History and Polity

2 INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION

Due to its development in an around the Indus  Evidences have been obtained regarding the
and its tributry rivers this civilization was known largest dockyard for ships at Lothal.
as 'Indus Valley Civilization'. ECONOMIC LIFE
 The Indus Valley Civilization is also known as  The Sindhu Valley people were connected to
the Harappan, the bronze age, the Indus agriculture profession the main crops which
Saraswati, Civilization or the Proto Historic Age were grown are : Wheat, Barley and Cotton.
civilization also. They also were engaged in animal husbandry
 By the latest age detection techniques like alongwith agriculture. The domestic animals
carbon dating the age of Harappan Civilization were Ox, Sheep, Goat and other animals.
has been determined in between 2500 B.C. to  For storing food grains large granaries were
1750 B.C. built.
 The first information regarding the Indus  The Harappan people started cultivation of
Civilization was given by Charles Mason in cotton for the first time. The Greeks called cotton
1826.
as Sindon.
 The first historical site of this civilization which
 The people of this civilization use copper and
was discovered by archeaological exeavations
bronze. Barter system was prevailent for the
was the Harappa which was excavated under
trading of goods.
the supervision of historian John Marshal and
Rai Bahadur Dayaram Sahani in 1921 AD. The  In India Silver have been discovered for the first
Second historical site of this civilization which time in the Indus Valley Civilization.
was discovered was Mohanjodaro which was
SOCIAL LIFE
excavated by Rakhal Das Banerji in 1922 AD.
Mohanjodero is the most extensively urbanised  Family was the basis of society which was
site of Indus Valley Civilization. basically matriarchal society.
 According to the famous scholar Stuart Piggot  Harappan people belong to the following four
Harappan and Mohanjodero where the twin important species :
capitals of the Indus Valley Civilization. (i) Mediterranean
 The most important archaeological sites (ii) Alpine
related to the Indus Valley Civilization in India (iii) Mongoloid
are : Lothal located near Ahmedabad (Gujarat), (iv) Proto- Australoids
Kalibanga (Rajasthan), Banawali, Hisar  The society was divided into four classes :
(Haryana) and Ropar near Chandigarh in Scholar, Warrior, Traders and Artisan.
(Punjab).  The people were both vegetarian and non-
vegetarian. Among the mode of entertainment
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 Indus Valley Civilization
gambling, hunting, dance, music were the  Kalibanga was the only Harappan period site
important mediums. whose downtown urban township (for
 The Harappan people wore both woollen and normal people) was surrounded by forts.
cotton clothes.
RELIGIOUS SYSTEM
 The custom of burning of corpses as well as
 The Indus Valley Civilization people
cremation was popular.
worshipped mother goddess.
 The Harappan script was a picto graphic type
 Tree worshipping was also prevalent temple
scripts. This script was written from right to remains have not been recovered from the
left Sindhu Valley Historical sites nevertheless
 The Great Bath discovered in Mohanjodero are apart from the worshipping of the mother
important monuments. These community goddess Humpless bull and one horn unicorn
bathrooms were 11.88 mtr. long, 7.01 mtr. wide was highly sacred for the Sindhu Valley people.
and 2.43 mtr. deep. They were used to perform The snake was also worshipped.
ritualistic bath.  From Kalibanga evidence of fire pitts have been
obtained.
TOWN PLANNING  Dove was considered a sacred bird.
 The most distinguished feature of the HANDICRAFT AND INDUSTRIES
Harappan Civilization was its town planning.
 The main profession of people of Sindhu Valley
 The high land spots of the cities were known
was handicraft and industries.Clothe making
as 'Nagardurg' (Citadal) and the lower lands utensil manufacturing, toy making, currency
were known as 'Lower city'. making (by Terracota), ornament making
 Dhaulaveera (Gujarat) is the only Indus valley where the chief industries.
site which was divided into three parts : High
lands, Medium lands and Low lands.
MAJOR SITES OF THE INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION
Major Sites Excavators Year River Location Evidences Obtained
Harappa Dayaram Sahani 1921 Raavi Montogomeri (Pakistan) Images of one horn animals
on seals, horse cart made of
copper.
Mohanjodero Rakhaldas Banerji 1922 Sindhu Larkana (Pakistan) Three headed deity (Pashu-
patinath), the bronze image
of a dancing girl, vast
granaries and the Great
Bath.
Chanhudaro M. G. Majoomdar 1931 Sindhu Sindh (Pakistan) Beads manufacturing
factories and Vanity Boxes.

