Samacheer Class 6 Social Science - Indus Civilisation

The odd one is Horses. The other animals listed—oxen, sheep, buffaloes, and pigs—were all domesticated and used by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization. Horses were not commonly found or used in the Indus Valley Civilization, making them the odd one out from this list of animals that were part of the civilization's economy and daily life.

True. Mehergarh is indeed a significant Neolithic site, providing evidence of early farming and pastoralism in South Asia. True. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the premier organization responsible for archaeological research and the protection of cultural heritage, including monuments and sites, in the country. True. Granaries were large structures specifically designed and used to store surplus grains, which was a common practice in ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley Civilization to manage food supply. False. The earliest form of writings was not developed by the Chinese; rather, cuneiform script, developed by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia, is generally considered the earliest known writing system.

Baked foods are those that are cooked using heat and include items such as rice, wheat, cooked vegetables, cooked greens, cooked roots, cooked mutton, and cooked fish. Raw foods are those consumed in their natural state without cooking and include fresh fruits, some uncooked vegetables, and nuts. Both categories provide important nutrients and were part of the diet of people in ancient civilizations.

Yes, the practice of worshipping animals and trees is still observed in many parts of the world. People belonging to various religions and cultures worship certain animals and trees as sacred. In India, for example, the cow is considered sacred in Hinduism, and trees like the banyan and peepal are worshipped in many communities. This practice reflects the deep spiritual connection that people have with nature and demonstrates how ancient beliefs and traditions continue to influence modern religious practices.

The question appears to contain unclear phrasing, but if it refers to how toys or objects moved in ancient times without batteries, the answer is that they used wheels. Wheels were one of the most important inventions of ancient civilizations, enabling the movement of carts, chariots, and other wheeled vehicles. The Indus Valley people used wheels for transportation and possibly for pottery making on potter's wheels, demonstrating their advanced understanding of mechanics and engineering.

The dog was the first animal to be domesticated and tamed by humans for several important reasons. Dogs possessed natural abilities that made them invaluable to early human communities. Their keen sense of smell allowed them to detect and warn people of the approach of dangerous wild animals, providing protection to human settlements. Additionally, dogs were excellent hunters and could assist people in hunting activities, helping them track prey and making hunting more successful and efficient. Dogs were also relatively easy to train compared to other animals, and they formed strong bonds with humans, making them reliable companions. These qualities made dogs the ideal first choice for domestication among all animals.

If I were an archaeologist, I would conduct systematic excavations at important historical sites to uncover and study the remains of past civilizations. I would carefully excavate buried structures, artifacts, and other archaeological remains using proper scientific methods and tools. I would document and preserve all findings meticulously, recording their exact locations and contexts. I would analyze the artifacts to understand the lifestyle, culture, technology, and social organization of ancient peoples. I would also work to protect and conserve historical sites for future generations and contribute to our understanding of human history and civilization.

Two Indus sites located on the Indian border are Kalibangan and Lothal. Kalibangan is an ancient site of the Indus Valley Civilization located in the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan, India, near the Ghaggar river. Lothal is another prominent city of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, situated in the Bhal region of the modern state of Gujarat, India. Both sites have provided valuable archaeological evidence about the urban planning, trade, and culture of the Indus people.

Nowadays, an electronic weighing machine is commonly used to weigh things. These machines use load cells and digital displays to provide precise measurements of mass. They are widely used in various settings, from household kitchens and retail stores to industrial applications and scientific laboratories, offering accuracy and convenience compared to older mechanical scales.

The Indus Valley Civilization is called the Bronze Age Civilization because bronze was the primary metal used during this period for making tools, weapons, and other artifacts. Bronze is an alloy made by combining copper and tin, and it is harder and more durable than pure copper. The period is characterized by the widespread use and production of bronze articles, which represented a significant technological advancement over the earlier Stone Age. The use of bronze tools and weapons made the civilization more efficient in agriculture, hunting, and warfare. Therefore, the Indus Valley Civilization is also known as the Bronze Age Civilization, following the archaeological convention of naming historical periods based on the primary materials and technologies used by the people of that time.

