NCERT Class 6 Social Science Chapter 6 Questions and Answers The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation

Chapter-wise Exploring Society India and Beyond Class 6 Solutions and Class 6 Social Science SST Chapter 6 The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation Question Answer NCERT Solutions are useful for focused study.

The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation NCERT Class 6th SST Chapter 6 Question Answer

The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation Class 6 Questions and Answers

The Big Questions (Page 85)

Question 1.
What is a civilisation?
Answer:
A Civilisation is a complex society with the following key features:

• Urbanisation: Cities as centers of population and activity.
• Social Hierarchy: Organised social structures with different roles and statuses.
• Advanced Technology: Tools and knowledge beyond basic survival needs.
• Writing Systems: Developed methods for recording information.
• Complex Economy: Systems for trade, production, and distribution of goods.
• Government and Laws: Organised systems for leadership and maintaining order.
• A Productive Agriculture: To feed people in the civilisation.

Question 2.
What was the earliest civilisation of the Indian Subcontinent?
Answer:
The earliest known Civilisation of the Indian subcontinent is the Indus Valley Civilisation, also known as the Harappan Civilisation.

Question 3.
What were its major achievements?
Answer:
The Harappan Civilisation achieved great things for its time, here are some of their major achievements:

• Urban Planning: Well-planned cities with grid layouts, drainage systems, and sanitation facilities.
• Advanced Architecture: Use of fired bricks, multi-storied buildings, and impressive granaries.
• Craft and Technology: Skilled in metalworking, pottery and seal carving. Developed a system of weights and measures.
• Trade: Extensive trade network with Mesopotamia and other regions. Evidence of trade goods like beads and tools.
• Writing System: Developed a writing system, though its full decipherment remains a work in progress.

Let’s Explore

Question 1.
For each characteristic in the list (on page 86), can you make a list of professions or occupations that might exist in such a society? (Page 87)
Answer:
A list of professions or occupations that might exist in a civilisation with each of the characteristics are as follows:
Government and Administration:
Rulers/Monarchs: Oversee the governance of the society.
Officials/Bureaucrats: Manage various administrative tasks and public services.
Judges: Resolve legal disputes and administer justice.
Tax Collectors: Gather revenue to fund the government and public projects.
City Managers: Coordinate and supervise the operations of urban areas.

Urbanism (Town Planning and City Management):

• Architects: Design buildings, public spaces, and infrastructure.
• Engineers: Develop and maintain construction projects and infrastructure.
• Surveyors: Measure land and create maps for urban planning.
• Plumbers/Sanitation Workers: Install and maintain water supply and drainage systems.
• Construction Workers: Build and repair urban structures and roads.

Crafts and Production:

• Blacksmiths: Forge tools, weapons, and other metal items.
• Potters: Create pottery for everyday use and decoration.
• Weavers: Produce textiles and clothing.
• Jewelers: Craft jewelry and ornamental items.
• Woodworkers/Carpenters: Build and repair wooden structures and furniture.

Trade (internal and external):

• Merchants: Buy and sell goods within and outside the city.
• Traders: Facilitate trade between regions or countries.
• Shipbuilders: Construct vessels for trade and transport.
• Market Vendors: Operate stalls or shops in marketplaces.
• Customs Officers: Inspect and regulate the flow of goods across borders.

Writing and Record-Keeping:

• Scribes: Document transactions, events, and information.
• Librarians: Manage and preserve written records and texts.
• Accountants: Maintain financial records and manage budgets.
• Historians: Study and write about historical events and cultural practices.
• Translators: Translate documents and communication between different languages.

Cultural Ideas (art, architecture, literature, etc.):

• Artists: Create visual art such as paintings and sculptures.
• Architects: Design culturally significant buildings and monuments.
• Writers/Poets: Produce literary works, poetry, and religious texts.
• Musicians: Compose and perform music.
• Performers: Engage in theater, dance, and other performange arts.

Productive ‘Agriculture:

• Farmers: Cultivate crops and manage farmland.
• Irrigation Engineers: Design and maintain irrigation systems to support agriculture.
• Animal Husbandry Specialists: Raise and manage livestock.
• Agricultural Labourers: Assist with planting, tending, and harvesting crops.

Question 2.
Some of the important cities of this civilisation are marked in the map (Fig. 6.3). As a class activity, can you try to match these cities with the modern states or regions in the table on the next page?

Harappan city	Modern state/region
Dholavira Harappa Kalibangan Mohenjo-daro Rakhigarhi	Punjab Gujarat Sindh Haryana Rajasthan

Answer:
The correct pairs are:
(i) Dholavira – Gujarat
(ii) Harappa – Punjab
(iii) Kalibangan – Rajasthan
(iv) Mohenjo-daro – Sindh
(v) Rakhigarhi – Haryana

Questions, Activities and Projects (Page 104)

Question 1.
Why does the civilisation studied in this chapter have several names? Discuss their significance.
Answer:
The Civilisation has several names such as Harappan, Indus, or Indus- Sarasvatl Civilisation. This is because it was discovered in the region along the Indus River and its tributaries, and the city of Harappa, so with these names, it connects to all these points.