Kalibanga B.B. Lal and B.K. Thapar 1953 Ghaghar S r i g a n g a n a g a r Tilled lands, engraved
Kotdiji Fajal Ahmed 1953 Sindhu (Rajasthan) bricks
Stone made spears
Rangpur S.R. Rao 1 9 5 3 – Bhadar Khairpur (Pakistan)
Rice husk
1956 Kathiyawad (Gujarat)

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History and Polity
TRADE AND COMMERCE INDUS VALLEY PERIOD TRADE
SYSTEM
 In the context of trade Meluha, Dilmun and
Magan (Makkan) finds mention. Meluha is Sites Imported Goods
identified from Indus Valley. The Harappa and Afghanistan, Iran (Central Asia) Tin
Mohanjodero (Mound of Dead) were the famous Badbaksha (Afghanistan) Lapiz Lazuli
trading centres.
South India, Iran, Rajasthan
 From the cylindrical shaped seals it is
Afghanistan Lead
ascertained that there was strong trading
Sourashtra Gomed
relation between Mesopotamia and the Sindhu
Valley ports. From the Lothal two seals of Persia Khetri (Rajasthan), Baluchistan Copper
(Iran) and from Mohanjodero a dozen Afghanistan, Persia, Karnataka Gold
Mesopotamian seals have been recovered. Afghanistan, Persia (Iran) Silver

Major Sites Excavators Year River Location Evidences Obtained

Ropar Yagyadutt Sharma 1953-56 Sutlej Ropar (Punjab) Evidences of cremation of dogs
alongwith human beings.
Lothal S.R. Rao 1954 Bhogwa Ahmedabad Dockyards evidences of rice
(Gujarat) cultivation.
Banawali Ravindra Singh Bist 1974 Saraswati Hisar (Haryana) Clay toys, plough, Barley

Causes of Decline : The Indus Valley Civilization declined not just because of a single reason but due to a
number of cumulative reasons. There is a difference of opinion among the scholars regarding the decline of
the civilization. Opinion of some of the scholars in this respect are as follows :

REASON NAME OF SCHOLAR

Geological changes M.R. Sahani, George F. Deles, Rikes
Due to floods Marshal, Maikey, S.R. Rao
Climate Change Arel Stine, Amlanand Ghosh
Administrative passiveness Marshal
Stalemate in foreign trades W.F. Albright
Epidemic K.U.R. Kennedy
Invasion of Aryans Gordon child and Wheeler etc.

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 Indus Valley Civilization
PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. Mohanjodero was known by which of the 5. Most of the settlements belonging to the
Harappan Civilization were located on the banks
following other names?
of which river?
(a) Mound of Living (a) On the banks of Indus and Saraswati river
(b) Mound of Skeletons (b) On the banks of Ganga, Yamuna river
(c) Mound of Slaves (c) On the banks of Yamuna
(d) Mound of Dead (d) On the banks of Sutlej
6. Match List-I with List-II :
2. Who was responsible for the development of the
List-I List-II
Harappan civilization?
(Place) (River)
1. Proto-Australoids A. Harappa 1. Ravi
2. Mediterrean B. Mohanjodero 2. Sindhu
3. Mongoloid C. Lothal 3. Bhogwa
4. Alpine D. Kalibanga 4. Ghagghar
Code :
Which of the following is true?
A B C D A B C D
(a) 1, 2, 3 (b) 1, 2, 3, 4 (a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 2 1 4 3
(c) 2, 4 (d) 3, 4 (c) 4 3 2 1 (d) 1 2 4 3
3. Assertion (A) : The indus valley civilization is 7. Match List-I with List-II and choose the correct
known as Harrappan civili- answer using the codes given below :
zation technically and more List-I List-II
appropriately. (A) The Northern Border 1. Manda/Jammu
of the Indus & Kashmir
Reason (R) : Harrappa is symbolic site of this
Valley Civilization
civilization.
(B) The Southern Border 2. Daimabad /
Codes: of the Indus Valley Maharashtra
(a) (A) and (R) both are correct and (R) is a Civilization
correct explanation to (A). (C) The Eastern Border 3. Alamgirpur
(b) (A) and (R) both are correct but (R) is not a of the Indus Valley /Uttar Pradesh
correct explanation to (A). Civilization
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false. (D) The Western Border 4. Sutkangendor/
of the Indus Valley Baluchistan
(d) (A) is false but (R) is true.
Civilization
4. The historical sites of Indus Valley Civilization
Code :
of Afghanistan is ? A B C D A B C D
(a) Mundigak (b) Shortughai (a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 2 1 4 3
(c) Dehmorasighundai (d) All of these (c) 4 3 2 1 (d) 1 2 4 3

