Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Past Chapter 3

Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 3

History helps students understand the people’s current social, political, religious, and economic realities. Without understanding history, we cannot understand the origins of our religion, customs, institutions, governance, and other things. Studying history helps students understand, analyse, and trace current developments. Class 6 Social Science Our Past’s third chapter is In The Earliest Cities. The Harappan and Mohenjo-Daro civilisations are discussed, along with their location and developments compared to other historic civilisations. The history of the Harappan and Mohenjo-Daro civilisations is outlined in this chapter. It explains the layout of Harappa’s homes, drains, and streets. It details the various foods, materials, and crafts the city’s residents use. This chapter also discusses the Harappans of Gujarat and the unexplained demise of their civilisation. Chapter 3 Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Important Questions will help you understand more about the chapter In The Earliest Cities.

Social Science Our Pasts Class 6 Chapter 3 Important Questions are put together by Extramarks specialists using the NCERT Textbook, other reference books, past exam questions, and other sources. The history experts at Extramarks have developed a list of step-by-step answers to help students comprehend each chapter. The Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 3 Important Questions are available to students who register with Extramarks.

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Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 3- with Solutions

The history academicians of Extramarks have designed an entire list of Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 3 with the help of various sources. The location and advancements of the Harappan and Mohenjo-Daro civilisations and how they compare to other ancient civilisations are addressed. This chapter outlines the histories of the Harappan and Mohenjo-Daro civilisations. It explains how Harappa’s houses, sewers, and streets were organised. The chapter describes the city’s people’s numerous meals, supplies, and crafts. This chapter also covers the Gujarati Harappans and the mysterious end of their civilisation.

Mentioned below are a few Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 3 and their solutions:

Question 1. Do you think that the lives of farmers and herders who supplied food to the Harappan cities were different from those of the farmers and herders you read about in chapter 2? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer 1. Yes, the farmers’ and herders’ lives in the Harappan towns differed from those described in chapter 2 because:

• We may infer from plant and animal bones that the Harappans’ modern farmers and herders farmed more cereal crops and amassed a wide variety of fruits and other goods. Wheat, barley, pulses, peas, rice, sesame, linseed, and mustard were all grown there.
• Farmers in the Harappan era utilised a new tool, the plough, to excavate the ground for turning the soil and planting seeds. While actual ploughs, likely constructed of wood, have not survived, toy replicas have been discovered.
• Since there wasn’t much rain in the area where the Harappans lived, irrigation could have been used. This indicates that water was stored and given to the fields when the plants were growing.
• Sheep, goats, and buffalo were raised as cattle by the Harappans. Around villages, there were grasslands and water. However, the farmers and herders indicated in the last lesson may have transported big herds of animals farther in search of water and grass during the dry summer months. However, humans in the Harappan era also fished, caught fish, and hunted wild animals like antelope.
• The Indus Valley’s farmers and herders interacted with better or more civilised people with more excellent homes, roads, drainage systems, writing skills, and cities. In the previous chapter (or stone age), farmers and herders were not familiar with the use of metals.

Question 2. Write a short note on the mysterious end of the Harappan Civilisation.

Answer 2. The mysteries surrounding the decline of the Harappans or the likely causes of the Harappan Civilisation. We discover the start of a significant change in Harappan towns or sites around 3900 years ago:

• Several of the cities saw a population decline.
• Writing, seals, and weights had all been abandoned.
• Raw materials were being bought from long distances.
• In Mohenjo Daro, the streets were littered with trash, the drainage system had collapsed, and newly constructed, less beautiful homes had encroached on the roads.

The decline of the Harappan civilisation may result from the following factors:

• According to some scholars, the rivers dried up.
• Some people claim there was deforestation. Fuel was necessary to melt copper ores and make bricks; this might have happened. Additionally, it’s possible that extensive herds of cattle, sheep, and goats damaged the vegetation while grazing.
• There were floods in a few places.
• None of these explanations can make up for the destruction of all the cities, though perhaps the rulers lost control.
• We may sum up by saying that our opinions on the demise of the Harappan civilisation differ. However, only a few localities would have been affected by flooding or a river drying up.

Question 3. How do archaeologists know that cloth was used in the Harappan civilisation?

Answer 3. At Mohenjo Daro, actual pieces of fabric were discovered adhering to the lids of some copper and silver artefacts. Additionally, terracotta and faience spindle whorls have been discovered by archaeologists. They were used to spin the threads.

Question 4. How were the people of the Harappan cities provided with food?

Answer 4. The following tells us how the people of Harappan cities were provided with food:

• While many people reside in cities, others farmed the land and reared animals.
• The Harappans cultivated wheat, barley, pulses, peas, rice, sesame, linseed, and mustard, as per the plant remains.
• The dirt was dug up using a brand-new tool called a plough to prepare the soil and plant seeds. Toy replicas of actual ploughs, most likely made of wood, have been discovered.
• Some type of irrigation might have been employed because this area did not get a lot of rain. This indicates that water was stored and given to the fields when the plants were growing.

Question 5. Why were metals, writing, the wheel, and the plough necessary for the Harappans?

