The Harappan Civilisation — Question 3
Back to all questionsStudy the picture given on the right and answer the questions that follow:
(a) Identify the structure. List any two of its characteristic features.
(b) State the importance of this structure as a source of information about Harappan Civilisation.
(c) Name another architectural structure of this period. How does this structure show that Harappan Civilisation was highly developed?
(a) The given structure is the Great Bath. Its two characteristic features are:
- It has a large rectangular tank in a courtyard surrounded by a corridor on all four sides.
- There are two flights of steps one in the north and the other in the south leading into the tank.
(b) The Great Bath is an important source of information about the life of people and their culture. The design of the Great Bath reflects an efficient planning and drainage system. It also suggests that there was a ruling class which could mobilise labour, collect taxes and build such large public buildings.
(c) The Citadel was the other structure of this period. It was a raised area of the city on which the important buildings like the houses of ruling class, the granary, the Great Bath and the assembly hall were made. The Citadel shows that there was a classification or stratification in Harappan society. It also indicates that the Harappans were developed and their civilisation was an urban one.
Chapter Overview: The Harappan Civilisation
The Harappan (Indus Valley) Civilisation was one of the world’s earliest urban civilisations, flourishing from approximately 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE along the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra river systems. It covered parts of present-day India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, making it the largest of the ancient civilisations. Major sites include Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Lothal, Kalibangan, Dholavira, and Rakhigarhi.
The civilisation was remarkable for its advanced town planning with grid-pattern streets, sophisticated drainage systems, standardised baked bricks, granaries, and public baths (the Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro). The Harappans engaged in agriculture (wheat, barley, cotton), crafts (pottery, bead-making, metallurgy), and long-distance trade with Mesopotamia. The undeciphered Harappan script, absence of monumental temples, and evidence of a non-monarchical governance structure make it unique among ancient civilisations.
Board Exam Weightage: 5-6 marks | Difficulty: Moderate
Key Sites & Features
| Site | Notable Feature |
|---|---|
| Mohenjo-daro | Great Bath, granary, Dancing Girl bronze statue |
| Harappa | Granaries, workers’ quarters, cemetery (R-37) |
| Lothal (Gujarat) | Dockyard (earliest known), bead-making factory |
| Kalibangan (Rajasthan) | Ploughed field, fire altars |
| Dholavira (Gujarat) | Water reservoirs, stadium, signboard with Harappan script |
Must-Know Concepts
- Town Planning: Grid-pattern streets, citadel and lower town division, underground drainage, standardised bricks (4:2:1 ratio)
- Economy: Agriculture (wheat, barley, rice, cotton), trade with Mesopotamia, use of seals, standardised weights and measures
- Religion: Mother Goddess worship, Pashupati seal (proto-Shiva), sacred animals, tree worship, no temples found
- Script: Boustrophedon writing (right-to-left, then left-to-right); still undeciphered; found on seals
- Decline: Multiple theories — floods, drought, tectonic shifts, Aryan invasion (now debated), climate change, trade disruption
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing specific features with wrong sites (e.g., attributing the dockyard to Mohenjo-daro instead of Lothal)
- Writing that the Harappan script has been deciphered — it remains undeciphered
- Stating that iron was used — the Harappans used copper and bronze, not iron
- Claiming only one cause for decline — always present multiple theories
Scoring Tips
- Pair each site with its unique feature for identification questions
- For town planning answers, cover streets, drainage, bricks, citadel-lower town division systematically
- Mention trade with Mesopotamia and use of seals when discussing economy
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Harappan Civilisation called a Bronze Age civilisation?
The Harappans used copper and tin to make bronze tools and weapons. They did not know the use of iron. This places them in the Bronze Age (approximately 3300–1200 BCE).
What was the Great Bath used for?
The Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro was likely used for ritual bathing and purification ceremonies. It was made waterproof with bitumen and had steps leading down from both sides.
How do we know the Harappans traded with Mesopotamia?
Harappan seals have been found at Mesopotamian sites, and Mesopotamian texts mention trade with “Meluhha” (believed to be the Indus region). Lothal’s dockyard further confirms maritime trade.