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VI
Unit-4
History
THE RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATION - II
River Indus
STUDENTS' MANUAL
River Indus
STUDENTS' MANUAL
CLASS
VI
Unit-4
Vineet Joshi
Chairman , CBSE
Advisory Conceptual Framework
Shri Vineet Joshi, Chairman, CBSE Shri G. Balasubramanian, Former Director (Acad), CBSE
Dr. Sadhana Parashar, Director (Training), CBSE Ms. Abha Adams, Consultant, Step by Step, School, Noida
Dr. Sadhana Parashar, Director (Training), CBSE
Ideators VI-VIII
Ms. Aditi Mishra Ms. Preeti Hans Ms. Charu Maini Ms. Malini Sridhar
Ms. Guneet Ohri Ms. Neelima Sharma Dr. Usha Sharma Ms. Leela Raghavan
Ms. Sudha Ravi Ms. Gayatri Khanna Prof. Chand Kiran Saluja Dr. Rashmi Sethi
Ms. Himani Asija Ms. Urmila Guliani Dr. Meena Dhani Ms. Seema Rawat
Ms. Neerada Suresh Ms. Anuradha Joshi Ms. Vijay Laxmi Raman Ms. Suman Nath Bhalla
Dr. Rajesh Hassija Mrs. Sonali Sinha Mrs. Avanita Bir Prof. Om Vikas
Ms. Sugandh Sharma, EO Dr Rashmi Sethi, EO Ms. S. Radha Mahalakshmi, E O Ms. Madhuchhanda, RO (Inn)
Mr. Navin Maini, RO (Tech) Shri Al Hilal Ahmed, AEO Shri R. P. Singh, AEO Ms. Anjali Chhabra, AEO
Ms. Neelima Sharma, Sh. R. P. Sharma Ms. Reema Arora Mr. Sanjay Sachdeva, SO
Consultant (English) Consultant (Science) Consultant (Chemistry)
Contents
1. River valley civilization:
v
Origin
2. Urban Civilization:
v
Its unique urban features
3. Growth:
v
Development of society and the important occupations
4. Religious beliefs:
v
Nature worshippers
v
Study of seals, pottery and toys
6. The architecture:
v
Lay out of the towns, the Great Bath,
v
The Granary and the drainage system
v
The reasons behind the downfall of the River Valley Civilization.
UNIT-IV
THE RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATION II
RIVER INDUS
INTRODUCTION
Indus valley civilization developed along the river Indus 3000 years ago. This civilization is
considered as one of the first known urban civilization of the world. The archaeological
excavations have shown that the inhabitants were well versed with agricultural practices,
rearing of animals, art of making jewellery and artefacts and had good knowledge of
architecture. The economy was well developed and the civilization had good trade relations
with other countries. About 5000 year ago once man had learnt to grow his own food he was
no longer a nomad. He started to lead a settled life. This led to Agriculture. The most
important requirement for man to grow food was fertile soil, good climate and plenty of
water he naturally preferred to settle near river valleys.
The earliest River Valley Civilization to emerge was the Indus Valley Civilization
1
The Indus region was home to the largest of the four ancient urban civilizations- Egypt,
Mesopotamia, South Asia and China. It was not discovered until the 1920's. Most of its ruins,
even its major cities, remain to be excavated. Their script has not been deciphered.
Many questions about who created this highly complex culture remain unanswered, but other
aspects of their society can be answered through various types of archaeological studies.
Flood waters enriched the soil and made it fertile. It was much easier to cultivate the
fertile land and grow a variety of crops. It not only helped the Harappans to produce
enough food grains for themselves but also keep surplus. The main crops grown were
wheat, barley and peas and in some places rice was also grown.
Animals that came to the river beds to drink or bathe became a source of food.
Animals were domesticated for milk and meat. Some of them were also used for
carrying load.
Rivers were used for fishing and transportation of goods. This was the easiest and
cheapest form of transport which later helped in the development of trade. People
could go too far off places by using their crude boats.
Rivers also posed challenges. Farmers had to control floods and channelize water to
their crops. Dams, canals, dykes had to be built. Farmers worked together to build
dykes, dig canals, and carve out irrigation ditches. Such large scale projects required
leadership and an organized government.
The Harappan civilization grew and developed along the River Indus.
2
The three main phases of the Indus Valley Civilization are:
Early Harappan
Mature Harappan
Late Harappan
Agriculture
An enigmatic script
Specialized crafts
Planned cities
Science
The people of Indus Valley were the first to develop a system of uniform weights and
measures.
Arts
Various sculptures, seals, pottery, gold jewellery and figurines in terracotta, bronze and
steatite, etc, have been excavated from the sites of the Ancient Indus Valley Civilization.
Trade Transportation
Trade seems to be the major occupation of the people of the Harappan Civilization. The
main forms of transport included bullock carts and boats. Archaeologists have also
discovered an enormous, dredged canal and docking facility at the coastal city of Lothal.
Religion
The large number of figurines found in the Indus Valley Civilization suggests that the
Harappan people worshipped a Mother Goddess, who symbolized fertility. Some of the
3
seals of that time also have the swastikas engraved on them. Then, there are some others
in which a figure is seated in a yoga-like posture and is surrounded by animals. The figure
is quite similar to that of Lord Pashupati, the Lord of Creatures.
