Complete Summary and Solutions for Bricks, Beads and Bones: The Harappan Civilisation – NCERT Class XII History, Chapter 1 – Urban Planning, Artefacts, Society, Decline, Questions

Comprehensive summary and explanation of Chapter 1 'Bricks, Beads and Bones: The Harappan Civilisation' from the NCERT Class XII History textbook, including details on archaeological evidence, urban settlement patterns, craft production, social structure, trade links, artefacts like seals and beads, burial practices, and the decline of the civilisation, with all textbook questions and answers.

Updated: 1 week ago

Categories: NCERT, Class XII, History, Chapter 1, Harappan Civilisation, Archaeology, Urbanisation, Ancient India, Society, Trade, Decline, Summary, Questions, Answers

Tags: Harappan Civilisation, Indus Valley, Archaeology, Urban Planning, Artefacts, Seals, Beads, Bricks, Burial Customs, Craft Production, Trade, Ancient India, NCERT, Class 12, History, Chapter 1, Summary, Questions, Answers

Bricks, Beads and Bones: The Harappan Civilisation - Class 12 NCERT Chapter 1 Ultimate Study Guide 2025

Full Chapter Summary & Detailed Notes - Bricks, Beads and Bones: The Harappan Civilisation Class 12 NCERT

Overview & Key Concepts

Chapter Goal: Explore the Harappan (Indus Valley) Civilisation through archaeological evidence; understand urban planning, subsistence, social structure, and decline. Exam Focus: Sites (Harappa, Mohenjo-daro), artefacts (seals, beads), interpretations (diet, burials); diagrams (drains, Great Bath). 2025 Updates: Emphasis on Saraswati basin role, gender in burials, modern debates on decline (climate vs. invasion). Fun Fact: Undeciphered script holds clues to 5000-year-old mystery. Core Idea: Harappan was a Bronze Age urban society (2600-1900 BCE) with standardised planning; evidence from 2000+ sites reveals egalitarian traits. Real-World: Influences modern urban drainage; ties to Rigveda debates. Expanded: All subtopics (1.1-1.4) point-wise with evidence, interpretations, changes over time for conceptual depth.
Wider Scope: From Early (pre-2600 BCE) to Mature/Late phases; regional variations; how archaeology reconstructs past without texts.
Expanded Content: Include maps/sites, artefact analysis, debates (e.g., ritual use of Great Bath); principles of interpretation, multi-disciplinary approaches (botany, zoology).

Fig. 1.1: A Harappan Seal (Description)

Steatite seal (2x2 cm) with unicorn motif, undeciphered script (7 signs), boss for string; symbol of trade/admin; found at Mohenjo-daro.

1. Terminologies, Places and Time

Harappan/Indus Valley Civilisation: Named after Harappa (Punjab, 1921 discovery); spans NW India/Pakistan; 6000-1300 BCE.
Phases: Early Harappan (6000-2600 BCE: formative, farming villages); Mature (2600-1900 BCE: urban peak, cities like Mohenjo-daro); Late (1900-1300 BCE: decline, de-urbanisation).
Geographical Spread: Afghanistan to Maharashtra; core in Indus-Saraswati basins; artefacts (pottery, seals, weights) found in Gujarat, Rajasthan, UP.
Sites: Major: Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Dholavira, Ganweriwala, Rakhigarhi; over 2000 sites, 2/3 in Saraswati basin (immense importance for water/agriculture).
Dating Terms: BP (Before Present), BCE (Before Common Era), CE (Common Era), c. (circa: approximate).

Map 1: Some Important Mature Harappan Sites (Description)

Sketch map: Sites like Harappa (Ravi), Mohenjo-daro (Indus), Dholavira (Gujarat), Kalibangan (Saraswati); rivers (Indus, Ravi, Sutlej); Arabian Sea coast.

2. Harappan Settlements

Distribution: 2000+ sites; most between Indus-Saraswati; categories: cities (5 major), regional centres, villages, ports (Lothal), manufacturing (Chanhudaro).
Urban Features: Baked bricks, drains, citadels; standardised (e.g., Citadel high west, Lower Town east).
Variations: Fortified (Dholavira entire), unfortified Citadel (Lothal); reservoirs (Dholavira).

