The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation

A. The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation C+$3T(5৵ The most ancient civilisation of India, known variously as the Harappan, Indus or Indus-Sarasvatī Civilisation, was indeed remarkable in many ways.... [It showed how] a well-balanced community lives — in which the differences between the rich and the poor are not glaring....

D. In essence, the Harappan societal scenario was not that of ‘exploitation’, but of mutual ‘accommodation’. — B.B.

C. Metallurgy: Includes the techniques of extracting metals from nature, purifying or combining them, as well as the scientific study of metals and their properties.

B. It is easy enough to see that all these characteristics are present in most societies in the world today.

A. Civilisation began at different times in different parts of the world.

D. In the region known as Mesopotamia (modern Iraq and Syria), that happened about 6,000 years ago, and the civilisation in ancient Egypt followed a few centuries later.

C. You will learn about these and a few more civilisations in a later grade.

B. In many ways, humanity would not have reached its present stage without the enormous contributions and advances of those ancient civilisations.

A. For now, however, we will only look at the Indian Subcontinent, and its northwest region is where our story begins.

D. Timeline showing the period of the Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation, from about 2600 to 1900 BCE.

C. For instance, the Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganga.

B. Map of some of the main settlements of the Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation.

A. Notice the natural boundaries formed by the mountain ranges (in brown colour).

D. Elite: Here, the word refers to the higher layers of the society, such as rulers, officials, administrators, and often priests.

C. Housing area in Dholavira, with perpendicular streets, in the middle town (Dholavira had three distinct zones, not two as in other cities).

B. A gamesboard engraved on a stone, about 25 cm in length (from Dholavira); a terracotta whistle, about 4 cm in length (from Karanpura in Rajasthan).

A. Harappans designed many games and toys to keep both adults and children amused!

D. Indeed, the Harappans do not seem to have kept any army or weapons of war; as far as the evidence goes, it seems to have been arelatively peaceful civilisation.

C. Twofactors are currently agreed upon.

B. First, a climatic change which affected mXch of the world from  %C( onward, causing reduced rainfall and a drier phase.

A. This cXlt and coXld have redXced food sXppl\ to the cities 6econd, the 6arasvatí River dried up in its central basin; suddenly, cities there, sXch as.alibangan or %anawali were abandoned 7here could have been other factors, but these two remind us of how much we depend on climate and the environment for our well-being.

D. Although the cities disappeared, much of the Harappan culture and technology survived and was passed on to the next phase of Indian civilisation, which we will explore in a future chapter.

C. Before we move on... Æ 7he, ndXs, +arappan or 6indhX6arasvatí civilisation is one of the oldest of the world.

B. They seem to have been regularly maintained and used for several centuries.

A. Compare with citi]ens in a large cit\ of, ndia today.

D. The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation C+$3T(5৵ The most ancient civilisation of India, known variously as the Harappan, Indus or Indus-Sarasvatī Civilisation, was indeed remarkable in many ways....

C. known as Mesopotamia (modern Iraq and Syria), that happened about 6,000 years ago, and the civilisation in ancient Egypt followed a few centuries later. You will learn about these and a few more civilisations in a later grade.

B. these and a few more civilisations in a later grade. In many ways, humanity would not have reached its present stage without the enormous contributions and advances of those ancient civilisations.

A. Xse all these terms, ts inhabitants are called ȅ+arappansȆ, t is one of the oldest civilisations in the world Tributary: A river that flows into a larger river (or lake). For instance, the Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganga.

D. wh\ the term ȅ9alle\Ȇ is obsolete, as we now Nnow that the civilisation e[tended mXch be\ond the, ndXs region Fortification: A massive wall surrounding a settlement or city, generally for protective purposes.

C. the middle town (Dholavira had three distinct zones, not two as in other cities). Also, in this city, the foundations of most buildings were made with stones.

B. the story of the thirsty crow, whofinds a clever way to drink water at the bottom of the pot (from Lothal).

A. bacN, it was thoXght that warfare or invasions may have destroyed the cities, but there is no trace of warfare or invasion.

D. to have kept any army or weapons of war; as far as the evidence goes, it seems to have been arelatively peaceful civilisation. Twofactors are currently agreed upon.

C. agreed upon. First, a climatic change which affected mXch of the world from  %C( onward, causing reduced rainfall and a drier phase.