Answer 5. The following were important:

• Writing: Because enormous letters were discovered carved in white stone and wood, it was essential to communicate the laws and regulations to everyone.
• Plough: The plough was used to prepare the ground for growing crops.
• The wheel: The wheel was essential for making pottery and was also used by carts, which were then used to transport products from one location to another.
• Metals: These were used to make decorations, tools, and containers.

Question 6. What do you mean by raw materials? What was Harappan’s way of providing it?

Answer 6. Raw material means:

• Raw materials are things that farmers or herders create or that may be found naturally, such as wood or metal ores.
• Typically, they are processed to make finished items.
• For instance, farmers’ cotton is a raw resource that gets transformed into fabric.

Provision of raw materials:

• While some of the raw materials used by the Harappans could be found nearby, many things like copper, tin, gold, silver, and valuable stones needed to be transported from a great distance.
• The Rajasthan region and maybe even Oman supplied the Harappans with copper.
• Tin may have been imported from Afghanistan and Iran and combined with copper to create bronze.
• Gold might have arrived from as far away as Karnataka and
• Precious stones from Afghanistan, Iran, and Gujarat.

Question 7. Make a list of terracotta toys shown in the lesson. Which do you think children would have enjoyed playing the most?

Answer 7. Toy animals, a toy plough, and a toy cart are displayed among the terracotta toys.

 Toy animals would have been the most popular among the kids to play with since they come in various shapes and are available in large numbers, which may captivate the kids.

Question 8. Describe the roles played by specialists in the Harappan civilisation.

Answer 8. Meaning:

• A specialist has received special training to perform just one task, such as carving chairs, polishing pearls, or cutting stones.

Producers who are specialists:

• Various items were developed; they were probably the work of the specialists.
• We can tell from the statue or figure how well the face has been sculpted and how meticulously the beard has been shown.
• Scholars believe that this was the product of a skilled craftsperson.

Question 9. Make a list of what the Harappans ate, and put a tick mark against the things you eat today.

Answer 9. A list of nine different items is available:

• Barley
• Rice
• Wheat
• Fruits
• Mustard
• Linseed
• Peas
• Sesame
• Pulses

Question 10. Explain “There is evidence that cloth was worn by the Harappans” in brief.

Answer 10. The above statement is explained below:

• The cloth was made and used by the Harappans. At Mehrgarh, cotton was probably first farmed some 7,000 years ago.
• At Mohenjodaro, actual bits of fabric was discovered attached to the lids of some copper and silver artefacts.
• Additionally, terracotta and faience spindle whorls have been discovered by archaeologists. To spin thread, they were employed.
• To demonstrate how the fabric was adorned, we also have circumstantial evidence. For instance, a figure of a significant individual discovered in stone at Mohenjodaro depicts him with an embroidered robe.

Question 11. Briefly describe the objects produced and discovered in various Harappan towns or sites.

Answer 11. The following are the objects found in the Harappan towns and sites:

• Ornaments and Vessels: Bronze and copper were used to create ornaments and vessels.
• Metals: The people of Harappan towns used metals consisting of shell, stone, copper, tin, bronze, gold, and silver.
• Beads: The finding of beads is arguably the most remarkable. Many of them were constructed from the stunning red stone called carnelian. A hole was eventually drilled in the centre of the stone so that a string could be threaded through it once it had been cut, sculpted, and polished.
• Seals: Stone seals were also carved by the Harappans. Typically rectangular, they feature an animal (such as a bull or a rhinoceros) carved into them.
• Faience: Faience is made artificially instead of naturally occurring materials like stone or shell. Sand or powdered quartz was moulded into an item using gum. The piece was then given a glossy, glassy finishThe glaze was often marine green or blue. Beads, bangles, earrings, and small dishes were all made of faience.
• Weights: Weights were made from stones. The people of the Harappan civilisation fashioned some chart weights quite accurately and painstakingly. These were possibly employed to measure priceless metals or stones. Additionally, long, unique blades were made using charts.

Question 12. Provide a little brief on the script of the people of Harappa.

Answer 12. The following is a brief on the script of the Harappan people:

• The Indus-Valley civilisation’s people, according to historians, were literate. There have been several seals found. On the top of several Harappan seals, we may see lines (or symbols) of signs. These comprise what historians refer to as a script. This represents the subcontinent’s earliest known writing system.
• Although many attempts have been made to read these signs and understand the Harappan alphabet, their actual meaning is still unknown.

Question 13. Briefly describe daily life in Harappa City.

Answer 13. The daily life of the Harappan city:

• Harappa was likely a bustling city. Planning for the construction of unique structures in the town was done by specific individuals. These were likely the ruling class.
• Most likely, the Harappan city’s rulers despatched agents to neighbouring countries to procure the metal, precious stones, and other items they coveted or needed.
• The most priceless items, including ornaments made of gold and silver or exquisite pearls, may have been preserved by the rulers for personal use.
• Additionally, there were scribes—people with writing skills—who assisted in creating the seals and may have also written (or etched) on other objects.

Question 14. Briefly describe the discovery of Harappa.

