Bricks, Beads and Bones Important short and long question Class 12 History Chapter-1 Book-Themes in Indian History-I

 

Question - What methods did archaeologists use to observe socio-economic differences in Harappan society?

Answer -

• by studying the Shabdhana 

• Identifying Luxury Items 

• By people's use of everyday objects

Question –  How do archaeologists identify craft production centres?

Answer -

• To identify craft production centres, archaeologists usually look for the following - 

• Stone nodules, shells and copper ore 

• raw materials, tools, unfinished items 

• discarded goods, rubbish, etc.

Question:  Throw light on the economic activities of the Harappans?

Answer -

• Harappans practiced agriculture

• Harappans also traded with other countries 

• The Harappans were engaged in craftsmanship

Question:  Briefly describe the large bathhouse of Mohenjodaro?

Answer -

• The Great Bath was a rectangular reservoir built in the courtyard

• It was surrounded by a corridor on all sides 

• There were stairs to go down to the bottom of the reservoir 

• It was used for a special type of ritual bath

Question:  Explain the reasons for the decline of Harappan civilization?

Answer -

• flood 

• Earthquake 

• Draught 

• Changing the course of rivers 

• alien invasion 

Question -   Who was John Marshall? What was his contribution to Indian history? Explain?

Answer -

• John Marshall was the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India

• It was under his leadership that Dayaram Sahni and Rakhal Das Banerjee discovered the Harappan civilization 

• In 1924, Marshall announced the discovery of a new civilization to the whole world

Question:  What are the main contributions or achievements of the Harappan civilization?

Answer -

• Prosperous and advanced city planning

• Excellent water drainage system

• large granary

• large bathroom

• Reservoir 

• Wells

• amazing building art 

• Social Life

• public buildings 

Question:  Describe in detail the city construction plan of Harappan civilization?

Answer -

• Harappan civilization was an urban civilization 

• The city building plan here was amazing 

• Harappa is famous for its drainage system 

• Here housing and drains were constructed with complete planning 

• Looking at the map of the cities, it becomes clear that the roads and streets were built using a grid system. 

• Special attention was paid to bathroom and privacy in the house 

• The settlement was divided into two parts, the citadel and the lower city 

• Granaries were built to store the grains 

• The Great Bath was built for public rituals

• houses were made of baked bricks 

Question –  What were the main aspects of agriculture and agricultural technology of Harappan culture?

Answer - 

• The people of Harappan civilization practiced agriculture 

• Cereal grains including wheat, barley, lentils, white gram and sesame have been found from Harappan sites. 

• Millet grains have been found in Gujarat, rice grains have been found in very less quantity

• This shows that these people were engaged in agriculture.

Agricultural Technology 

• Harappans used technology for farming 

• They used oxen and plough for ploughing 

• Evidence of ploughed fields has been found from Kalibangan 

• Wells, ponds and canals were used for irrigation

• Tools were also used for harvesting crops 

Question:  Throw light on the economic and religious characteristics of the Indus Valley Civilization?

Answer - 

Economic features of the Indus Valley Civilization -

• Harappans practiced agriculture

• The Harappans were engaged in trade 

• The Harappans were engaged in craftsmanship

• Harappans practiced animal husbandry

Religious features of the Indus Valley Civilization -

• Ritual scenes have been found on seals

• The Harappans worshipped nature

• The beast (horned animal) was worshipped 

• Primordial Shiva was worshipped 

• The Harappans worshiped the Mother Goddess

• The people of Harappa worshiped Pashupatinath

Question -  Who was General Cunningham? How did he fail to understand the importance of Harappa?

Answer - 

• Cunningham was the first General of the Archaeological Survey of India

• Cunningham believed that Indian civilization began with urbanization in the Ganges valley 

• That is why Cunningham failed to understand the importance of Harappa 

Question:  Write a short note on the drainage system of Harappan civilisation  ?

Answer -

• Harappa had a rich drainage system 

• The drains were made of clay mortar and gypsum 

• They were covered with large stones 

• The small drains of the house used to join the drains outside 

• Drains and roads were constructed first 

• After that houses were built side by side

Question -  Why is the Harappa script called a mysterious script?  Mention its characteristics?

Answer -

• It is called a mysterious script because  it has not been read till date.

• It is not an alphabetic script but a pictorial script

• It has between 375 and 400 signals

• This script is written from right to left.

Question –  Describe the trade relations of Harappa with Western Asia?

Answer - 

• Harappa had good trade relations with Western Asia

• Harappans used to trade with Oman, Iran, Iraq 

• Copper came from Oman 

• Indian goods were exported to West Asia