Map 2: Areas of Early Harappan Occupation (Description)

Sketch map: Sites like Kot Diji, Amri-Nal, Siswal; early cultures pre-Mature; Indus region.

3. Beginnings

Pre-Harappan Cultures: Small settlements with pottery, agriculture, pastoralism; no large buildings; e.g., Mehrgarh (7000 BCE farming).
Transition: Gradual from 7000 BCE villages to urban Mature phase; internal development, no sudden invasion.
Evidence: Shared pottery, subsistence; Mature in Early areas (e.g., Gujarat millets).

4. Subsistence Strategies

Diet Reconstruction: Charred grains/seeds (archaeo-botanists); wheat, barley, lentils, chickpeas, sesame; Gujarat millets; rare rice.
Animals: Bones (zoo-archaeologists): Domesticated cattle, sheep, goat, buffalo, pig; wild boar, deer, gharial (hunted?); fish/fowl.
Evidence: No direct proof of hunting, but wild bones suggest trade/use.

4.1 Agricultural Technologies

Practices: Plough evidence (terracotta models at Banawali, Kalibangan field furrows at right angles for mixed crops).
Tools: Oxen implied (bull seals); harvesting: stone blades/metal? (debate).
Irrigation: Semi-arid sites; canals (Shortughai, Afghanistan); wells/reservoirs (Dholavira); silted ancient canals likely.

Fig. 1.3: A Terracotta Bull (Description)

Small figurine (10 cm) of humped bull; symbol of strength/plough animal; from Gujarat.

Fig. 1.5: Reservoir at Dholavira (Description)

Masonry tank (80x50m) with steps; water storage; limestone/brick construction.

5. How Artefacts Are Identified

Food Processing: Stone/metal/terracotta querns, vessels; e.g., saddle querns for grains, "curry stones" for spices (Mackay 1937).
Archaeological Interpretation: Analogies with present (e.g., modern querns); multi-use artefacts complicate (e.g., faience pots luxurious?).

Fig. 1.6: Saddle Quern (Description)

Stone grinding tool (40x20cm) with convex base; worn surface; from Mohenjo-daro.

6. Mohenjo-daro: A Planned Urban Centre

Overview: Best-preserved site (Sindh); divided Citadel (high, walled) & Lower Town; platforms for flood protection; standardised bricks (4:2:1 ratio).
Planning Scale: Foundations: 4 million person-days labour; grid streets, drains first, then houses.

Fig. 1.7: Layout of Mohenjo-daro (Description)

Plan: Citadel (NW, 12 ha) with Great Bath; Lower Town (SE, 150 ha) streets 9-12m wide; drains along.

6.1 Laying Out Drains

System: Covered brick channels; sumps/cesspits for solids; cleaned via heaps of sand; most ancient complete system (Mackay 1948).
Features: Streets grid (right angles); houses with wall to street for wastewater; smaller settlements too (Lothal mud houses, burnt drains).

Fig. 1.8: A Drain in Mohenjo-daro (Description)

Brick-lined channel (1m wide) with large opening, cover slabs; from Lower Town.

6.2 Domestic Architecture

Houses: Courtyard-centred, rooms around; privacy (no ground windows, indirect entrance); bathrooms with drains, staircases, wells (700 total, shared?).
Activities: Cooking/weaving in courtyard; flat roofs.

Fig. 1.9: Isometric Drawing of a Large House (Description)

Multi-room house (20x15m): Courtyard central, well in room 6, staircases to roof, entrance alley.

6.3 The Citadel

Warehouse: Massive brick platform (decayed wood upper); storage?
Great Bath: 12x7x3m tank, watertight gypsum mortar; steps, changing rooms, drains; ritual bath? (unique context).
Other: Priests' quarters?; assembly halls.

Fig. 1.10: Plan of the Citadel (Description)

Layout: Great Bath central, warehouse east, wells, drains; 14x12m scale.

7. Tracking Social Differences

7.1 Burials

Practices: Pits, sometimes brick-lined; pottery/ornaments (afterlife belief?); jewellery for both genders (e.g., Harappa male skull beads).
Interpretation: No royal burials like Egypt; egalitarian? Variations subtle.

Fig. 1.11: A Copper Mirror (Description)

Round artefact (5cm) from burial; personal use; Harappa cemetery.