1. (d) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (d) 5. (a) 6. (a) 7. (a)

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Ancient History
8. In which of the following places well developed 15. Match List-I with List-II and choose the correct
remains of wells in the houses has been obtained answer using the codes given below :
from the Indus Valley Civilization?
List-I List-II
(a) Harappa (b) Kalibanga
(Ancient Sites) (Archaeological Remains)
(c) Lothal (d) Mohanjodero
9. From which of the following Harappan period A. Lothal 1. ploughed land
site "a dancing pose woman bronze statue" has B. Kalibangan 2. Dockyard
been obtained ? C. Dhaulavira 3. Prototype of a plough
(a) Mohanjodero (b) Kalibanga made up of baked soil
(c) Harappa (d) Banwali
D. Banwali 4. A rock edict containing
10. The ancient Pashupati alias Lord Shiva seals
10 symbols of large size
obtained from Mohanjodero contains which
animals picture in an engraved form? written in Harappan script
(a) Tiger and Elephant (b) Rhino and Buffalo Code :
(c) Deer (d) All of these A B C D A B C D
11. The discovery of scales proved that the people (a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 2 1 4 3
of the Indus Valley Civilization where familiar
with weight and measures. Where did this (c) 1 2 4 3 (d) 2 1 3 4
discovery took place? 16. The evidences of advanced water manage-
(a) Kalibangan (b) Harappa ment system in Harappa has been obtained
(c) Chanhudaro (d) Lothal from ?
12. From which of the following Harappan period (a) Dhaulavira (b) Lothal
sites evidence of pair corpse burial has been
(c) Kalibangan (d) Alamgirpur
obtained ?
17. The Harappan period people adopted which of
(a) Lothal (b) Dhaulabira
the following systems for configuring their
(c) Banwali (d) Harappa
homes in cities?
13. Which of the following is considered the biggest
monument of the Mohanjodero civilization? (a) Of a rectangular shape
(a) Large Bathing spots (b) In circular shape
(b) Large granaries/grain store house (c) In a grid like shape
(c) Assembly House (d) Both Triangular shape
(d) None of them 18. Which of the following statements regarding
14. The oldest evidence of the availability of silver Indus Valley Civilization is false?
in India is obtained from : (a) There was a well developed system of
(a) Harappan culture drainage in the cities.
(b) In the chalcolithic culture of Western India (b) Trade and commerce was in a very developed
(c) In the Vedic treatises (c) Mother goddess was worshipped
(d) In the 'Ahat coins' made up of silver (d) The peoples were familiar with iron

8. (d) 9. (a) 10. (d) 11. (d) 12. (a) 13. (b) 14. (a) 15. (b) 16. (a) 17. (c)
18. (d)

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 Indus Valley Civilization
19. The Harappan period society was divided into 24. Consider the following statements regarding
how many classes? Harappan religion :
(a) Hunter, Priest, Farmer and Kshatriya 1. In the Harappan society the worshipping of
(b) Scholar, Warrior, Trader and Labourer mother goddess was highly popular.
(c) Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra
2. There was no prevalent of the male god
(d) King, Purohit (Priest), Soldier and Shudra worship.
20. Which of the following statement regarding
3. In the society the worshipping of Linga and
Harappan Civilization is true?
Yoni was popular.
(a) They were aware of the Ashwamegh oblation
Which of the above statements is/are not true?
(b) Cow was sacred for them
(c) They started revering Pashupati god (a) 2 (b) 1, 2

