Selina Textbook Solutions: The River Valley Civilisations – Indus Valley Civilisation | History Class 6 ICSE PDF Download

 Page 1


Exercise 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The Indus Valley Civilisation was the Earliest civilisation of India. 
2. Harappa is situated in Sahiwal district in Pakistan. 
3. The Indus Valley Civilisation stood on the bank of river Indus 
4. The largest building discovered at Mohenjodaro is Great Granary. 
5. Bronze metal was used by the people of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
6. Indus people used Burnt bricks for constructing buildings. 
7. The Harappan culture came to an end by 1500 BC. 
II. Match Column A with Column B 
Column A                                                           Column B 
 
 
Answer: 
 
III. Answer the following questions? 
Question 1. 
Who discovered the Indus Valley Civilisation and when? 
Answer: 
Mr. Daya Ram Sahni discovered the ruins of Harappa in 1921. Next year, in 1922 Dr. 
Rakhal Das Bannerjee discovered the ruins of Mohenjodaro. 
Page 2


Exercise 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The Indus Valley Civilisation was the Earliest civilisation of India. 
2. Harappa is situated in Sahiwal district in Pakistan. 
3. The Indus Valley Civilisation stood on the bank of river Indus 
4. The largest building discovered at Mohenjodaro is Great Granary. 
5. Bronze metal was used by the people of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
6. Indus people used Burnt bricks for constructing buildings. 
7. The Harappan culture came to an end by 1500 BC. 
II. Match Column A with Column B 
Column A                                                           Column B 
 
 
Answer: 
 
III. Answer the following questions? 
Question 1. 
Who discovered the Indus Valley Civilisation and when? 
Answer: 
Mr. Daya Ram Sahni discovered the ruins of Harappa in 1921. Next year, in 1922 Dr. 
Rakhal Das Bannerjee discovered the ruins of Mohenjodaro. 
Question 2. 
What does civilisation mean? Give four characteristics of a civilisation. 
Answer: 
The stage of development when man looks for more than just fulfillment of his basic 
needs, is called civilisation.  
Characteristics of a civilisation: 
1. Surplus food production 
2. Flourishing of many arts and crafts 
3. Law and order exists 
4. Presence of a government. 
Question 3. 
Why did the earliest civilisations grow up near rivers? 
Answer: 
The earliest civilisations grew up on the banks of rivers because of the following 
reasons. 
1. The rivers provided abundant supply of water for various purposes all through the 
year. 
2. The lands near the rivers were very fertile, hence good for growing crops. 
3. Rivers provided means of transport and communication. 
Question 4. 
Name the different sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
Answer: 
Various sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation were —The river valleys had warm and 
pleasant climate which favoured permanent settlement of population. Harappa, 
Mohenjodaro, Lothal, Kalibangan, Ropar, Alamgirpur, Banwali, Sutkagendor and others. 
Question 5. 
Describe the town planning and the drainage system of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
Answer: 
The cities were divided into two parts. The upper part called ‘citadel’ was built on a 
raised ground. It was inhabited by the upper class and had public buildings such as 
granaries. The lower part was inhabited by the common people. Each house had a 
courtyard, several rooms around it, a toilet and a well. All the buildings were built of 
burnt bricks. Large blocks of houses were built along both the sides of streets.The roads 
were wide and straight and cut each other at right angles. Smaller streets led to bigger 
streets. The streets had lamp posts. The drainage system was of the highest order ; 
even many of our present towns do not have such excellent drainage system. House 
drains were connected to the street drains which joined the main drains which emptied 
outside the city limits. The drains were covered with stone slabs and had manholes at 
regular intervals. They were cleaned regularly.The Indus people were veiy conscious of 
hygiene and sanitation. 
Page 3


Exercise 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The Indus Valley Civilisation was the Earliest civilisation of India. 
2. Harappa is situated in Sahiwal district in Pakistan. 
3. The Indus Valley Civilisation stood on the bank of river Indus 
4. The largest building discovered at Mohenjodaro is Great Granary. 
5. Bronze metal was used by the people of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
6. Indus people used Burnt bricks for constructing buildings. 
7. The Harappan culture came to an end by 1500 BC. 
II. Match Column A with Column B 
Column A                                                           Column B 
 
 
Answer: 
 
