What type of writing system did the Harappan people use?

Harappan script (not yet fully deciphered)

What does the presence of uniform weights and measures across Harappan cities suggest?

There was a standardised system of trade and administration

Weights were decorative objects

What feature of Harappan cities showed advanced urban planning?

Well-laid grid streets and covered drainage systems

What is one characteristic that defines a 'civilisation' as described in the chapter?

A form of government, urbanism, trade, and writing

Why is the Harappan Civilisation considered 'remarkable'?

It had the largest army in the ancient world

It showed advanced town planning, sanitation, standardised weights, and a relatively equal society

It built the tallest monuments of the ancient world

What does the absence of grand palaces or war weapons in Harappan cities suggest?

Society may have been relatively peaceful and non-hierarchical, focused on trade and community

Why is the Harappan script's undeciphered status historically significant?

It proves Harappans could not write

Until the script is deciphered, much about Harappan society, beliefs, and history remains unknown

The script was recently decoded

It shows Harappans were illiterate

How does the existence of covered drains in Harappan cities reflect civic planning?

Drains were used only for rainwater

It shows that Harappans prioritised public health and sanitation as part of urban management

What evidence suggests long-distance trade in the Harappan Civilisation?

Discovery of Harappan artefacts in Mesopotamia and vice versa

What does the uniformity of brick sizes across Harappan sites suggest?

There may have been centralised planning or shared technical knowledge across Harappan settlements

Bricks were imported from one place

Harappans did not build with mud-brick

Why is the Harappan port city of Lothal historically important?

It provides evidence of maritime trade between Harappans and other ancient civilisations

It was only a farming settlement

How does the Harappan Civilisation compare to the Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilisations in terms of time?

It overlapped in time with Mesopotamia and Egypt, showing simultaneous rise of ancient civilisations

It began thousands of years before both

What can the presence of toys and figurines tell us about Harappan life?

Harappans had a rich cultural life including art, play, and possibly religious practices

Figurines were used only for trade

Why do scholars call the Harappan way of life 'accommodation rather than exploitation'?

Because Harappans had no government

Evidence suggests society was more cooperative than hierarchical, with less glaring inequality

Because Harappans exploited nature fully

How does the Harappan Civilisation challenge the idea that only river valley civilisations were 'advanced'?

Harappan cities were not on rivers

The Harappan Civilisation extended to coastal areas like Lothal, showing that advanced civilisation could develop in diverse geographical settings

The Harappan Civilisation was entirely inland

Analyse why the lack of decipherment of the Harappan script is a major obstacle in understanding the civilisation.

Scripts are not important in understanding civilisations

Without a deciphered script, we cannot access Harappan literature, records, religious texts, or laws, leaving a major gap in our understanding of their society and thought

The Harappan script has already been partially translated

Only material culture matters for civilisational study

What does the similarity between some Harappan symbols and later Indian cultural symbols suggest?

There may be a cultural continuity between Harappan civilisation and later Indian traditions, though this is still debated among scholars

All Harappan symbols are unique

Harappan symbols are only decorative

How does the Harappan civilisation demonstrate that 'civilisation' does not require military conquest?

Civilisations always require military power

The relatively peaceful nature of Harappan society and its focus on trade and urban order suggest civilisation can flourish through cooperation rather than conquest

Harappan armies were very powerful

Military conquest is not related to civilisation

Evaluate the significance of standardised weights and measures in the Harappan Civilisation.

Standardised weights and measures indicate an organised economy, regulated trade, and possibly a central authority—all hallmarks of a sophisticated civilisation

Only imported items were weighed

What does the widespread geographic distribution of Harappan settlements tell us about the civilisation?

Harappan people lived only in one city

The civilisation covered a vast area, suggesting political or cultural unity, shared knowledge, and well-established trade networks

Geography had no role in Harappan expansion

'The Harappan Civilisation shows that ancient India was ahead of its time in civic management.' Do you agree? Give reasons.

No, Harappan cities were primitive

Yes—advanced drainage, grid planning, standardised measures, and evidence of a relatively equal society show remarkable civic organisation that rivals or surpasses many contemporary civilisations

Only Mohenjo-daro had advanced features

Civic management began only with the Mauryas

Why is it significant that the Harappan Civilisation declined around 1500 BCE, and what might this suggest about civilisational resilience?

The decline of Harappa—possibly due to climate change, river drying, or other factors—reminds us that even advanced civilisations are vulnerable to environmental and social change, offering lessons for today

Harappa was destroyed only by invasions

Harappa did not decline; it just moved

How does the study of the Harappan Civilisation contribute to our understanding of India's deep historical roots?