The first major excavations carried out from the year 1946 have shown Harappa to have a
large settlement supporting a population of 50,000 people.
Excavations also show that another large river the ancient Saraswati flowed parallel to the
west of river Indus.
Our only source for studying the Harappan civilization is Archaeology. And the most
distinctive artefact is the Seal. Much of what we know about the river valley
civilizations is based on artefacts dug out from under the ground.
Cheaper
DO YOU KNOW?
Ornaments reportedly belonging to the Harappan period (2600-1900 B.C.) was discovered
by the villagers of Mandi in the Muzaffarnagar District of Uttar Pradesh state, 93 miles east
of New Delhi, is challenging previous notions about the geographic reach of the Indus
Valley civilization.
Scholars from the ASI and state's Department of Archaeology immediately visited the site
and declared the jewellery to be Harappan. Gold and silver bangles, gold beads, and agate
and onyx beads all resemble jewellery found at Indus Valley sites such as Harappa and
Mohenjo-Daro in Pakistan and at Lothal, Rakhigarhi, and Dholavira in India.
4
Harappa and Mohenjodaro were the first two cities to be excavated and functioned as capitals
of this civilization. Later excavations reveal smaller cities such as Kot Diji in Sindh,
Kalibangan in Rajasthan, Ropar in Punjab and Lothal in Gujarat.
Harappa and Mohenjodaro show a surprising similarity despite being 350 miles apart
Both cities consist of an acropolis and a lower city, each fortified separately.
The acropolis contains large assembly halls, granaries and edifices for religious
purposes.
All the houses were connected directly to the well planned drainage system of covered
drains and soak pits.
Each house had a courtyard, private wells and bathrooms and was built with well
baked standardized bricks.
People of the Harappa Culture appear to have known the use of the potters wheel.
5
The majestic zebu bull is perhaps the most impressive motif found on the Indus seals.
Generally carved on large seals with relatively short inscriptions, the zebu motif is found
almost exclusively at the largest cities of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa.
The zebu bull may symbolize the leader of the herd, or it stands for a sacrificial animal.
When carved in stone, the zebu bull probably represents the most powerful clan or top
officials of Mohenjo-Daro.
Seals
The Harappan seal is the most distinctive artefact and provides archeological evidence of the
Harappan civilization.
Many seals have been discovered with motives of the humped bull, boat and
rhinoceros from Mohenjodaro.
Seals with pictographic script have been discovered at the Indus valley sites.
Seals have images of animals, people (perhaps gods), and other types of inscriptions.
Some of the seals were used to stamp clay on trade goods and most probably had
other uses as well.
PICTORIAL SEALS
6
A CASE STUDY
1. Nandani and Rohini went for a trip to explore the magnificent ruins of the ancient city
of Mohenjodaro. Mesmerized by what they saw they decided to write an article for their
school magazine.
The citadel was the center of religion and government for Mohenjo-Daros 35,000 people.
In the middle of the citadel was the Great Bath. It was a huge, deep bath with steps
leading into it. The people used it for religious purposes because they believed water to
be a great purifier.
The grain was stored in the great granary in Mohenjodaro. It was a huge building made of
thousands of fired bricks and could hold enough food to feed the entire city for a long
time.
Closing my eyes, I could see myself running through the wide main streets of Mohenjo-
Daro. The main streets ran from north to south. There were smaller streets that ran from
east to west and even narrower lanes that divided the houses.
I passed the many craft workshops not yet open for business and soon reached the
waterfront and saw beautiful pottery. Arranged on a colorful cotton cloth was kept the
A sophisticated and technologically advanced urban culture is evident in the Indus Valley
Civilization making them the first urban centers in the region. The quality of municipal town
planning suggests the knowledge of urban planning and efficient municipal governments which
placed a high priority on hygiene, or, alternately, accessibility to the means of religious
ritual.
7
The cities of the Indus Valley Civilization were well-organized and solidly built out of
brick and stone.
Their drainage systems, wells and water storage systems were the most sophisticated
in the ancient world.
The two were physically separated but both were walled cities.
Roads and streets were carefully laid out intersecting at right angles.
The massive walls of Indus cities most likely protected the Harappans from floods and
may have dissuaded military conflicts.
8
The Citadel: The Buildings were constructed on mud brick platforms and was
separated from the lower town. The Structures built were for Public use.
The Great Bath was a large rectangular tank in a courtyard surrounded by a corridor on all
four sides.
DO YOU KNOW?
Most scholars agree that this tank would have been used for special religious functions
where water was used to purify and renew the well-being of the bathers
There were two flights of steps on the North and South leading into the tank which was made
water tight by using mortar made of gypsum. There were rooms on three sides in one of which
was a large well. Water from the tank flowed in to a huge drain. There were bathrooms
connected to drains that ran along the corridor.
9
The Great Granary
The Granary a massive building with solid brick foundations with sockets for a wooden super
structure and doorways. It was probably used to store grain.