III. Answer the following questions? 
Question 1. 
Who discovered the Indus Valley Civilisation and when? 
Answer: 
Mr. Daya Ram Sahni discovered the ruins of Harappa in 1921. Next year, in 1922 Dr. 
Rakhal Das Bannerjee discovered the ruins of Mohenjodaro. 
Question 2. 
What does civilisation mean? Give four characteristics of a civilisation. 
Answer: 
The stage of development when man looks for more than just fulfillment of his basic 
needs, is called civilisation.  
Characteristics of a civilisation: 
1. Surplus food production 
2. Flourishing of many arts and crafts 
3. Law and order exists 
4. Presence of a government. 
Question 3. 
Why did the earliest civilisations grow up near rivers? 
Answer: 
The earliest civilisations grew up on the banks of rivers because of the following 
reasons. 
1. The rivers provided abundant supply of water for various purposes all through the 
year. 
2. The lands near the rivers were very fertile, hence good for growing crops. 
3. Rivers provided means of transport and communication. 
Question 4. 
Name the different sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
Answer: 
Various sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation were —The river valleys had warm and 
pleasant climate which favoured permanent settlement of population. Harappa, 
Mohenjodaro, Lothal, Kalibangan, Ropar, Alamgirpur, Banwali, Sutkagendor and others. 
Question 5. 
Describe the town planning and the drainage system of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
Answer: 
The cities were divided into two parts. The upper part called ‘citadel’ was built on a 
raised ground. It was inhabited by the upper class and had public buildings such as 
granaries. The lower part was inhabited by the common people. Each house had a 
courtyard, several rooms around it, a toilet and a well. All the buildings were built of 
burnt bricks. Large blocks of houses were built along both the sides of streets.The roads 
were wide and straight and cut each other at right angles. Smaller streets led to bigger 
streets. The streets had lamp posts. The drainage system was of the highest order ; 
even many of our present towns do not have such excellent drainage system. House 
drains were connected to the street drains which joined the main drains which emptied 
outside the city limits. The drains were covered with stone slabs and had manholes at 
regular intervals. They were cleaned regularly.The Indus people were veiy conscious of 
hygiene and sanitation. 
Question 6. 
Describe the Great Bath. Where has it been found? What was it used for? 
Answer: 
1. The Great Bath was a sort of modem swimming pool, discovered at Mohenjodaro. 
It is an example of excellent engineering’ work. It was built of burnt brick. It 
measures 11 .-88 x 7.01 metres 
2. The lands near the rivers were very fertile, hence good for growing crops. 
3. Rivers provided means of transport and communication. 
4. The river valleys had warm and pleasant climate which favoured permanent 
settlement of population. 
Question 7. 
Describe the Great Granary. Where has it been found? 
Answer: 
The Great Granary was found at Mohenjodaro and it was the largest building 
discovered there. It was used for storing grains in huge quantities for lean periods. Brick 
platforms have been found near the granaries which were used for threshing grain. 
Many two-room shelters have also been found nearby which were perhaps used by 
labourers. Granaries were built close to river banks to facilitate easier transportation of 
grains during emergencies. 
Question 8. 
Describe the religion of Indus Valley Civilisation 
Answer: 
The Harappans worshiped the pipal tree and humped bull which have been found on 
hundreds of seals. They also worshiped Mother Goddess which were beautifully 
depicted as terracotta figurines. The Harappans also worshiped ‘Shiva’ or ‘Pashupati’. A 
three-faced figure with horns has been found sitting in the posture of a yogi. He is 
surrounded by a tiger, a rhinoceros, a buffalo, and an elephant. But no temple or any 
other religious building has been found so far. The Harappans believed in life after 
death and buried the dead with his belongings. 
Question 9. 
Name the three social classes of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
Answer: 
The three social classes were: 
1. Rich merchants and priests e. the ruling class. 
2. Small merchants, artisans and craftsmen. 
3. Peasants and labourers. 
Question 10. 
What were the probable causes which could have brought about an abrupt end to the 
Indus Valley Civilisation? 
Page 4


Exercise 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The Indus Valley Civilisation was the Earliest civilisation of India. 
2. Harappa is situated in Sahiwal district in Pakistan. 
3. The Indus Valley Civilisation stood on the bank of river Indus 
4. The largest building discovered at Mohenjodaro is Great Granary. 
5. Bronze metal was used by the people of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
6. Indus people used Burnt bricks for constructing buildings. 
7. The Harappan culture came to an end by 1500 BC. 
II. Match Column A with Column B 
Column A                                                           Column B 
 
 
Answer: 
 