(d) There culture was normally not stable (c) 1, 3 (d) 1, 2, 3

21. Which of the following is true regarding the 25. Which of the following cities were the port cities
Sindhu Valley Civilization ? of Sindhu Valley Civilization?
(a) They used to build idols but not temples (a) Lothal and Sutkagedor
(b) They used to construct both idols and
(b) Allahdinho and Balakot
temples
(c) They used to build only temples not idols (c) Kuntasi
(d) They built neither idols nor temples (d) All of these
22. What was the nature of the Indus Valley civili- 26. Which was the contemporary civilization of
zation society ? Harappan civilization?
1. Bronze era
1. Mesopotamian
2. Urban and Trade dominated
2. Sumerian
3. River based civilization
4. The violent civilization 3. Egyptian
Which of the above statements is/are true? 4. Chinese
(a) 1, 3, 4 (b) 1, 2, 3, 4 Which of the following is true?
(c) 1, 2, 3 (d) 4, 2 (a) 1, 2, 3 (b) 1, 2, 3, 4
23. In the Harappan civilization which type of
(c) 2, 4 (d) 1, 4
corpse cremation custom was popular?
1. Complete burial 2. Partial burial 27. The production of cotton started for the first
3. Cremation time in Sindhu Valley. It was called by by which
Which of the above statement is/are true? name by the Greek people?
(a) 1, 2, 3 (b) 1, 3 (a) Sindon (b) Cotton
(c) 1, 2 (d) 2, 3 (c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of these

19. (b) 20. (c) 21. (a) 22. (c) 23. (a) 24. (a) 25. (d) 26. (a) 27. (a)

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Ancient History

28. Assertion (A) : There were a deep trade 4. The urban character of this civilization
relations of Indus valley civili- destroyed with the decline of mesopotian
zation with other contemporary civilization.
civilizations. 5. The people outhere were aware about lost
Reason (R) : The chalcolithic age civiliza- wax method technique.
tions were cherished with Code :
barter system (a) 1, 2, 3, 4 (b) 1, 3, 4, 5
Codes: (c) 2, 3, 4, 5 (d) above all
(a) (A) and (R) both are correct and (R) is a
31. Which among the followings statement about
correct explanation to (A).
Harrappan civilization is not true?
(b) (A) and (R) both are correct but (R) is not a
(a) It witnessed the early urbanisition in the
correct explanation to (A).
sub continent.
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(b) There is the first instance of the script
(d) (A) is false but (R) is true. written from the right to left.
29. Match List-I and List-II and choose the correct (c) There is the early evidence about the use of
answer from the codes given below : iron as the mean of the sculpture art.
List-I List-II (d) The evidence about the use of stone is found
(A) Martier Wheeler 1. Flood there as the means of sculpture art.

(B) Aural Steine 2. Invasion of Aryans 32 Which of the followings statement is true about
Indus Valley Civilization?
(C) S.R. Rao 3. Administrative
(1) They were the peace-loving people.
passiveness
(2) It was much larger than other contempo-
(D) John Marshal 4. Climate Change
rary civilizations.
Code :
(3) The people out there believed in sun
A B C D A B C D worship and witch craft.
(a) 4 1 2 3 (b) 2 4 1 3 (4) The urban character of this civilization was
(c) 3 1 2 4 (d) 4 2 1 3 destroyed with the decline of mesopotacian
30. Which of the following statements about Indus civilization.
Valley civilization is/are true? (5) The cause behind the decline of
1. It was much larger than other contempo- Mohanjodaro was the Pandemic like 'Ma-
rary civilization. laria'.
2. The people outhere were peace loving. Code :
3. They belived in worship of Sun and magical art. (a) 1, 2, 3, 4 (b) 1, 3, 4, 5
(c) 2, 3, 4, 5 (d) above all

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28. (a) 29. (b) 30. (d) 31. (c) 32. (d)

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