Answer 14. The discovery of Harappa:

• Around 152 years ago, railroad lines were first constructed in west Punjab; in 1855 A.D., engineers discovered the location of Harappa in modern-day Pakistan. They saw it as a mountain that contained a plentiful supply of high-quality, ready-made bricks.
• Labourers erecting railway lines removed thousands of bricks from the walls of the old buildings in the city (after known as Harappa). Many structures were totally demolished.
• The site was then discovered by archaeologists about 85 years ago (1920 A.D.), who found that it was one of the ancient towns on the subcontinent. It was recorded as being the first city to be found.

Question 15. What are the primary characteristics of Mohenjo-Daro’s Great Bath?

Answer 15. The Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro:

• In the Citadel Area of Mohenjo-Daro, a unique tank known as the Great Bath was constructed.
• This remarkable tank was constructed from bricks, covered with plaster, and sealed with a coating of natural tar.
• There were rooms on all sides, and steps on two sides led down to it.
• Most likely, water was carried in from a well and dumped after usage.
• On certain occasions, perhaps important individuals took a dip in this tank.

Question 16. What sets apart the cities of the Harappan Civilisation?

Answer 16. Following are some facts that set aside the famous ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro:

• The Harappan towns were often divided into two or more sections.
• The region to the west was often taller and smaller. Archaeologists refer to this as the citadel.
• Additionally, the area to the east was lower and bigger. The lower town is the name given to it.
• Each component was frequently surrounded by walls made of baked brick.  The bricks were manufactured so correctly that they lasted a very long time.The walls were rendered sturdy by the way the bricks interlocked.
• Special structures were built atop the citadels in certain of this civilisation cities. For instance, Mohenjodaro has a unique tank that may be seen. It is frequently referred to as the Great Bath.
• There were fire altars in other places, such as Kalibangan and Lothal, where sacrifices may have been made. Several cities, such as Lothal, Mohenjodaro, and Harappa, featured complex storehouses (or Granaries).

Question 17. Describe the Harappan drainage system.

Answer 17. The drainage system of the Harappan civilisation:

• Each drain in towns associated with the Harappan culture has a little slope to allow water to flow through it.
• Household drains were frequently linked to street sewers, and smaller drains led to larger ones.
• Inspection holes were constructed at regular intervals to clear the drains while they were covered. Drains, homes, and roadways were likely all designed and built in the same period.

Question 18. Do you live in an area with covered drains? What benefits do covered drains provide?

Answer 18. Yes, the drains in our area are covered. The benefits of having covered drains are as follows:

• Each drain in this system often had a mild slope so water could pass through it.
• Drains in homes are frequently linked to those in the streets, with smaller drains leading into larger ones. It aids individuals in maintaining their homes and structures in a contemporary, organised manner.
• Inspection holes are placed at regular intervals to clean the roadways and lanes when they are covered after being drained. People are kept healthy and protected from unpleasant odours by covered drains.
• Covered drains are evidence of a more civilised way of living.

Question 19. What distinguishes the Indus Valley Civilisation?

Answer 19. The Indus Valley Civilisation built their structures using baked bricks. These buildings were well-constructed, and the bricks were coated with natural tar plaster to further their durability and security. The interlocking brick arrangement produced stronger walls.

Question 20. List the key highlights of the architecture of Dholavira.

Answer 20. The Rann of Kutch, now part of Gujarat, is where Dholavira was located. The country of Dholavira was exceptionally fertile. It was separated into three portions rather than two, which is different from many other ancient remains. Each segment had its entry gates and tall stone walls. There was a sizable open space where possible public ceremonies might be performed.

Question 21. Why was Lothal a significant Harappan civilisation site?

Answer 21. Consider the following elements to understand Lothal’s importance to Harappan culture:-

• Semi-precious stone raw materials were in plentiful supply in this area.
• Objects made of stone, metal, and shell were produced and exported.
• Some industries in this region produce tools and other goods.

Question 22. Talk about the condition of the roads in the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Answer 22. There were extensive roads throughout the Indus Valley civilisation. They used to cut each other in the corners at a straight angle. The people of the Indus Valley Civilisation could dispose of their waste in a drainage system that ran alongside the roads. The drainage system was properly concealed to avoid any mishaps.

Question 23. Describe the kind of bricks that were used in the making of the houses in the Harappan civilisation.

Answer 23. Bricks have been used for thousands of years because they were so skillfully made. They were arranged in an interlocking manner, which strengthened the walls. About 150 years ago, engineers removed a large number of these bricks.

Question 24. Write a short note on the people of the Harappan civilisation.

Answer 24. There were three occupations where people worked in the Harappan civilisation:

• They prepared plans for the development of unique structures throughout the city. Probably to obtain raw materials, they dispatched personnel to far-off places. They retained the most priceless items for themselves.
• Scribes: People who could write were known as scribes. The seals were made ready.
• Crafts-persons: Craftspeople were referred to as people who produced various goods.

In addition to these three groups, living farmers and herders supplied food for the population outside the city.

The above section of Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Our Pasts Chapter 3 covers all the chapter’s important concepts.

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