III. Answer the following questions? 
Question 1. 
Who discovered the Indus Valley Civilisation and when? 
Answer: 
Mr. Daya Ram Sahni discovered the ruins of Harappa in 1921. Next year, in 1922 Dr. 
Rakhal Das Bannerjee discovered the ruins of Mohenjodaro. 
Question 2. 
What does civilisation mean? Give four characteristics of a civilisation. 
Answer: 
The stage of development when man looks for more than just fulfillment of his basic 
needs, is called civilisation.  
Characteristics of a civilisation: 
1. Surplus food production 
2. Flourishing of many arts and crafts 
3. Law and order exists 
4. Presence of a government. 
Question 3. 
Why did the earliest civilisations grow up near rivers? 
Answer: 
The earliest civilisations grew up on the banks of rivers because of the following 
reasons. 
1. The rivers provided abundant supply of water for various purposes all through the 
year. 
2. The lands near the rivers were very fertile, hence good for growing crops. 
3. Rivers provided means of transport and communication. 
Question 4. 
Name the different sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
Answer: 
Various sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation were —The river valleys had warm and 
pleasant climate which favoured permanent settlement of population. Harappa, 
Mohenjodaro, Lothal, Kalibangan, Ropar, Alamgirpur, Banwali, Sutkagendor and others. 
Question 5. 
Describe the town planning and the drainage system of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
Answer: 
The cities were divided into two parts. The upper part called ‘citadel’ was built on a 
raised ground. It was inhabited by the upper class and had public buildings such as 
granaries. The lower part was inhabited by the common people. Each house had a 
courtyard, several rooms around it, a toilet and a well. All the buildings were built of 
burnt bricks. Large blocks of houses were built along both the sides of streets.The roads 
were wide and straight and cut each other at right angles. Smaller streets led to bigger 
streets. The streets had lamp posts. The drainage system was of the highest order ; 
even many of our present towns do not have such excellent drainage system. House 
drains were connected to the street drains which joined the main drains which emptied 
outside the city limits. The drains were covered with stone slabs and had manholes at 
regular intervals. They were cleaned regularly.The Indus people were veiy conscious of 
hygiene and sanitation. 
Question 6. 
Describe the Great Bath. Where has it been found? What was it used for? 
Answer: 
1. The Great Bath was a sort of modem swimming pool, discovered at Mohenjodaro. 
It is an example of excellent engineering’ work. It was built of burnt brick. It 
measures 11 .-88 x 7.01 metres 
2. The lands near the rivers were very fertile, hence good for growing crops. 
3. Rivers provided means of transport and communication. 
4. The river valleys had warm and pleasant climate which favoured permanent 
settlement of population. 
Question 7. 
Describe the Great Granary. Where has it been found? 
Answer: 
The Great Granary was found at Mohenjodaro and it was the largest building 
discovered there. It was used for storing grains in huge quantities for lean periods. Brick 
platforms have been found near the granaries which were used for threshing grain. 
Many two-room shelters have also been found nearby which were perhaps used by 
labourers. Granaries were built close to river banks to facilitate easier transportation of 
grains during emergencies. 
Question 8. 
Describe the religion of Indus Valley Civilisation 
Answer: 
The Harappans worshiped the pipal tree and humped bull which have been found on 
hundreds of seals. They also worshiped Mother Goddess which were beautifully 
depicted as terracotta figurines. The Harappans also worshiped ‘Shiva’ or ‘Pashupati’. A 
three-faced figure with horns has been found sitting in the posture of a yogi. He is 
surrounded by a tiger, a rhinoceros, a buffalo, and an elephant. But no temple or any 
other religious building has been found so far. The Harappans believed in life after 
death and buried the dead with his belongings. 
Question 9. 
Name the three social classes of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
Answer: 
The three social classes were: 
1. Rich merchants and priests e. the ruling class. 
2. Small merchants, artisans and craftsmen. 
3. Peasants and labourers. 
Question 10. 
What were the probable causes which could have brought about an abrupt end to the 
Indus Valley Civilisation? 
Answer: 
There are many reasons attributed to the fall of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
1. The Harappan cities were destroyed by invaders who were probably the Aryans. 
2. Natural calamities such as floods, earthquakes and epidemics might have 
destroyed the civilisation. 
3. River Indus might have changed its course and turned the region into a desert. 
IV. Give reasons why we say that the people of the Indus Valley Civilisation — 
1. Had a good sense of cleanliness 
2. Carried on trade with Mesopotamia 
3. Produced surplus grains 
4. Had an idea of metallurgy 
Answer: 
1. The arrangement of drains, wide roads and houses with toilets and drains attest to 
their sense of cleanliness. 
2. Mesopotamian seals have been found in Harappan cities and Harappan seals 
have been discovered in cities of ancient Mesopotamia. 
3. Big granaries and existence of towns prove the fact that they produced surplus 
food grains. 
4. A bronze figure of a dancing girl has been found. Several other images, weapons, 
utensils and tools of copper and bronze have also been found. Jewellery made of 
gold and silver has been found at various sites. 
Textbook Keywords 
1. Dwelling houses are buildings, that people live in and but do not use as offices, 
trading places, etc. 
2. Public building These buildings are used by all the people and are not privately 
owned. 
3. Granaries were the store houses where the people of Indus valley civilization 
stored their extra grain. The Great Granary was discovered at Harappa. 
4. Great Bath was a big tank at Mohanjodaro that was probably used by the general 
public during religious ceremonies. Drainage system It is a process by which 
water or liquid waste is drained out from an area. 
5. Terracotta It is a reddish-brown clay that has been baked. Seals are the clay 
tablets used by Harappan merchants to stamp their goods. 
6. Mother Goddess was the female deity worshiped by the people of the Indus 
Valley civilization. Many smoke- stained clay figures of the Mother Goddess have 
been found 
Additional Questions 
Page 5