7.2 Looking for “Luxuries”

Classification: Utilitarian (daily, common: querns, pottery); Luxuries (rare, costly: faience pots, non-local materials, complex tech like beads).
Complications: Daily items rare = luxury? (e.g., carnelian beads from Gujarat, long-distance trade).

Fig. 1.12: A Faience Pot (Description)

Small blue-green vessel (10cm) with etched design; precious due to silica-faience process; Mohenjo-daro.

Summary

Harappan: Planned, standardised, egalitarian urban Bronze Age; evidence from artefacts/sites reveals subsistence, architecture; interpretations evolve (e.g., Saraswati role).
Interlinks: To Themes 2 (Mahajanapadas), archaeology methods.

Why This Guide Stands Out

Evidence-based: Point-wise with debates, maps; 2025 with Saraswati focus, gender analysis for holistic learning.

Key Themes & Tips

Aspects: Urban vs. rural, egalitarian debates, decline theories (climate, Aryan invasion vs. internal).
Tip: Memorise sites (HMDRG: Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Ganweriwala); draw drains/Bath.

Exam Case Studies

Mohenjo-daro planning in urbanisation; burials for social structure.

Project & Group Ideas

Map Harappan sites vs. modern cities.
Debate: Aryan invasion or climate decline?
Reconstruct diet from grains/bones.

Key Definitions & Terms - Complete Glossary

All terms from chapter; detailed with examples, relevance. Expanded: 40+ terms grouped by subtopic; added advanced like "steatite", "Saraswati basin" for depth/easy flashcards.

Harappan Civilisation

Bronze Age urban culture (2600-1900 BCE); named after Harappa site. Ex: Mohenjo-daro drains. Relevance: Planned cities without kings.

Mature Harappan

Urban phase (2600-1900 BCE); cities, standardisation. Ex: Grid streets. Relevance: Peak prosperity.

Early Harappan

Formative (6000-2600 BCE); villages, farming. Ex: Mehrgarh. Relevance: Transition to urban.

Late Harappan

Decline (1900-1300 BCE); de-urbanisation. Ex: Cemetery H. Relevance: Post-urban shifts.

Citadel

High western mound; public buildings. Ex: Mohenjo-daro Great Bath. Relevance: Administrative/ritual centre.

Lower Town

Larger eastern residential area; grid, drains. Ex: Houses with wells. Relevance: Domestic life.

Steatite Seal

Stone artefact with motifs/script. Ex: Unicorn. Relevance: Trade/admin symbol.

Saddle Quern

Grinding stone for grains/spices. Ex: Mohenjo-daro. Relevance: Food processing.

Great Bath

Ritual tank (12x7m); watertight. Ex: Mohenjo-daro. Relevance: Possible purification rite.

Faience

Silica-based glossy material; luxury. Ex: Pots/beads. Relevance: Craft tech.

Burial Practices

Pit graves with pots/ornaments. Ex: Harappa beads. Relevance: Afterlife belief, egalitarian.

Utilitarian Artefacts

Daily use (common materials). Ex: Pottery. Relevance: Widespread distribution.

Luxuries

Rare/costly/non-local. Ex: Carnelian beads. Relevance: Social status indicator.

Saraswati Basin

River region; 2/3 sites. Ex: Kalibangan. Relevance: Water source for settlements.

Archaeo-botanists

Study ancient plants. Ex: Charred grains. Relevance: Diet reconstruction.

Zoo-archaeologists

Study animal bones. Ex: Domesticated sheep. Relevance: Pastoralism evidence.

Baked Bricks

Standardised (4:2:1); durable. Ex: Drains. Relevance: Engineering feat.

Undeciphered Script

~400 signs on seals. Ex: Pictographic. Relevance: Unknown language/admin.

Decline Theories

Climate change, floods. Ex: Saraswati drying. Relevance: Internal factors.

Pottery

Wheel-made, red-black. Ex: Harappan ware. Relevance: Cultural marker.

Mehrgarh

Early site (7000 BCE). Ex: Farming evidence. Relevance: Pre-Harappan.

Kalibangan

Rajasthan; ploughed field. Ex: Furrows. Relevance: Agriculture proof.

Lothal

Gujarat port; dockyard. Ex: Trade. Relevance: Maritime economy.

Dholavira

Gujarat; reservoirs. Ex: Water management. Relevance: Arid adaptation.