Question 2.
Write a brief report (150 to 200 words) summing up some of the achievements of the Indus-Sarasvati civilisation.
Answer:
The Indus-Sarasvati Civilisation, one of the earliest known in the history of mankind, came up with some remarkable achievements such as-

• The Harappans established well-planned cities with advanced drainage systems, which clearly gives us a glimpse on their emphasis on sanitation and public health.
• The Harappans were very skilled in metallurgy, producing bronze tools and various ornaments.
• The Civilisation had a robust trade network extending to Mesopotamia, facilitated by their standardised weights and measures.
• Also, the Harappans excelled in bead-making and pottery, leaving behind intricate artifacts that highlight their artistic prowess.
• Their script, though deciphered, suggests a complex administrative system.

Question 3.
Imagine you have to travel from the city of Harappa to Kaliban- gan. What are your different options? Can you make a rough estimation of the amount of time each option might take?
Answer:
Traveling from Harappa to Kalibangan in ancient times would primarily involve land routes. Utilising the Indus River for the initial part of the journey would be the most efficient as this water route is not only convenient but also safe to start with. Further, followed by overland travel using horse, bullock carts or on foot. The total distance of approximately 200 kilometers and hence this might take few days, depending on the conditions and speed of travel.

Question 4.
Let us imagine a Harappan man or woman being transported to an average kitchen in today’s India. What are the four or five biggest surprises awaiting them?
Answer:
We can imagine how it can be a revelation for a Harappan man or women being transported to an average kitchen in today’s India. There will be many surprises for him such as

• A Harappan individual will be surprised by the presence of electrical appliances like refrigerators and microwaves.
• He/she will be amazed to see the variety* of processed and packaged milk and foods and the availability of running water through taps.
• He/She will be further astonished to witness the use of gas or electric stoves instead of traditional firewood.
• Also the presence of modern utensils and cookware made of stainless steel and non-stick materials will be another big surprise for him.

Question 5.
Looking at all the pictures in this chapter, make a list of the ornaments / gestures / objects that still feel familiar in our 21st century.
Answer:
The ornaments, gestures, and objects from the Harappan civilisation that still feel familiar in the 21st century are below listed:

• The practice of wearing bangles, as seen on the ‘Dancing Girl’ figurine, is still common in various parts of India, like Gujarat and Rajasthan.
• Other jewellery items, like necklaces, are also still worn by the people of 21 st century.
• A comb and a mirror have been found from Harappan sites, indicating that the Harappan people were into self-grooming practices. These things are used till date.
• The terracotta figurine seated in a ‘namaste’ posture is very similar to the traditional Indian greeting still widely used today.
• The cooking pots and storage jars from Harappan times are still relevant in contemporary kitchens.
• The findings of games board signify that the enjoyment of games and toys is a long-standing tradition. As many similar games and toys are still popular today.

Question 6.
What mindset does the system of reservoirs at Dholavira reflect?
Answer:
The system of reservoirs at Dholavira reflects the following mindset:

1. The reservoirs show careful planning to manage water resources in a dry region, indicating foresight and strategic thinking.
2. The complex water management system demonstrates an understanding of how to efficiently use and conserve water for agriculture and daily needs.
3. The large-scale infrastructure suggests a focus on the well-being of the entire community, ensuring that water was available to support both the city’s population and its agricultural activities.
4. The construction of such reservoirs reflects advanced engineering skills and knowledge of hydrology, highlighting the Civilisation’s technical capabilities.
5. The system indicates adaptability to the challenging environment, showing how the Harappans adjusted their technology and planning to suit the local conditions.

Question 7.
In Mohenjo-daro, about 700 wells built with bricks have been counted. They seem to have been regularly maintained and used for several centuries. Discuss the implications.
Answer:
The use of about 700 wells built with brick have several implications. Some of them are as follows

• The regular use of wells for several centuries will lead to decline in groundwater.
• It will reduce the water for irrigation.
• There may be wastage of water due to easy accessibility.

Question 8.
It is often said that the Harappans had a high civic sense. Discuss the significance of this statement. Do you agree with it? Compare with citizens in a large city of India today.
Answer:
The statement that the Harappans had a high civic sense is absolutely correct. The evidence from Harappan sites like Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, and Dholavira supports this statement. The excavations clearly suggest that the cities were well-planned, there were advanced drainage systems, all houses had private bathrooms and standardised construction techniques were put in place.

The Harappans demonstrated a strong commitment to cleanliness, hygiene, and public welfare, as seen in the uniformly laid out streets, public baths, and extensive water management systems like wells and reservoirs. These features highlight that the Harappans prioritsed public health and efficient urban living.

Class 6 Social Science Question Answer

• Chapter 1 Locating Places on the Earth
• Chapter 2 Oceans and Continents
• Chapter 3 Landforms and Life
• Chapter 4 Timeline and Sources of History
• Chapter 5 India, That is Bharat
• Chapter 6 The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation
• Chapter 7 India’s Cultural Roots
• Chapter 8 Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’
• Chapter 9 Family and Community
• Chapter 10 Grassroots Democracy Part 1 Governance
• Chapter 11 Grassroots Democracy Part 2 Local Government in Rural Areas
• Chapter 12 Grassroots Democracy Part 3 Local Government in Urban Areas
• Chapter 13 The Value of Work
• Chapter 14 Economic Activities Around Us