Exercise 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The Indus Valley Civilisation was the Earliest civilisation of India. 
2. Harappa is situated in Sahiwal district in Pakistan. 
3. The Indus Valley Civilisation stood on the bank of river Indus 
4. The largest building discovered at Mohenjodaro is Great Granary. 
5. Bronze metal was used by the people of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
6. Indus people used Burnt bricks for constructing buildings. 
7. The Harappan culture came to an end by 1500 BC. 
II. Match Column A with Column B 
Column A                                                           Column B 
 
 
Answer: 
 
III. Answer the following questions? 
Question 1. 
Who discovered the Indus Valley Civilisation and when? 
Answer: 
Mr. Daya Ram Sahni discovered the ruins of Harappa in 1921. Next year, in 1922 Dr. 
Rakhal Das Bannerjee discovered the ruins of Mohenjodaro. 
Question 2. 
What does civilisation mean? Give four characteristics of a civilisation. 
Answer: 
The stage of development when man looks for more than just fulfillment of his basic 
needs, is called civilisation.  
Characteristics of a civilisation: 
1. Surplus food production 
2. Flourishing of many arts and crafts 
3. Law and order exists 
4. Presence of a government. 
Question 3. 
Why did the earliest civilisations grow up near rivers? 
Answer: 
The earliest civilisations grew up on the banks of rivers because of the following 
reasons. 
1. The rivers provided abundant supply of water for various purposes all through the 
year. 
2. The lands near the rivers were very fertile, hence good for growing crops. 
3. Rivers provided means of transport and communication. 
Question 4. 
Name the different sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
Answer: 
Various sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation were —The river valleys had warm and 
pleasant climate which favoured permanent settlement of population. Harappa, 
Mohenjodaro, Lothal, Kalibangan, Ropar, Alamgirpur, Banwali, Sutkagendor and others. 
Question 5. 
Describe the town planning and the drainage system of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
Answer: 
The cities were divided into two parts. The upper part called ‘citadel’ was built on a 
raised ground. It was inhabited by the upper class and had public buildings such as 
granaries. The lower part was inhabited by the common people. Each house had a 
courtyard, several rooms around it, a toilet and a well. All the buildings were built of 
burnt bricks. Large blocks of houses were built along both the sides of streets.The roads 
were wide and straight and cut each other at right angles. Smaller streets led to bigger 
streets. The streets had lamp posts. The drainage system was of the highest order ; 
even many of our present towns do not have such excellent drainage system. House 
drains were connected to the street drains which joined the main drains which emptied 
outside the city limits. The drains were covered with stone slabs and had manholes at 
regular intervals. They were cleaned regularly.The Indus people were veiy conscious of 
hygiene and sanitation. 
Question 6. 
Describe the Great Bath. Where has it been found? What was it used for? 
Answer: 
1. The Great Bath was a sort of modem swimming pool, discovered at Mohenjodaro. 
It is an example of excellent engineering’ work. It was built of burnt brick. It 
measures 11 .-88 x 7.01 metres 
2. The lands near the rivers were very fertile, hence good for growing crops. 
3. Rivers provided means of transport and communication. 
4. The river valleys had warm and pleasant climate which favoured permanent 
settlement of population. 
Question 7. 
Describe the Great Granary. Where has it been found? 
Answer: 
The Great Granary was found at Mohenjodaro and it was the largest building 
discovered there. It was used for storing grains in huge quantities for lean periods. Brick 
platforms have been found near the granaries which were used for threshing grain. 
Many two-room shelters have also been found nearby which were perhaps used by 
labourers. Granaries were built close to river banks to facilitate easier transportation of 
