NCERT Class 7 Social Science Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-I: Chapter 4 — New Beginnings: Cities and States
Chapter 1 of NCERT's Class 7 Social Science book, 'Exploring Society: India and Beyond Part-I', titled 'New Beginnings: Cities and States', delves into the transition from the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization to the rise of new urban centers. It recalls the 'First Urbanisation' of the Harappan civilization, which disintegrated around the early 2nd millennium BCE, leading to the abandonment of cities and a reversion to rural lifestyles. The chapter highlights the disappearance of urban components like elaborate structures, specialized occupations, writing systems, and administrative structures. It sets the stage for understanding the subsequent 'Second Urbanisation' and the emergence of janapadas and mahajanapadas, crucial developments in India's early history, and the governance systems they evolved. The fertile Gangetic plains played a significant role in their growth.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 7 |
| Subject | Social Science |
| Book | Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-I |
| Chapter | Chapter 4 — New Beginnings: Cities and States |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 346 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the reasons for the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization.
- Identify the key characteristics of urban life that disappeared after the Harappan civilization.
- Recognize the significance of the 'Second Urbanisation' in India's early history.
- Learn about the emergence of janapadas and mahajanapadas.
- Understand the importance of geography, like the Gangetic plains, in the development of early states.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Urbanisation | The process by which towns and cities are formed and become larger as more people begin living and working in central areas. |
| Civilisation | The stage of human social and cultural development and organisation that is considered most advanced. |
| Disintegrated | Broke up into small parts, typically in a disorderly way. |
| Specialised occupations | Jobs that require specific skills and training. |
| Administration | The management of public affairs. |
| Janapadas | Territories or settlements inhabited by a tribe or group. |
| Mahajanapadas | Large kingdoms or republics that emerged in ancient India. |
| Governance | The action or manner of governing. |
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Practice questions
- What is referred to as India's 'First Urbanisation'? Answer: The Indus/Harappan/Sindhu-Sarasvatī civilisation is referred to as India's 'First Urbanisation'.
- What happened to the cities of the Harappan civilisation? Answer: Some cities were abandoned, and in others, people reverted to a rural or village lifestyle.
- Name some components of the Harappan urban order that disappeared. Answer: Elaborate structures, crowded streets, busy markets, specialised occupations, a writing system, a sanitation system, and an administration.
- What helped the mahajanapadas to grow and prosper? Answer: The fertile Gangetic plains helped the mahajanapadas to grow and prosper.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 'First Urbanisation' of India?
The 'First Urbanisation' of India refers to the Indus/Harappan/Sindhu-Sarasvatī civilisation that existed in the early 2nd millennium BCE.
What led to the decline of the Harappan civilisation?
The text states that the civilisation disintegrated, leading to the abandonment of cities and a reversion to rural lifestyles, with the disappearance of its urban components.
What were janapadas and mahajanapadas?
Janapadas were early settlements or territories, and mahajanapadas were larger kingdoms or republics that developed later in India's early history.
What kind of governance did janapadas and mahajanapadas evolve?
The chapter poses this as a question for students to explore, indicating that they evolved systems of governance.
What role did the Gangetic plains play?
The fertile Gangetic plains were crucial in helping the mahajanapadas to grow and prosper.
What is mentioned about the period after the Harappan civilisation?
For about a millennium after the Harappan civilisation, urban life was largely absent from India, though a few towns might have existed in north India.
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NCERT Class 7 Social Science — Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-I — Chapter 4 — New Beginnings: Cities and States. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.