The lower town had residential buildings. Most houses were built with a courtyard in the
centre and rooms on all sides. These houses had no windows. Each house had a well.
We are not sure about the style of dress of the Harappan people, no fibre has survived and
our information is mainly based on two types of materials found there. Firstly, a large number
of spindles used to spin both cotton and woollen threads have been found. Secondly, the
dress seen on the seals found there indicates the same.
The people of the Indus Valley Civilization were peace loving and
indulged in a number of recreational activities.
10
A harp-like instrument depicted on an Indus seal indicates the use of stringed musical
instruments. People enjoyed singing.
The Harappans also made various toys using terracotta. They enjoyed playing Dice.
They were marvelous craftsmen, skilled in pottery weaving and metal work.
The Great Bath and smaller private pools showed that they enjoyed swimming.
Many clues tell us that the Indus Valley civilization had some relations with other
countries.
Seals which have been used for trade purposes have been found as far as
Mesopotamia.
Greek artistry could possibly have been copied by the sculptors of the Indus valley
civilizations.
Materials from distant regions were used in the cities for constructing beads, seals and
other artefacts.
The massive dockyards tell us that a flourishing trade relation existed between the
people of the Indus valley civilization and other countries like southern Turkmenistan
and northern Iran.
There was an extensive maritime trade network operating between the Harappan and
Mesopotamian civilizations.
Weights and measure and coins used by traders have been found in Egypt and
Mesopotamia,
Several explanations have been formulated like-- repeated flooding of towns located
on the river banks and due to ecological changes.
11
Some historians do not rule out invasions by barbarian tribes and massacre in the
northwest as the cause of the decline of the Harappan civilization.
When the initial migrations of the Aryan people into India began about 1500 BC, the
developed Harappan culture had already been practically wiped out.
Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa and their civilization vanished from history until rediscovered
in the 1920s.
The Harappan culture has given us its superior town planning, sanitary and drainage
arrangements, architecture and the development of arts and craft.
The use of baked bricks by the Harappan people is the greatest contribution to the world.
Modern Hinduism owes much to the religion of the Harappan people. Many forms of worship
among the Hindus such as tree worship, animal worship and idol worship existed during those
days.
Today The Indus Valley is a barren desert, broken only by the River Indus. A long
time ago, when the land was first settled, the Indus Valley was a lush and fertile
jungle. It was the home of all kind of wild beasts.
This story tells of that time, many years ago, when the Indus Valley was fertile and
prosperous.
Meeru had been born and raised in the town of Mohenjodaro. When she was 12 her
father, who was a trader, moved his family to the coastal city of Balakot.
Balakot was a port on the main trade route. Boats arrived there daily bringing
goods to the city from far off lands. Once unloaded the boats would be quickly
filled with cargo and ready to continue their journey.
12
13
GLOSSARY
Civilization: Advanced state of human society, in which a high level of culture, science,
industry, and government has been reached.
Faience: Glazed earthenware or pottery, especially a fine variety with highly coloured
designs.
Chronology: The science of arranging time in periods and ascertaining the dates and
historical order of past events.
Excavation: The scientific study of historic or prehistoric people and their cultures by
analysis of their artefacts, inscriptions, monuments and other such remains, especially
those that have been excavated.
Drainage: The system of drains and their operation, by which superfluous water is
removed.
Kiln: Furnace or oven for burning, baking, or drying something, especially one for
firing pottery, calcining limestone, or baking bricks.
14
WORKSHEET NO.1
1. Imagine that you have a time machine and travelled back to the time of the early
civilization
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Which were the first two sites to be discovered during the excavations of the Indus Valley
civilization?
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Which is the only source of studying the Harappan civilization? Why is this the only source?
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What were the uses of copper and bronze during the Indus Valley Civilization?
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WORK SHEET NO.2
Name any two important sources which help us to learn more about the Harappan
Civilization.
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17
There are two kinds of digs. What are they called?
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Name some of the artefacts that have been unearthed during the excavations.
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WORK SHEET NO.3
From the map given below name the other Harappan cities and try to indentify the
modern states they fall in.
b) Study the picture of the seals given below carefully and describe them in your own words.
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Seal A _________________________________________
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Seal B
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Seal C
c) The Seal was one of the most important artefacts do you agree with the statement?
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20
WORKSHEET NO.4
The cities of the Indus Valley Civilization were divided into two parts:
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b) _________________________________________________________________________
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Find out how the Lower City was planned with reference to:
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b) Houses____________________________________________________________________
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c) Drains_____________________________________________________________________
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21
Describe the striking features of the Great Bath in about six sentences.
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22
WORKSHEET NO.5
List any three explanations put forward for the decline of Indus valley civilization.
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WORKSHEET NO.6
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What is a Port?
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What were the boats filled with when they left Balakot?
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24
Name any other two occupations that you think the people of Balakot practiced.
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25
RESOURCES
http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/india/harappa.html
http://www.archaeologyonline.net/artefacts/harappa-mohenjodaro.html
www.harappa.com/har/har0.html
www.thenagain.info/webchron/india/harappa.html
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CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION
Shiksha Kendra, 2, Community Centre, Preet Vihar, Delhi-110 092 India