B. been other factors, but these two remind us of how much we depend on climate and the environment for our well-being.

A. Harappan culture and technology survived and was passed on to the next phase of Indian civilisation, which we will explore in a future chapter. Before we move on...

D. Æ 7he, ndXs, +arappan or 6indhX6arasvatí civilisation is one of the oldest of the world. Its inhabitants, the cient water management, diverse crafts and a brisk trade. Æ A productive agriculture brought a variety of crops to the cities.

C. A productive agriculture brought a variety of crops to the cities. Æ The civilisation eventually declined, probably because of climatic and environmental changes; people returned to a rural lifestyle.

B. The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation C+$3T(5৵ The most ancient civilisation of India, known variously as the Harappan, Indus or Indus-Sarasvatī Civilisation, was indeed remarkable in many ways.... [It showed how] a well-balanced community lives — in which the differences between the rich and the poor are not glaring....

A. In essence, the Harappan societal scenario was not that of ‘exploitation’, but of mutual ‘accommodation’. — B.B.

D. Metallurgy: Includes the techniques of extracting metals from nature, purifying or combining them, as well as the scientific study of metals and their properties.

C. It is easy enough to see that all these characteristics are present in most societies in the world today.

B. Civilisation began at different times in different parts of the world.

A. In the region known as Mesopotamia (modern Iraq and Syria), that happened about 6,000 years ago, and the civilisation in ancient Egypt followed a few centuries later.

D. You will learn about these and a few more civilisations in a later grade.

C. In many ways, humanity would not have reached its present stage without the enormous contributions and advances of those ancient civilisations.

B. For now, however, we will only look at the Indian Subcontinent, and its northwest region is where our story begins.

A. Timeline showing the period of the Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation, from about 2600 to 1900 BCE.

D. For instance, the Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganga.

Map of some of the main settlements of the Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation. Notice the natural boundaries formed by the mountain ranges (in brown colour).

Notice the natural boundaries formed by the mountain ranges (in brown colour). Elite: Here, the word refers to the higher layers of the society, such as rulers, officials, administrators, and often priests.

Elite: Here, the word refers to the higher layers of the society, such as rulers, officials, administrators, and often priests. Housing area in Dholavira, with perpendicular streets, in the middle town (Dholavira had three distinct zones, not two as in other cities).

Housing area in Dholavira, with perpendicular streets, in the middle town (Dholavira had three distinct zones, not two as in other cities). A gamesboard engraved on a stone, about 25 cm in length (from Dholavira); a terracotta whistle, about 4 cm in length (from Karanpura in Rajasthan).

A gamesboard engraved on a stone, about 25 cm in length (from Dholavira); a terracotta whistle, about 4 cm in length (from Karanpura in Rajasthan). Harappans designed many games and toys to keep both adults and children amused!

Harappans designed many games and toys to keep both adults and children amused! Indeed, the Harappans do not seem to have kept any army or weapons of war; as far as the evidence goes, it seems to have been arelatively peaceful civilisation.

Indeed, the Harappans do not seem to have kept any army or weapons of war; as far as the evidence goes, it seems to have been arelatively peaceful civilisation. Twofactors are currently agreed upon.

Twofactors are currently agreed upon. First, a climatic change which affected mXch of the world from  %C( onward, causing reduced rainfall and a drier phase.

First, a climatic change which affected mXch of the world from  %C( onward, causing reduced rainfall and a drier phase. This cXlt and coXld have redXced food sXppl\ to the cities 6econd, the 6arasvatí River dried up in its central basin; suddenly, cities there, sXch as.alibangan or %anawali were abandoned 7here could have been other factors, but these two remind us of how much we depend on climate and the environment for our well-being.

This cXlt and coXld have redXced food sXppl\ to the cities 6econd, the 6arasvatí River dried up in its central basin; suddenly, cities there, sXch as.alibangan or %anawali were abandoned 7here could have been other factors, but these two remind us of how much we depend on climate and the environment for our well-being. Although the cities disappeared, much of the Harappan culture and technology survived and was passed on to the next phase of Indian civilisation, which we will explore in a future chapter.

Although the cities disappeared, much of the Harappan culture and technology survived and was passed on to the next phase of Indian civilisation, which we will explore in a future chapter. Before we move on... Æ 7he, ndXs, +arappan or 6indhX6arasvatí civilisation is one of the oldest of the world.