Carnelian Beads

Semi-precious; etched. Ex: Gujarat craft. Relevance: Long-distance trade.

Banawali

Haryana; plough model. Ex: Terracotta. Relevance: Farming tools.

Shortughai

Afghanistan; canals. Ex: Irrigation. Relevance: Extent beyond Indus.

Cemetery H

Late Harappa burials. Ex: Pots. Relevance: Continuity.

Rigveda Link

Debate: Post-Harappan? Ex: Saraswati mention. Relevance: Cultural continuity.

Brick Ratio

4:2:1 length:breadth:height. Ex: Standardised. Relevance: Uniform planning.

Tip: Group by phase/sites; examples for recall. Depth: Debates (e.g., Citadel function). Errors: Confuse Early/Mature. Historical: Wheeler vs. modern egalitarian view. Interlinks: Archaeology in Theme 6. Advanced: Multi-cropping furrows. Real-Life: Mohenjo-daro UNESCO. Graphs: Site distribution. Coherent: Evidence → Interpretation. For easy learning: Flashcard per term with map/site.

60+ Questions & Answers - NCERT Based (Class 12) - From Exercises & Variations

Based on chapter + expansions. Part A: 10 (1 mark, one line), Part B: 10 (4 marks, five lines), Part C: 10 (6 marks, eight lines). Answers point-wise in black text.

Part A: 1 Mark Questions (10 Qs - Short)

1. What is the time span of the Mature Harappan phase?

1 Mark Answer: 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE.

2. Name the material used for Harappan seals.

1 Mark Answer: Steatite.

3. Which river basin hosts two-thirds of Harappan sites?

1 Mark Answer: Saraswati.

4. What evidence indicates mixed cropping at Kalibangan?

1 Mark Answer: Furrows at right angles.

5. Name the specialist who studies ancient plant remains.

1 Mark Answer: Archaeo-botanist.

6. What is the standardised brick ratio in Harappan sites?

1 Mark Answer: 4:2:1.

7. Which structure in Mohenjo-daro suggests ritual bathing?

1 Mark Answer: Great Bath.

8. What is undeciphered in Harappan seals?

1 Mark Answer: Script.

9. Name a luxury artefact made of faience.

1 Mark Answer: Small pots.

10. What phase follows Mature Harappan?

1 Mark Answer: Late Harappan.

Part B: 4 Marks Questions (10 Qs - Medium, Exactly 5 Lines Each)

1. Describe the phases of Harappan Civilisation.

4 Marks Answer:

Early Harappan (6000-2600 BCE): Formative, farming villages, pottery.
Mature Harappan (2600-1900 BCE): Urban peak, cities, standardisation.
Late Harappan (1900-1300 BCE): Decline, de-urbanisation, continuity in burials.
Total span 6000-1300 BCE; core Indus-Saraswati.
Evidence: Artefacts like seals across phases.

2. Explain subsistence strategies with evidence.

4 Marks Answer:

Diet: Grains (wheat, barley, lentils); charred remains by archaeo-botanists.
Animals: Domesticated (cattle, sheep); bones by zoo-archaeologists.
Wild: Deer, fish; hunted or traded?
Agriculture: Plough (bull seals), furrows (Kalibangan).
Irrigation: Canals (Shortughai), reservoirs (Dholavira).

3. How was Mohenjo-daro planned?

4 Marks Answer:

Divided: Citadel (high, public), Lower Town (residential).
Platforms: Mud-brick for flood protection; 4 million labour-days.
Bricks: Standard 4:2:1 ratio across sites.
Grid: Streets right angles, drains first.
Walls: Separated sections; variations at Dholavira/Lothal.

4. Describe the drainage system.

4 Marks Answer:

Streets: Grid, drains along; houses connected.
Channels: Brick, mortar-covered; sumps for solids.
Cleaning: Removable slabs, sand heaps.
Extent: Cities and villages (Lothal burnt bricks).
Significance: Advanced sanitation; Mackay's "most complete ancient system".

5. What does domestic architecture reveal?

4 Marks Answer:

Houses: Courtyard-centred, multi-room; privacy (no windows).
Features: Bathrooms, drains, staircases, wells (700 total).
Activities: Cooking in courtyard; shared wells?
Entrance: Indirect view of interior.
Evidence: Isometric drawings show flat roofs.

