CBSE Class 6 Social Science History: NCERT Solutions for In the Earliest Cities

Solution: Archaeologists have found direct evidence of cloth usage from the Harappan civilization. In Mohenjodaro, small pieces of cloth were discovered still attached to the lid of a silver vase and also found with some copper objects. Additionally, the discovery of spindle whorls, which are small objects used to spin thread from fibers, further supports the conclusion that cloth was manufactured and used during that period.

Solution: Let's match the materials and places based on common archaeological findings related to the Harappan civilization:

Copper was found in Rajasthan.

Gold was found in Karnataka.

Tin, often alloyed with copper to make bronze, was likely sourced from regions like Afghanistan.

Precious stones, such as lapis lazuli, were found in regions like Afghanistan, and carnelian from Gujarat.

Therefore, the matching is:

• Copper - Rajasthan
• Gold - Karnataka
• Tin - Afghanistan
• Precious stones - Gujarat, Afghanistan

Solution: These innovations were crucial for the development and functioning of the Harappan civilization:

• Metals: The Harappans used metals like copper and bronze extensively. These were fashioned into essential tools for farming and crafts, weapons for defense, and beautiful ornaments and vessels for daily use. Gold and silver were also used for creating valuable ornaments and fine vessels.
• Writing: Although the Harappan script is yet to be fully deciphered, its existence indicates a system of communication and record-keeping. Writing was vital for administration, trade, and possibly for religious or cultural purposes, facilitating a more organized society.
• The Wheel: The invention of the wheel revolutionized transportation and craft. It was used in carts, enabling the movement of goods and people more efficiently. It was also fundamental to pottery making, allowing for the creation of symmetrical and varied ceramic vessels.
• The Plough: The plough was a critical agricultural tool. Its use allowed farmers to dig the earth more effectively, turn the soil for better cultivation, and prepare the land for planting seeds, leading to increased food production necessary to support urban populations.

Solution: The terracotta toys mentioned or depicted in the lesson include:

• Toy Carts
• Toy Plough
• Various animal figures (implied by 'Terracotta Toys' image caption)

It is likely that children would have enjoyed playing with the toy carts the most. Toy carts represent a form of transportation and movement, which are often more engaging for children's imaginative play compared to a tool like a plough, which is associated with work.

Solution: The Harappans ate a variety of food items. Based on archaeological findings, their diet included:

• Wheat
• Barley
• Pulses
• Peas
• Rice
• Sesame
• Linseed
• Mustard
• Fruits

To complete the second part of the question, you should compare this list with the food items you consume daily and place a tick mark against those that are common to both lists.

Solution: Yes, the life of farmers and herders who supplied food to the Harappan cities was likely different from those described in Chapter 3, due to several advancements and changes:

• Tools: Harappan farmers and herders utilized more sophisticated tools, notably the wooden plough, which was used for turning the soil and planting seeds efficiently. Earlier farmers and herders, as discussed in Chapter 3, primarily used simpler tools like mortars and pestles for grinding grain, and their tools were often made of bone.
• Irrigation: Harappan farmers likely practiced irrigation to ensure better crop yields, especially in areas that might not have received consistent rainfall. This contrasts with the earlier farmers who may not have had access to or developed such systematic irrigation methods.
• Storage: The Harappan civilization featured organized storage systems. Farmers stored surplus food in well-built granaries within or near cities, indicating a more structured approach to food management compared to the earlier period where storage might have been in simpler forms like clay pots or baskets.
• Settlement: Harappan farmers often lived on the outskirts of the well-established cities, benefiting from proximity to urban markets and protection. In contrast, the farmers and herders from Chapter 3 lived in a time before the development of large, settled cities, suggesting a more dispersed and less urban-centric lifestyle.

These differences highlight the progression in agricultural technology, societal organization, and settlement patterns between the two periods.