Q.1) Was India civilized before the advent of the Aryans?
State briefly the extent and
striking features of the earlier civilization, if any. [ 20 M,400 W]
Q.2) Analyze the elements of urban civilization in the Harappan Culture. What factors were
responsible for its decline? [20 M,400 W]
Q.3) “The continuity of the Indus Civilization into later ages was not confined to the religious
and spiritual fields alone.” Analyse the statement. [20 M,400 W]
Q.4) Discuss the water management and its conservation planning in the Harappan
(Indus-Saraswati) cities. [20 M,400 W]
Q.5) Do you think the Harappan civilization had a diversity of subsistence base? Explain [15
M,400 W]
Q.6) Discuss the distribution and significance of farming cultures outside the Indus system.
[20 M,400 W]
Q.7) Evaluate the significance of seals and sealings in the reconstruction of socio-
economic and religious life of the Harappan people. [20 M,400 W]
Q.8) Discuss the pattern of trade during the Indus Valley civilization. How far did it affect
the nature of contemporary settlements in the Indian sub-continent? [20 M,400 W ]
Q.9) The decline of Harappan civilization was caused by ecological degradation rather than
external invasion. Discuss. [15 M,300 W]
MAP WORK : MESOLITHIC SITES
1. Rajasthan
o Bagor on the river Kothari ( the largest Mesolithic site in India).
o Tilwara
2. Gujarat
o Langhnaj, Akhaj, Valasana, Hirpur(All are in Mehsana district) :- Langhnaj is
the most extensively studied site in the state.
o Loteshwar
o Ratanpura
3. Uttar Pradesh
o Sarai Nahar Rai in the Allahabad is the most extensively studied Mesolithic
site in the state.
o Morhana Pahar and Lekhahia are two other important Mesolithic sites (Both
are almost together)
o Chopani Mando (Important)
o Damdama
o Mahadaha
o Mahagara
4. Bihar
o Paisra (In Munger District)
o Madhya Pradesh
o Bhimbetka
o Adamgarh
o West Bengal
o Birbhanpur
5. Orissa
o Mayurbhanj
o Keonjhar
o Jharkhand
o Chhota Nagpur plateau
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2. Examine the advancements made in the fields of urban planning and
architecture during the Indus Valley Civilization. Where do we find the
marvelous examples of Indus Valley cities and architecture? (10 Marks)
3. Have you ever thought about the lifestyle of the people belonging to the
Harappa civilisation? If you were to describe their customs, values and daily
life, what would be the most important elements of your description?
Comment. (15 Marks)
क्या आपने कभी हड़प्पा सभ्यता के लोगों की जीवन शैली के बारे में सोचा है
? यदि आप उनके रीति–रिवाजों, मूल्यों और दैनिक जीवन का वर्णन करें, तो आप
के विवरण के सबसे महत्वपूर्ण तत्व क्या होंगे? टिप्पणी करें।
Approach:
Introduce the lifestyle of the people belonging to the Harappa civilisation
and then give your views on what should be the most important elements
when describing the customs, values and daily life of the Harappa
civilisation.
Introduction:
The Harappan Civilisation lifestyle was urban in nature with exceptional
skill in building and town-planning in their civic life. Major excavations
undertaken at the Indus sites have given us a fair idea about other
aspects of civilization including society, customs, values and daily life,
technology, economy, religion, etc.
Body:
Customs, Values and Daily Life of Harrappan Civilization: The
Most Important Elements
The social and economic life of the people of Harappan Civilization was
systematic and organized.
Customs
Their dress habits were simple. One statue shows the use of two
pieces of cloth—one for the upper portion and the other for the
lower portion of the body.
The upper garment was like a modern shawl that was drawn over
the left shoulder and under the right so as to leave the right arm
free and in the sitting posture it came down up to the feet. The
lower garment was like a modern dhoti.
There was very little difference in the garments worn by males and
females.
Both men and women of the Harappan society were fond of wearing
ornaments. There were some common ornaments that were used by
both. They included necklaces, fillets, armlets, rings and bangles.
Ladies used some specific ornaments like girdles, nose-studs, ear-
rings and anklets. There was a great variety in the shape and design
of these ornaments.
The wealthy people used ornaments made of gold, silver, ivory and
other semi-precious stones whereas ornaments of the poor were
made of copper, bronze, shell and terracotta.
Beads of various designs and metals were also used in large
numbers.
Values
The Harappan culture was a religious one. The people of Harappan
civilization worshipped many gods and goddesses.
Foremost among them was the Divine Mother whose clay, images
have been found at Mohenjo-Daro. There also the figure of a good
engraved on a seal has been found. It was a three- headed horned
deity seated cross legged. Around this figure are grouped various
animals.
Scholars have identified this as “Pashupati” Siva. Harappans were
frolic worshippers.
The last aspect of Harappan religion attached much importance to
the practice of Yoga. A large number of terracotta figurines show
individuals in various yogic postures or asanas.
Daily Life
The civilization itself was a glorious conglomeration of people of
various origins.
As the civilization centred around city culture the social life of the
people bore touches of an urban influence.
Their civic life was highly disciplined and quite scientific.
The inhabitants preferred to live in a proper hygienic atmosphere,
as is proved by their town-planning systems.
Since the people of Harappan culture were city-dwellers, they had
various pastimes for useful recreation of their leisure.
They entertained themselves by playing indoor games like dicing,
dancing and singing.
Further hunting, fishing, arranging animal and bird fights formed
other sources of amusement.
Conclusion:
To conclude with the words of Sir John Marshall, “The Indus Valley
Civilisation has been mainly an independent and indigenous growth, a
product of the Indian soil marked by certain specifically Indian features
not present in any other early civilization. Indeed, the Indus Valley
civilisation is no less individual and national than other great river valley
civilizations of antiquity.”