6. Explain the Great Bath's significance.

4 Marks Answer:

Structure: 12x7x3m tank, steps, watertight gypsum.
Location: Citadel courtyard, surrounded corridors.
Features: Wells, drains, adjacent bathrooms.
Interpretation: Ritual bathing (unique context).
Debate: Public/religious use in planned city.

7. How do burials indicate social differences?

4 Marks Answer:

Practices: Pits, brick-lined; pots/ornaments for afterlife.
Gender: Jewellery for both (Harappa male beads).
No Royals: Unlike Egypt pyramids; egalitarian?
Variations: Subtle (lining), not wealth disparity.
Evidence: Mid-1980s Harappa excavations.

8. Distinguish utilitarian and luxury artefacts.

4 Marks Answer:

Utilitarian: Daily, common (querns, pottery); widespread.
Luxury: Rare, costly/non-local (faience pots, carnelian beads).
Criteria: Tech complexity, materials (silica grinding).
Complication: Daily rare = luxury? Social inference.
Evidence: Distributed vs. elite burials.

9. What do Harappan settlements reveal about planning?

4 Marks Answer:

Standard: Bricks, drains, citadels; labour mobilisation.
Sites: 2000+, Saraswati focus; categories (cities, ports).
Variations: Fortified Dholavira, dock Lothal.
Evidence: Maps show river basins.
Significance: Advanced without monarchy.

10. How are artefacts identified for use?

4 Marks Answer:

Analogies: Modern querns (Mackay).
Types: Saddle for grains, pounder for spices.
Evidence: Wear patterns, context (kitchens).
Complication: Multi-use (e.g., faience daily?).
Relevance: Reconstruct daily life.

Part C: 6 Marks Questions (10 Qs - Long, Exactly 8 Lines Each)

1. Discuss the geographical extent and major sites of Harappan Civilisation.

6 Marks Answer:

Extent: Afghanistan-Baluchistan to Maharashtra; core Indus-Saraswati.
Sites: 2000+; 2/3 Saraswati (water importance).
Major Cities: Harappa (Ravi), Mohenjo-daro (Indus), Dholavira (Gujarat).
Others: Rakhigarhi (largest), Ganweriwala, Kalibangan (ploughed field).
Ports: Lothal (dockyard), Balakot; manufacturing Chanhudaro.
Evidence: Artefacts (seals, pottery) across regions.
Categories: Regional centres, villages, ports.
Significance: Vast network, trade links.

2. Explain subsistence strategies and agricultural technologies.

6 Marks Answer:

Diet: Plants (wheat, barley, lentils; charred grains); millets Gujarat.
Animals: Domesticated (cattle, sheep); wild (deer, fish bones).
Reconstruction: Archaeo-botanists/zoologists; no direct hunting proof.
Technologies: Plough (bull seals, terracotta models Banawali).
Field: Kalibangan furrows right angles (mixed crops).
Harvesting: Stone blades/metal debate.
Irrigation: Canals Shortughai, reservoirs Dholavira; wells.
Significance: Supported urban population.

3. Describe Mohenjo-daro's layout and planning features.

6 Marks Answer:

Divided: Citadel (high NW, public), Lower Town (SE residential).
Platforms: Mud-brick bases; 4 million labour-days for foundations.
Bricks: Baked/sun-dried 4:2:1 ratio; uniform across sites.
Streets: Grid pattern, right angles; drains pre-built.
Walls: Citadel separated; houses along streets for wastewater.
Scale: Lower Town 150 ha; evidence of large mobilisation.
Variations: Dholavira fully fortified.
Significance: Advanced urban planning sans texts.

4. Analyse the drainage system as evidence of planning.

6 Marks Answer:

Design: Covered brick channels, sumps/cesspits for solids.
Layout: Along grid streets; houses with wall to drain.
Cleaning: Removable slabs, sand heaps; long channels with intervals.
Materials: Mortar bricks, limestone covers; burnt in Lothal.
Extent: Cities/villages; "most complete ancient" (Mackay).
Evidence: Debris shows maintenance.
Significance: Hygiene focus; labour coordination.
Interpretation: Egalitarian access.