Before we move on... Æ 7he, ndXs, +arappan or 6indhX6arasvatí civilisation is one of the oldest of the world. They seem to have been regularly maintained and used for several centuries.

They seem to have been regularly maintained and used for several centuries. Compare with citi]ens in a large cit\ of, ndia today.

Compare with citi]ens in a large cit\ of, ndia today. The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation C+$3T(5৵ The most ancient civilisation of India, known variously as the Harappan, Indus or Indus-Sarasvatī Civilisation, was indeed remarkable in many ways....

The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation C+$3T(5৵ The most ancient civilisation of India, known variously as the Harappan, Indus or Indus-Sarasvatī Civilisation, was indeed remarkable in many ways.... known as Mesopotamia (modern Iraq and Syria), that happened about 6,000 years ago, and the civilisation in ancient Egypt followed a few centuries later. You will learn about these and a few more civilisations in a later grade.

known as Mesopotamia (modern Iraq and Syria), that happened about 6,000 years ago, and the civilisation in ancient Egypt followed a few centuries later. You will learn about these and a few more civilisations in a later grade. these and a few more civilisations in a later grade. In many ways, humanity would not have reached its present stage without the enormous contributions and advances of those ancient civilisations. Xse all these terms, ts inhabitants are called ȅ+arappansȆ, t is one of the oldest civilisations in the world Tributary: A river that flows into a larger river (or lake). For instance, the Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganga.

Xse all these terms, ts inhabitants are called ȅ+arappansȆ, t is one of the oldest civilisations in the world Tributary: A river that flows into a larger river (or lake). For instance, the Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganga. wh\ the term ȅ9alle\Ȇ is obsolete, as we now Nnow that the civilisation e[tended mXch be\ond the, ndXs region Fortification: A massive wall surrounding a settlement or city, generally for protective purposes. the middle town (Dholavira had three distinct zones, not two as in other cities). Also, in this city, the foundations of most buildings were made with stones.

the middle town (Dholavira had three distinct zones, not two as in other cities). Also, in this city, the foundations of most buildings were made with stones. the story of the thirsty crow, whofinds a clever way to drink water at the bottom of the pot (from Lothal). bacN, it was thoXght that warfare or invasions may have destroyed the cities, but there is no trace of warfare or invasion.

bacN, it was thoXght that warfare or invasions may have destroyed the cities, but there is no trace of warfare or invasion. to have kept any army or weapons of war; as far as the evidence goes, it seems to have been arelatively peaceful civilisation. Twofactors are currently agreed upon. agreed upon. First, a climatic change which affected mXch of the world from  %C( onward, causing reduced rainfall and a drier phase.

agreed upon. First, a climatic change which affected mXch of the world from  %C( onward, causing reduced rainfall and a drier phase. been other factors, but these two remind us of how much we depend on climate and the environment for our well-being. Harappan culture and technology survived and was passed on to the next phase of Indian civilisation, which we will explore in a future chapter. Before we move on...

Harappan culture and technology survived and was passed on to the next phase of Indian civilisation, which we will explore in a future chapter. Before we move on... Æ 7he, ndXs, +arappan or 6indhX6arasvatí civilisation is one of the oldest of the world. Its inhabitants, the cient water management, diverse crafts and a brisk trade. Æ A productive agriculture brought a variety of crops to the cities. A productive agriculture brought a variety of crops to the cities. Æ The civilisation eventually declined, probably because of climatic and environmental changes; people returned to a rural lifestyle.

A productive agriculture brought a variety of crops to the cities. Æ The civilisation eventually declined, probably because of climatic and environmental changes; people returned to a rural lifestyle. The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation C+$3T(5৵ The most ancient civilisation of India, known variously as the Harappan, Indus or Indus-Sarasvatī Civilisation, was indeed remarkable in many ways.... [It showed how] a well-balanced community lives — in which the differences between the rich and the poor are not glaring.... In essence, the Harappan societal scenario was not that of ‘exploitation’, but of mutual ‘accommodation’. — B.B.

In essence, the Harappan societal scenario was not that of ‘exploitation’, but of mutual ‘accommodation’. — B.B. Metallurgy: Includes the techniques of extracting metals from nature, purifying or combining them, as well as the scientific study of metals and their properties. It is easy enough to see that all these characteristics are present in most societies in the world today.