The Indus Valley Civilization is called an urban civilization because it possessed several distinctive features of organized urban life. It demonstrated well-conceived town planning with streets laid out in a grid pattern and systematic organization of residential and public areas. The civilization showcased astonishing masonry and architecture with well-constructed buildings made of standardized bricks. There was a clear priority given to hygiene and public health, as evidenced by the sophisticated drainage systems and covered sewers found in the settlements. The use of standardized weights and measures indicates a developed system of trade and commerce. The civilization had a solid agricultural and artisanal base that supported the urban population, with evidence of farming, craft production, and specialized occupations. These features collectively demonstrate that the Indus Valley Civilization was a highly organized urban society with advanced administrative systems, sophisticated infrastructure, and a complex social structure, which are the defining characteristics of urban civilizations.

The Indus people used cotton to make clothes. Cotton cultivation was one of the significant agricultural achievements of the Indus Valley Civilization. Archaeological evidence, including fragments of cotton textiles and cotton seeds, suggests that they were among the earliest civilizations to cultivate cotton and use it for weaving fabrics. This indicates a sophisticated understanding of agriculture and textile production during that period.

Harappa was the first Indus city discovered. It was discovered in 1921 by Daya Ram Sahni. The discovery of Harappa, along with Mohenjo-Daro, marked the beginning of archaeological investigations into the Indus Valley Civilization, revealing a highly advanced urban culture that flourished thousands of years ago in the Indian subcontinent. The city's ruins provided crucial insights into the planning, architecture, and daily life of the Indus people.

The Indus Civilization was located in the Indus Valley, which primarily refers to the basin of the Indus River and its tributaries. This vast area covered parts of modern-day Pakistan, Afghanistan, and northwest India. The civilization flourished along the fertile plains of these rivers, which provided essential water resources for agriculture and transportation, enabling the development of large urban centers and a thriving society.

Bullocks were commonly used to pull carts by the Indus people. Evidence from archaeological findings, including terracotta models of bullock carts and depictions on seals, indicates that bullocks played a crucial role in transportation and agriculture during the Indus Valley Civilization. They were essential for carrying goods, plowing fields, and facilitating trade, contributing significantly to the economic activities of the time.

Iron was unknown to the Indus people. The Indus Valley Civilization belonged to the Bronze Age, meaning they were familiar with and used metals like copper, bronze, gold, and silver. Iron metallurgy developed much later in history, marking the beginning of the Iron Age. Therefore, the tools, weapons, and other artifacts found from the Indus sites are made of copper, bronze, and stone, but not iron.

The wheel was used to make pots. The Indus Valley Civilization was known for its sophisticated pottery, and the use of the potter's wheel was a significant technological advancement that allowed for the mass production of uniform and finely crafted pottery. This invention greatly improved the efficiency and quality of pottery production, which was essential for daily life, storage, and trade within the civilization.

The Indus valley civilization is considered the largest civilization among the four ancient civilizations of the world. The other three ancient civilizations are the Egyptian civilization along the Nile river, the Mesopotamian civilization between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and the Chinese civilization along the Yellow river. The Indus civilization covered a much larger geographical area than these other civilizations.

Charles Masson, a British explorer and archaeologist, saw some mysterious brick mounds during his travels in the region. These brick mounds were the remains of ancient Indus cities, though their true significance and age were not understood at that time. His observations contributed to the eventual discovery and excavation of the Indus civilization.

Three things that the Indus people used which we use today are toys, carts, and jewels. Toys such as small figurines and wheeled toys were made by the Harappans for children's play, similar to toys we use today. Carts with wheels were used for transportation of goods and people. Jewels and ornaments made from metals, stones, and beads were worn for decoration and adornment, just as people wear jewelry today.