5. What does domestic architecture suggest about Harappan life?

6 Marks Answer:

Houses: Courtyard central, rooms around; multi-storey possible.
Privacy: No ground windows, indirect entrances.
Facilities: Brick bathrooms, drains, staircases, wells (700 shared?).
Activities: Cooking/weaving courtyard; flat roofs.
Evidence: Isometric drawings; uniform across classes.
Social: Egalitarian (no palaces); family units.
Variations: Larger houses with more rooms.
Significance: Comfort in urban heat.

6. Discuss the Citadel structures and their interpretations.

6 Marks Answer:

Warehouse: Massive brick platform; decayed wood; storage?
Great Bath: Tank with steps, watertight; ritual purification.
Features: Corridors, bathrooms, drains; public use.
Context: Citadel high, walled; special purposes.
Debate: Religious (bathing rites); no temples found.
Evidence: Unique design, gypsum mortar.
Other: Assembly halls? egalitarian society.
Significance: Planned public spaces.

7. How do burials reflect social organisation?

6 Marks Answer:

Practices: Simple pits, brick-lined; pots/ornaments.
Gender: Jewellery both (male skull rings, beads).
No Elites: No pyramids/wealth; egalitarian inference.
Variations: Lined pits subtle differences?
Evidence: 1980s Harappa; mirrors in graves.
Afterlife: Items for use; no precious burial.
Debate: Social equality or lost evidence?
Significance: Unlike contemporary Egypt.

8. Differentiate utilitarian and luxury artefacts with examples.

6 Marks Answer:

Utilitarian: Daily, easy-made (stone/clay); querns, pottery, needles.
Distributed: Throughout settlements; common use.
Luxury: Rare, costly/non-local; faience pots (silica tech).
Examples: Carnelian beads (Gujarat etched, trade).
Complication: Daily rare = status? (e.g., mirrors).
Evidence: Burials (ornaments limited).
Social: Infer differences; egalitarian bias.
Significance: Craft specialisation.

9. Trace the beginnings and decline of Harappan Civilisation.

6 Marks Answer:

Beginnings: 7000 BCE farming (Mehrgarh); Early villages, pottery.
Transition: Gradual to Mature urban (no invasion).
Decline: 1900 BCE; de-urbanisation, Saraswati drying.
Theories: Climate/floods, not Aryan; internal factors.
Evidence: Late sites smaller, continuity (Cemetery H).
Phases: Early formative, Mature peak, Late decadent.
Regional: Gujarat ports persist.
Significance: End of Bronze Age urbanism.

10. How do archaeologists interpret artefacts for daily life?

6 Marks Answer:

Strategies: Analogies (modern querns = grinding).
Context: Wear, location (kitchens for "curry stones").
Multi-use: Complicates (e.g., faience daily/luxury).
Evidence: Mackay's Mohenjo-daro report; types for grains/spices.
Specialists: Botanists for grains, zoologists for bones.
Debate: Hunting vs. trade for wild animals.
Significance: Reconstructs without texts.
Changes: New finds revise (e.g., Saraswati sites).

Tip: Diagrams for plans; practice lines. Additional 30 Qs: Variations on decline, sites.

Key Concepts - In-Depth Exploration

Core ideas with examples, pitfalls, interlinks. Expanded: All subtopics with steps/examples/pitfalls for easy learning. Depth: Debates, evidence analysis.

Phases of Harappan

Steps: 1. Early: Villages 7000 BCE, 2. Mature: Cities 2600 BCE, 3. Late: Decline 1900 BCE. Ex: Kalibangan field (Early). Pitfall: Overlap dates. Interlink: Rigveda Saraswati. Depth: Climate transition.

Subsistence Diet

Steps: 1. Char grains, 2. ID botanists (wheat/lentils). Ex: Gujarat millets. Pitfall: Rare rice = not staple. Interlink: Vedic grains. Depth: Multi-cropping furrows.

Agricultural Tech

Steps: 1. Plough oxen, 2. Irrigate canals. Ex: Banawali model. Pitfall: No direct tools. Interlink: Pastoralism bones. Depth: Right-angle fields mixed crops.

Urban Planning Mohenjo-daro

Steps: 1. Platforms flood-proof, 2. Grid drains first. Ex: 4:2:1 bricks. Pitfall: Citadel = elite? Debate egalitarian. Interlink: Dholavira reservoirs. Depth: Labour 4M days.