grains during emergencies. 
Question 8. 
Describe the religion of Indus Valley Civilisation 
Answer: 
The Harappans worshiped the pipal tree and humped bull which have been found on 
hundreds of seals. They also worshiped Mother Goddess which were beautifully 
depicted as terracotta figurines. The Harappans also worshiped ‘Shiva’ or ‘Pashupati’. A 
three-faced figure with horns has been found sitting in the posture of a yogi. He is 
surrounded by a tiger, a rhinoceros, a buffalo, and an elephant. But no temple or any 
other religious building has been found so far. The Harappans believed in life after 
death and buried the dead with his belongings. 
Question 9. 
Name the three social classes of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
Answer: 
The three social classes were: 
1. Rich merchants and priests e. the ruling class. 
2. Small merchants, artisans and craftsmen. 
3. Peasants and labourers. 
Question 10. 
What were the probable causes which could have brought about an abrupt end to the 
Indus Valley Civilisation? 
Answer: 
There are many reasons attributed to the fall of the Indus Valley Civilisation. 
1. The Harappan cities were destroyed by invaders who were probably the Aryans. 
2. Natural calamities such as floods, earthquakes and epidemics might have 
destroyed the civilisation. 
3. River Indus might have changed its course and turned the region into a desert. 
IV. Give reasons why we say that the people of the Indus Valley Civilisation — 
1. Had a good sense of cleanliness 
2. Carried on trade with Mesopotamia 
3. Produced surplus grains 
4. Had an idea of metallurgy 
Answer: 
1. The arrangement of drains, wide roads and houses with toilets and drains attest to 
their sense of cleanliness. 
2. Mesopotamian seals have been found in Harappan cities and Harappan seals 
have been discovered in cities of ancient Mesopotamia. 
3. Big granaries and existence of towns prove the fact that they produced surplus 
food grains. 
4. A bronze figure of a dancing girl has been found. Several other images, weapons, 
utensils and tools of copper and bronze have also been found. Jewellery made of 
gold and silver has been found at various sites. 
Textbook Keywords 
1. Dwelling houses are buildings, that people live in and but do not use as offices, 
trading places, etc. 
2. Public building These buildings are used by all the people and are not privately 
owned. 
3. Granaries were the store houses where the people of Indus valley civilization 
stored their extra grain. The Great Granary was discovered at Harappa. 
4. Great Bath was a big tank at Mohanjodaro that was probably used by the general 
public during religious ceremonies. Drainage system It is a process by which 
water or liquid waste is drained out from an area. 
5. Terracotta It is a reddish-brown clay that has been baked. Seals are the clay 
tablets used by Harappan merchants to stamp their goods. 
6. Mother Goddess was the female deity worshiped by the people of the Indus 
Valley civilization. Many smoke- stained clay figures of the Mother Goddess have 
been found 
Additional Questions 
A. Fill in the blanks. 
1. The main river of the Harappan civilization was Ravi. 
2. The Great Bath is located in Mohenjodaro. 
3. The main occupation of the Harappan were farming. 
4. The rich wore ornaments made of gold, silver and ivoiy. 
5. The Harappan seals are made of clay, soapstone and copper. 
B. Match the following: 
 
Answer: 
 
C. Choose the correct answer: 
1. The Harappan civilization belongs to the Mesolithic/ Neolithic/Bronze 
Ans. The Harappan civilization belongs to the Bronze Age. 
2. Lothal/Ropar/Harappa was the first city to be discovered in the Indus Valley region. 
Ans. Harappa was the first city to be discovered in the Indus Valley region. 
3. The Assembly Hall is in Mohanjodaro/Lothal/Harappa. 
Ans. The Assembly Hall is in Mohanjodaro. 
4. Wheat/Fish/Barley was the staple food of the Harappans. 
Ans. Wheat was the staple food of the Harappans. 
5. The neem/banyan/pipal tree was probably regarded as sacred by the Harappans. 
Ans. The pipal tree was probably regarded as sacred by the Harappans. 
D. State whether the following are true or false.