Burnt bricks have been found in large quantities at Indus Valley sites. These bricks were standardized in size and were used to construct buildings, walls, and other structures. The use of burnt bricks demonstrates the advanced construction techniques and urban planning of the Indus civilization. Besides burnt bricks, archaeologists have also discovered seals, pottery, tools, ornaments, and figurines at various excavation sites.

Three things unknown to the Indus people were guns, paper, and ink. Guns were invented much later during the medieval period. Paper was invented in China and became known to other civilizations centuries after the Indus civilization had declined. Ink as we know it today was also not available to the Indus people, who used other methods for writing and marking on seals and pottery.

The Mesopotamian Civilization is considered the oldest civilization in the world. It developed in the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in present-day Iraq around 3500 BCE. The Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished in the Indian subcontinent, developed around 2300 BCE, making it younger than the Mesopotamian Civilization. However, both civilizations were contemporaries for some period and represent important early developments in human civilization.

The dog was the first animal to be tamed by humans because it was naturally suited to living alongside people. Dogs helped early humans in hunting by tracking prey, alerting them to danger, and assisting in capturing animals. Their keen sense of smell and hearing made them invaluable companions for hunters. Additionally, dogs were easier to feed and control compared to other wild animals, and they could adapt to living in human settlements, making them the ideal first domesticated animal.

The people of the Indus Valley Civilization were the first people to grow cotton. Cotton cultivation was an important agricultural activity in the Indus region, and evidence of cotton seeds and cotton textiles has been found at archaeological sites. The Indus people developed advanced techniques for growing, harvesting, and processing cotton into cloth. This cotton was used for making clothes and was also traded with other civilizations, making cotton an important commodity in their economy.

The Archaeological Survey of India is the institution responsible for archaeological research in India. It was established to systematically excavate, preserve, and study historical sites and artifacts across the country. The ASI has conducted major excavations at important sites like Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Lothal, and Kalibangan, which have greatly contributed to our understanding of ancient Indian civilizations, particularly the Indus Valley Civilization. The organization continues to protect and maintain archaeological monuments and sites of national importance.

No, there was no major river valley civilization found in Tamil Nadu during the period of the Indus Valley Civilization. While Tamil Nadu has a rich archaeological heritage with sites from later periods, the contemporary civilizations of the Indus Valley period were primarily located in the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent, particularly in present-day Pakistan and northwestern India. Tamil Nadu's significant urban and cultural developments occurred in later historical periods.

Two Harappan sites found on the Indian border are Lothal and Kalibangan. Lothal is located in Gujarat in western India and was an important port city of the Indus civilization. Kalibangan is situated in Rajasthan in northwestern India. Both sites have provided valuable archaeological evidence about the Indus Valley Civilization, including artifacts, structures, and information about the daily life and trade practices of the Indus people.

Yes, we can say that the Indus cities were cities of children in the sense that a large proportion of the population appears to have been children based on skeletal remains found at archaeological sites. This suggests that the Indus civilization had a young population, which is typical of societies with high birth rates. The presence of many children's toys, games, and small-sized objects found in excavations also indicates that children were an important part of Indus society and had their own recreational activities and play culture.

The odd one is Lahore. Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Lothal, and Kalibangan are all major archaeological sites of the Indus Valley Civilization where significant excavations have been conducted and important artifacts have been discovered. Lahore, while being an ancient city in the region, is not primarily known as an Indus Valley Civilization site in the same way as the other four cities. Lahore gained prominence in later historical periods and is not associated with major Indus civilization excavations.

People settled near rivers because rivers provided multiple essential resources and advantages for survival and development. The soil near rivers is fertile due to regular flooding and deposition of nutrient-rich silt, making it ideal for agriculture and crop cultivation. Rivers provided freshwater for drinking, watering livestock, and irrigation of fields during dry seasons. Rivers also facilitated easy movement of people and goods through water transport, enabling trade and communication between settlements. Additionally, rivers supported fish and other aquatic resources that supplemented the diet of river valley communities.