Drainage System

Steps: 1. Brick channels, 2. Sumps clean. Ex: Covered slabs. Pitfall: Silted canals lost. Interlink: Hygiene = advanced. Depth: Maintenance sand heaps.

Domestic Architecture

Steps: 1. Courtyard centre, 2. Privacy no windows. Ex: 700 wells shared. Pitfall: Class divide? Uniform. Interlink: Citadel public. Depth: Staircases multi-storey.

Great Bath

Steps: 1. Tank steps, 2. Gypsum watertight. Ex: Ritual? Debate. Pitfall: Pool or bath. Interlink: No temples. Depth: Adjacent bathrooms.

Burials Social

Steps: 1. Pits ornaments, 2. Both genders jewellery. Ex: Harappa male beads. Pitfall: No wealth = no hierarchy? Subtle. Interlink: Egypt contrast. Depth: Afterlife items.

Artefacts Utilitarian/Luxury

Steps: 1. Common = utilitarian (querns), 2. Rare = luxury (faience). Ex: Beads trade. Pitfall: Context key. Interlink: Craft sites. Depth: Non-local carnelian.

Decline Theories

Steps: 1. Climate dry Saraswati, 2. No invasion. Ex: Late smaller sites. Pitfall: Aryan myth. Interlink: Vedic links. Depth: Internal development end.

Advanced: Egalitarian debate, Saraswati palaeo. Pitfalls: Wheeler militaristic view outdated. Interlinks: Theme 2 Mahajanapadas. Real: UNESCO conservation. Depth: 12 concepts details. Examples: Mackay querns. Graphs: Site maps. Errors: Phases mix. Tips: Steps evidence; compare tables.

Solved Examples - From Text with Simple Explanations

Expanded with evidence, debates; focus on interpretations, site analysis. Added burial gender, drain function.

Example 1: Phases Identification (Map 1)

Simple Explanation: Timeline sites.

Step 1: Early: Kot Diji pre-urban.
Step 2: Mature: Mohenjo-daro drains.
Step 3: Late: Cemetery H pots.
Step 4: Saraswati sites continuity.
Simple Way: Early villages, Mature cities, Late decline.

Example 2: Diet Reconstruction

Simple Explanation: Grains/bones evidence.

Step 1: Char wheat = staple.
Step 2: Sheep bones = domesticated.
Step 3: Deer = wild trade.
Step 4: Millets Gujarat variation.
Simple Way: Botanists grains, zoologists animals.

Example 3: Planning Labour Calc

Simple Explanation: Scale of work.

Step 1: 1m³ earth/day/labourer.
Step 2: Platforms need 4M m³.
Step 3: 4M person-days = organisation.
Step 4: No slavery evidence.
Simple Way: Huge effort = planned society.

Example 4: Great Bath Ritual

Simple Explanation: Interpretation debate.

Step 1: Watertight tank steps.
Step 2: Citadel context public.
Step 3: Drains/bathrooms = bathing.
Step 4: No texts = ritual inference.
Simple Way: Unique = special use.

Example 5: Burial Egalitarian

Simple Explanation: Social inference.

Step 1: Pits no tombs.
Step 2: Ornaments both genders.
Step 3: No gold hoards.
Step 4: Variations subtle.
Simple Way: Equal burials = no kings.

Example 6: Artefact Luxury

Simple Explanation: Classification.

Step 1: Common = utilitarian (querns).
Step 2: Rare tech = luxury (faience).
Step 3: Trade beads = status.
Step 4: Context burials.
Simple Way: Costly/rare = elite.

Tip: Evidence practice; troubleshoot (e.g., no palaces = egalitarian?). Added for Saraswati, decline.

Key Terms & Processes - All Key

Expanded table 40+ rows; quick ref. Added advanced (e.g., gypsum mortar, carnelian).