It has no connection to modern India

It establishes that the Indian Subcontinent had an advanced, urban civilisation thousands of years ago, forming the bedrock of India's long civilisational heritage that predates many textbook narratives

Harappan civilisation is unrelated to later Indian culture

Only Vedic culture forms India's roots

NCERT Solutions Class 6 Social Science Chapter 6 – The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation

Name: The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation – Class 6 Social Science
Uploaded: 2026-07-23T08:34:12+00:00
Description: The Harappan or Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation was one of the world’s oldest, known for its planned cities, water systems, crafts, and trade. It declined around 1900 BCE, likely due to climate change and river drying, but its culture lived on.

Class 6 Social Science

Last Updated: 23 July 2026

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Chapter Introduction

The Harappan or Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation was one of the world’s oldest, known for its planned cities, water systems, crafts, and trade. It declined around 1900 BCE, likely due to climate change and river drying, but its culture lived on.

हिंदी में (Hindi)

हरप्पा या सिन्धु-सरस्वती सभ्यता विश्व की सबसे प्राचीन सभ्यताओं में से एक थी, जो अपनी योजनाबद्ध नगरों, जल व्यवस्थाओं, शिल्प कला और व्यापार के लिए प्रसिद्ध थी। यह लगभग 1900 ईसा पूर्व पतन हुई, संभवतः जलवायु परिवर्तन और नदियों के सूखने के कारण, लेकिन इसकी संस्कृति जीवित रही।

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Important Points

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Practice MCQ Questions (29 questions)

Q1. What is another name for the Harappan Civilisation?

Q2. Where did the Indus or Harappan Civilisation first emerge?

Q3. What does the term 'urbanism' refer to?

Q4. Which civilisation emerged in Mesopotamia about 6,000 years ago?

Q5. What is the approximate period of the Harappan Civilisation?

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Tough Words (Glossary)

Civilisation

Meaning: An advanced stage of human society with culture, cities, and governance.

अर्थ: सभ्यता

"The Harappan civilisation is one of the oldest in the world."

Urbanism

Meaning: The way of life and characteristics of living in a city.

अर्थ: नगरवाद

"Urbanism developed strongly in Harappan cities."

Metallurgy

Meaning: The science of working with metals.

अर्थ: धातुकर्म

"Harappans had advanced metallurgy skills."

Ornaments

Meaning: Decorative items like jewelry.

अर्थ: आभूषण

"The Harappans made ornaments of beads and shells."

Tributary

Meaning: A river or stream that flows into a larger river.

अर्थ: सहायक नदी

"The Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganga."

Excavation

Meaning: The act of digging up and uncovering remains.

अर्थ: खुदाई

"Many Harappan sites were found during excavation."

Fortification

Meaning: A strong wall or structure built for defense.

अर्थ: किलेबंदी

"Harappan cities had fortification around them."

Great Bath

Meaning: A large public tank found in Mohenjo-daro.

अर्थ: महान स्नानागार

"The Great Bath is one of the most famous Harappan structures."

Reservoir

Meaning: A large natural or artificial lake for storing water.

अर्थ: जलाशय

"Dholavira had large stone reservoirs."

Drainage

Meaning: System for removing excess water or waste.

अर्थ: जल निकासी

"The Harappans built a proper drainage system."

Domesticated

Meaning: Tamed animals for human use.

अर्थ: पालतू बनाया हुआ

"The Harappans domesticated animals like cattle and goats."

Cotton

Meaning: A soft white fiber used to make cloth.

अर्थ: कपास

"The Harappans were the first to grow cotton in Eurasia."

Carnelian

Meaning: A reddish semi-precious stone used in ornaments.

अर्थ: कर्नेलियन (लाल पत्थर)

"Harappan beads were often made of carnelian."

Steatite

Meaning: A soft stone used to make seals.

अर्थ: सोपस्टोन / शिलाखंड

"Most Harappan seals were made of steatite."

Seal

Meaning: A small object with symbols used for identification.

अर्थ: मुहर

"The Harappans used seals for trade purposes."

Bronze

Meaning: A metal made by mixing copper and tin.

अर्थ: कांस्य

"Bronze tools were used by Harappans."

Bitumen

Meaning: A natural tar-like material used in construction.

अर्थ: डामर / बिटुमेन

"The Great Bath was waterproofed with bitumen."

Dockyard

Meaning: A place where ships are built or repaired.

