In the Earliest Cities
Overview
This chapter explores the remarkable Harappan Civilisation, one of the world's earliest urban cultures that flourished around 2500 BCE in the Indian subcontinent. Students learn how planned cities like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa were built, how people lived, what crafts they made, how trade worked, and why this great civilisation eventually declined. The chapter helps us understand life in ancient cities through archaeological evidence like seals, pottery, and buildings.
Typed Notes
Harappan Cities and Their Layout
The Harappan cities were among the world's first planned cities. They were built around 2500 BCE in the region now covering Pakistan and northwest India. Most cities had two main sections. The first was the Citadel, a raised area on the western side where important buildings stood. The second was the Lower Town where ordinary people lived. Streets were laid out in a grid pattern, crossing each other at right angles. Bricks were made in a standard ratio of 1:2:4, showing careful planning. Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Lothal, and Kalibangan are important Harappan sites.
Important Buildings and Drainage System
The Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro was a large rectangular tank made watertight using burnt bricks and plaster. It was probably used for ritual bathing by important people. Warehouses were large buildings used to store grain and goods. Houses had private wells and bathrooms, and dirty water flowed through covered drains into bigger street drains. This drainage system was one of the best in the ancient world. Archaeologists also found assembly halls and structures that may have been used by rulers or priests. The careful planning shows that a strong government existed.
Crafts, Trade, and Raw Materials
Harappan people were skilled craftspeople. They made pottery, jewellery, cotton cloth, and bronze tools. Tiny beads of carnelian, a red stone, were made at Chanhudaro and Lothal. Copper and tin were mixed to make bronze. Seals made of steatite (a soft stone) were used by traders and have pictures of animals and an undeciphered script. Raw materials like copper came from Rajasthan, gold from Karnataka, and timber from forests. Harappans traded with Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq). Goods were transported by bullock carts and boats along rivers and the sea.
Decline of the Harappan Civilisation
Around 1900 BCE, the Harappan cities began to decline. Scholars suggest several reasons. Rivers may have dried up or changed course, making farming difficult. Deforestation for fuel to bake bricks may have damaged the environment. Floods could have destroyed cities. Trade with Mesopotamia also stopped around this time. People slowly moved away from the large cities toward smaller villages in the east and south. Writing, the use of seals, and long-distance trade all disappeared. By about 1700 BCE, most of the great Harappan cities were abandoned, ending this remarkable urban civilisation.
Key Concepts
Revision ke liye ek nazar — exam se pehle yahi padhna hai.
- 01The Harappan Civilisation began around 2500 BCE and is also called the Indus Valley Civilisation.
- 02Cities like Mohenjo-daro had two parts: a raised Citadel and a lower town, both with carefully planned streets.
- 03The Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro was a large watertight tank, possibly used for special bathing rituals.
- 04Harappans used a standard system of weights and measures and had their own undeciphered script.
- 05Raw materials like copper, tin, gold, and precious stones were brought from distant places through trade.
Questions & Solutions
Pehle khud try karo — phir solution kholo. Yahi tariqa topper banata hai.
What were the two main parts of a Harappan city and what was found in each part?
Why is the Great Bath considered an important structure?
How did Harappan craftspeople make beads, and why were they important?
What raw materials did the Harappans need and from where did they get them?
What are the possible reasons for the decline of the Harappan Civilisation?
The Harappan Civilisation, flourishing around 2500 BCE, built well-planned cities with grid streets, covered drains, and two-part layouts. Important sites include Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Lothal, and Kalibangan. People were skilled in crafts, used standard weights, and traded with distant lands. Around 1900 BCE the civilisation declined, possibly due to environmental changes, and by 1700 BCE the great cities were abandoned.
Chapter-end quiz
4 MCQsOption tap karo — turant pata chalega sahi ya galat, explanation ke saath.
Q1.Which of the following was found at Mohenjo-daro and was possibly used for ritual bathing?
Q2.What ratio were Harappan bricks made in?
Q3.From which region did the Harappans get copper for making tools and weapons?
Q4.Around which year did the Harappan Civilisation begin to decline?
Mark karo — dashboard par progress dikhega.