It is easy enough to see that all these characteristics are present in most societies in the world today. Civilisation began at different times in different parts of the world. In the region known as Mesopotamia (modern Iraq and Syria), that happened about 6,000 years ago, and the civilisation in ancient Egypt followed a few centuries later.

In the region known as Mesopotamia (modern Iraq and Syria), that happened about 6,000 years ago, and the civilisation in ancient Egypt followed a few centuries later. You will learn about these and a few more civilisations in a later grade. In many ways, humanity would not have reached its present stage without the enormous contributions and advances of those ancient civilisations.

In many ways, humanity would not have reached its present stage without the enormous contributions and advances of those ancient civilisations. For now, however, we will only look at the Indian Subcontinent, and its northwest region is where our story begins. Timeline showing the period of the Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation, from about 2600 to 1900 BCE. For instance, the Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganga. Map of some of the main settlements of the Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation.

Map of some of the main settlements of the Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation. Notice the natural boundaries formed by the mountain ranges (in brown colour). Elite: Here, the word refers to the higher layers of the society, such as rulers, officials, administrators, and often priests. Housing area in Dholavira, with perpendicular streets, in the middle town (Dholavira had three distinct zones, not two as in other cities). A gamesboard engraved on a stone, about 25 cm in length (from Dholavira); a terracotta whistle, about 4 cm in length (from Karanpura in Rajasthan).

A gamesboard engraved on a stone, about 25 cm in length (from Dholavira); a terracotta whistle, about 4 cm in length (from Karanpura in Rajasthan). Harappans designed many games and toys to keep both adults and children amused! Indeed, the Harappans do not seem to have kept any army or weapons of war; as far as the evidence goes, it seems to have been arelatively peaceful civilisation. Twofactors are currently agreed upon. First, a climatic change which affected mXch of the world from  %C( onward, causing reduced rainfall and a drier phase.

First, a climatic change which affected mXch of the world from  %C( onward, causing reduced rainfall and a drier phase. This cXlt and coXld have redXced food sXppl\ to the cities 6econd, the 6arasvatí River dried up in its central basin; suddenly, cities there, sXch as.alibangan or %anawali were abandoned 7here could have been other factors, but these two remind us of how much we depend on climate and the environment for our well-being. Although the cities disappeared, much of the Harappan culture and technology survived and was passed on to the next phase of Indian civilisation, which we will explore in a future chapter. Before we move on... Æ 7he, ndXs, +arappan or 6indhX6arasvatí civilisation is one of the oldest of the world. They seem to have been regularly maintained and used for several centuries.

They seem to have been regularly maintained and used for several centuries. Compare with citi]ens in a large cit\ of, ndia today. The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation C+$3T(5৵ The most ancient civilisation of India, known variously as the Harappan, Indus or Indus-Sarasvatī Civilisation, was indeed remarkable in many ways.... known as Mesopotamia (modern Iraq and Syria), that happened about 6,000 years ago, and the civilisation in ancient Egypt followed a few centuries later. You will learn about these and a few more civilisations in a later grade. these and a few more civilisations in a later grade. In many ways, humanity would not have reached its present stage without the enormous contributions and advances of those ancient civilisations.

these and a few more civilisations in a later grade. In many ways, humanity would not have reached its present stage without the enormous contributions and advances of those ancient civilisations. Xse all these terms, ts inhabitants are called ȅ+arappansȆ, t is one of the oldest civilisations in the world Tributary: A river that flows into a larger river (or lake). For instance, the Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganga. wh\ the term ȅ9alle\Ȇ is obsolete, as we now Nnow that the civilisation e[tended mXch be\ond the, ndXs region Fortification: A massive wall surrounding a settlement or city, generally for protective purposes. the middle town (Dholavira had three distinct zones, not two as in other cities). Also, in this city, the foundations of most buildings were made with stones. the story of the thirsty crow, whofinds a clever way to drink water at the bottom of the pot (from Lothal).

the story of the thirsty crow, whofinds a clever way to drink water at the bottom of the pot (from Lothal). bacN, it was thoXght that warfare or invasions may have destroyed the cities, but there is no trace of warfare or invasion. to have kept any army or weapons of war; as far as the evidence goes, it seems to have been arelatively peaceful civilisation. Twofactors are currently agreed upon. agreed upon. First, a climatic change which affected mXch of the world from  %C( onward, causing reduced rainfall and a drier phase. been other factors, but these two remind us of how much we depend on climate and the environment for our well-being.