अर्थ: जहाज़गाह

"Lothal had one of the world’s earliest dockyards."

Maritime

Meaning: Connected with the sea and shipping.

अर्थ: समुद्री

"The Harappans engaged in maritime trade."

Excavated

Meaning: Discovered by digging.

अर्थ: खुदाई से प्राप्त

"Many seals were excavated from Harappan sites."

Administration

Meaning: The process of managing or governing.

अर्थ: प्रशासन

"The Harappan civilisation had organised administration."

Agriculture

Meaning: The practice of growing crops and raising animals.

अर्थ: कृषि

"Agriculture was the main occupation of Harappans."

Plough

Meaning: A tool used to prepare land for farming.

अर्थ: हल

"The Harappans used ploughs for farming."

Subsistence

Meaning: The action of maintaining life or survival.

अर्थ: जीविका

"Harappans relied on agriculture for subsistence."

Archaeologist

Meaning: A person who studies ancient remains.

अर्थ: पुरातत्वविद्

"Archaeologists discovered Harappa in 1924."

Erosion

Meaning: The gradual destruction of land by wind, water, or ice.

अर्थ: कटाव

"Erosion shaped the Harappan landscape."

Floodplain

Meaning: Flat land near a river formed by floods.

अर्थ: बाढ़ का मैदान

"The Indus floodplains were very fertile."

Irrigation

Meaning: Supplying water to crops artificially.

अर्थ: सिंचाई

"Irrigation supported Harappan agriculture."

Cultural

Meaning: Relating to the ideas, customs, and art of a society.

अर्थ: सांस्कृतिक

"Harappan cultural practices influenced later India."

Artifacts

Meaning: Objects made by humans in the past.

अर्थ: पुरावशेष

"Excavated artifacts tell us about Harappan life."

Inscriptions

Meaning: Writings engraved on stone or metal.

अर्थ: शिलालेख

"Some Harappan inscriptions remain undeciphered."

Decline

Meaning: A gradual fall or loss of strength.

अर्थ: पतन

"The Harappan civilisation faced decline around 1900 BCE."

Climate

Meaning: The weather conditions of a region over time.

अर्थ: जलवायु

"Climate change affected Harappan agriculture."

Migration

Meaning: Movement of people from one place to another.

अर्थ: प्रवास

"Some Harappans migrated after the decline."

Terracotta

Meaning: Clay-based ceramic material.

अर्थ: मृदभांड / टेराकोटा

"Terracotta figurines were found in Harappa."

Subsidiary

Meaning: Supporting but less important.

अर्थ: सहायक

"Smaller Harappan towns were subsidiary to big cities."

Sanitation

Meaning: Keeping places clean to prevent disease.

अर्थ: स्वच्छता

"The Harappans gave importance to sanitation."

Harappan

Meaning: Relating to the ancient Indus Valley civilisation.

अर्थ: हड़प्पा संबंधी

"Harappan culture spread widely across the region."

Sarasvati

Meaning: An ancient river mentioned in Vedic texts.

अर्थ: सरस्वती

"The Sarasvati river dried up around 2000 BCE."

Ghaggar-Hakra

Meaning: Name of the dried-up river in India and Pakistan.

अर्थ: घग्गर-हकरा

"Many Harappan sites were found along the Ghaggar-Hakra."

Excavations

Meaning: The process of uncovering remains through digging.

अर्थ: खुदाई

"Excavations revealed the Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro."

Indus

Meaning: A major river in South Asia, central to Harappan life.

अर्थ: सिंधु

"The Indus River was central to Harappan civilisation."

Mohenjo-daro

Meaning: One of the main Harappan cities.

अर्थ: मोहनजोदड़ो

"Mohenjo-daro had advanced urban planning."

Harappa

Meaning: Another key city of the civilisation.

अर्थ: हड़प्पा

"The Harappa site was discovered in 1924."

Rakhigarhi

Meaning: A major Harappan site in Haryana, India.

अर्थ: राखीगढ़ी

"Rakhigarhi is the largest Harappan site in India."

Dholavira

Meaning: A Harappan city known for water management.

अर्थ: धोलावीरा

"Dholavira had massive water reservoirs."

Banawali

Meaning: A Harappan site in Haryana.

अर्थ: बनावली

"Banawali revealed signs of planned settlement."

Kalibangan

Meaning: A Harappan site in Rajasthan.

अर्थ: कालीबंगन

"Kalibangan showed evidence of ploughed fields."

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Ch 5: India That Is Bharat

Ch 7: India Cultural Roots