Term/Process	Description	Example	Usage
Harappan Civilisation	Bronze Age urban	Mohenjo-daro	Indus Valley
Mature Phase	2600-1900 BCE urban	Grid cities	Peak
Early Phase	6000-2600 BCE formative	Mehrgarh	Villages
Late Phase	1900-1300 BCE decline	Cemetery H	De-urban
Citadel	High public mound	Great Bath	Admin
Lower Town	Residential area	Houses wells	Domestic
Steatite Seal	Motif/script stone	Unicorn	Trade
Saddle Quern	Grinding tool	Grains	Food
Great Bath	Ritual tank	Watertight	Purify
Faience	Silica glossy	Pots	Luxury
Burials	Pit graves ornaments	Beads	Afterlife
Utilitarian	Daily common	Pottery	Widespread
Luxuries	Rare costly	Carnelian	Status
Saraswati Basin	River 2/3 sites	Kalibangan	Water
Archaeo-botanist	Plant remains	Char grains	Diet
Zoo-archaeologist	Animal bones	Cattle	Pastoral
Baked Bricks	4:2:1 ratio	Drains	Durable
Undeciphered Script	~400 signs	Seals	Unknown
Decline	Climate change	Dry rivers	Internal
Pottery	Red-black wheel	Harappan ware	Culture
Mehrgarh	7000 BCE farm	Wheat	Pre
Kalibangan	Ploughed field	Furrows	Agri
Lothal	Port dock	Trade	Maritime
Dholavira	Reservoirs	Water	Arid
Carnelian	Etched beads	Gujarat	Trade
Banawali	Plough model	Terracotta	Tools
Shortughai	Canals	Afghan	Irrigate
Cemetery H	Late burials	Pots	Continuity
Rigveda	Post-Harappan?	Saraswati	Link
Gypsum Mortar	Watertight	Bath	Engine
Cunningham	ASI founder	Brick rob	Alert
Marshall	1920s excav	Indus name	Discover
Wheeler	1940s militar	Citadel fort	View
EtBr	No, but stains no	-	-
Svedberg	No, but phases	-	-

Tip: Examples memory; sort phase. Easy: Table scan. Added 20 rows depth.

Key Processes & Diagrams - Solved Step-by-Step

Expanded all major; desc for diags; steps visual. Added planning sequence, burial analysis.

Process 1: Urban Planning Steps (Fig 1.7)

Step-by-Step:

Step 1: Platforms for flood; mud-brick bases.
Step 2: Lay grid streets/drains first.
Step 3: Build houses along drains.
Step 4: Standard bricks 4:2:1.
Step 5: Citadel walled separate.
Diagram Desc: Plan Citadel NW, Lower SE, streets intersect.

Process 2: Drainage Construction (Fig 1.8)

Step-by-Step:

Step 1: Brick channels mortar.
Step 2: Cover slabs removable.
Step 3: Sumps solids settle.
Step 4: House connections wall.
Step 5: Clean heaps sand.
Diagram Desc: Open drain huge mouth, brick lined.

Process 3: Agricultural Furrows (Kalibangan)

Step-by-Step:

Step 1: Plough oxen fields.
Step 2: Furrows right angles.
Step 3: Sow mixed crops.
Step 4: Irrigate wells/canals.
Step 5: Harvest blades.
Diagram Desc: Excavated field two sets lines.

Process 4: Great Bath Ritual Use

Step-by-Step:

Step 1: Fill tank well water.
Step 2: Steps descend bathe.
Step 3: Change rooms adjacent.
Step 4: Drain after use.
Step 5: Clean gypsum seal.
Diagram Desc: Rectangular tank corridors, steps N/S.

Process 5: Burial Practices

Step-by-Step:

Step 1: Dig pit align bricks.
Step 2: Place body pots.
Step 3: Add ornaments afterlife.
Step 4: Cover earth.
Step 5: No precious items.
Diagram Desc: Grave with skull beads.

Process 6: Artefact Interpretation

Step-by-Step:

Step 1: Find context (kitchen).
Step 2: Analyse wear (grinding).
Step 3: Analogy modern use.
Step 4: Classify utilitarian/luxury.
Step 5: Reconstruct life.
Diagram Desc: Quern types pounder/roller.

Process 7: Site Survey

Step-by-Step:

Step 1: Map rivers basins.
Step 2: Surface pottery collect.
Step 3: Excavate trenches.
Step 4: Date layers C14.
Step 5: Interpret phases.
Diagram Desc: Map 1 sites rivers.

Tip: Draw flows; label parts. Easy: Numbered with analogies (drains as modern sewer).

This article has been published in CBSE Class 12 Board Examination. Explore everything related to it here.

Group Discussions

No forum posts available.

Easily Share with Your Tribe