms. Wastewater flowed through underground drains. Cities like Dholavira had large stone reservoirs connected by channels for water harvesting and distribution.
What crops did the Harappans grow?
Answer:
They grew wheat, barley, millets, rice (in some areas), pulses, vegetables, and cotton. They also domesticated animals and practised fishing.
Describe Harappan trade.
Answer:
The Harappans traded within their civilisation and with distant regions. They exported beads, ornaments, cotton, timber, and ivory goods. Trade was carried out through land routes, rivers, and sea routes. Lothal had a dockyard for maritime trade.
What were Harappan seals used for?
Answer:
Harappan seals were used to identify goods and traders. They likely helped in trade and record-keeping. The writing on seals remains undeciphered.
What objects tell us about Harappan life?
Answer:
Objects such as mirrors, pots, weights, tools, toys, figurines, seals, and jewellery show that Harappans valued cleanliness, trade, art, entertainment, and religious ideas.
END-OF-CHAPTER QUESTIONS
1. Why does this civilisation have several names?
Answer:
It has several names because it spread across different regions. It is called Harappan after Harappa, Indus after the Indus River, and Indus-Sarasvatī because many settlements were along both rivers. Each name reflects a different aspect of the civilisation.
2. Achievements of the Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation (150–200 words)
Answer:
The Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation was one of the most advanced ancient civilisations. It developed planned cities with wide streets, drainage systems, wells, and reservoirs. The Harappans practised productive agriculture and were the first to grow cotton. They excelled in crafts such as bead-making, pottery, metallurgy, and shell work. Trade was carried out by land and sea, supported by seals and dockyards like Lothal. The civilisation showed social balance, efficient administration, and a high civic sense. Despite its decline, many of its cultural and technological practices continued in later Indian civilisation.
3. Travel options from Harappa to Kalibangan
Answer:
Travel could be done by land using carts or animals, by river routes, or a combination of both. River travel would be faster than land travel. Land travel would take several days, while river routes might reduce travel time.
4. Biggest surprises in a modern kitchen for Harappan visitor
Answer:
Gas stoves, refrigerators, pressure cookers, electric appliances, packaged foods, running tap water, and modern utensils would surprise a Harappan visitor.
5. Familiar objects still used today
Answer:
Bangles, mirrors, pottery, namaste gesture, games, beads, ploughs, and water storage practices still feel familiar today.
6. Mindset shown by Dholavira reservoirs
Answer:
They reflect foresight, planning, cooperation, and concern for public welfare. Water conservation was clearly a priority.
7. Significance of 700 wells in Mohenjo-daro
Answer:
It shows advanced engineering, regular maintenance, strong administration, and concern for clean water over centuries.
8. High civic sense of Harappans
Answer:
The Harappans had clean cities, drainage systems, planned housing, and public facilities. Compared to many modern cities, their civic sense was highly developed.