8th Standard, Social History Chapter 3
ANCIENT INDIAN CIVILIZATIONS: SINDHU-SARASWATI CIVILIZATION AND VEDIC CIVILIZATION
EXERCISES
I. Fill in the blanks with suitable words:
- The script on the seals of Sindhu – Saraswati Civilization is called ‘Picture Script’.
- The important center of sea trade during Sindhu – Saraswati Civilization was Lothal.
- The place which had the best practice of Rain water management during this civilization Dholavira.
II Answer the following questions in brief: - How were the baths constructed during Sindhu – Saraswati civilization?
Answer: The baths of the Sindhu Saraswati (Indus Valley) civilization, particularly the Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro, were constructed with sophisticated techniques to ensure water tightness. A ground-level tank can be seen constructed in town Mohenjo-Daro. The experts have identified it as an open bath built with bricks and precautions were taken to ensure the structure was leak-proof. Stairs are located at two sides of the tank which has rooms built all around. Perhaps, the water to this tank was supplied from a nearby well, and the water was drained out after usage. Prominent people of the town would be bathing in this bath, it is presumed. - How was the township construction done in Sindhu-Sarasvati civilization?
Answer: Two or more divisions can be seen in Harappan towns. The western parts are called fort. The eastern parts are called villages. In town Mohenjo-Daro, an open bath built with bricks and precautions were taken to ensure the structure was leak-proof. Fire places are found in the towns of Kalibangan and Lothal. Well-arranged grainaries can be seen in Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro and Lothal. They were built well planned houses, roads and drains. The houses were built with bricks and walls were strong. The doors faced the street; none of the windows were street-facing, though. Every household having its own bath. Such information shows that the population led a prosperous life.
In Sindhu-Sarasvati civilization Towns had internal drainage system, the drains of which were built with bricks and covered with stone slabs. The drains of houses were connected to the external drains. Cover slabs had holes to enable regular maintenance. Such well-equipped town construction is not seen in Egypt, Mesopotamia and other civilizations. Even in terms of physical expanse, the Sindhu-Sarasvati civilization was more advanced and bigger than the contemporary ones. - List out the traces found to know about the cultural details of Sindhu – Saraswati Civilization.
Answer: The traces found to know about the cultural details of Sindhu – Saraswati Civilization are as follows.
a) Public bath at Mohenjo-Daro
b) Swastik Sun Seal
c) Sindhu Script
d) Torso of a man
e) metal and precious stones
f) Beads and seals
g) Pots with various designs
h) Bangles made of metals
i) shell material are found in abundance along with female figurines
j) Seals of Pashupathi, Bull and Unicorn
k) Shivling found at Kalibangan
l) Female figurines in dancing posture,
m) drum and string instrument sculptures,
n) several varieties of masks
o) Fire altar at Banavaali
p) Mother Goddess Teracota Idol - Explain the economic condition during Sindhu – Saraswati Civilization.
Answer: The Sindhu-Saraswati civilization had a thriving agricultural economy supplemented by trade and craftsmanship. They cultivated crops like wheat, barley, and cotton, and domesticated animals such as cows, buffalo, and sheep. Their well-planned cities, like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, suggest organized trade and a system of weights and measures. They were also skilled in crafts like pottery, metalwork, and jewelry making, contributing to a diverse and prosperous economy. The fertile lands along the Indus and Saraswati rivers supported a variety of crops. Domestication of animals like cows, buffalo, sheep, and goats provided resources and contributed to trade. - Analyse the social, political, religious and economic system of Pre-Vedic and Post Vedic period.
Pre Vedic Period: Purushasukta that appears in the tenth mandala of RigVeda refers the varna system in society. There were four varnas – existed in the society. They were Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vyshyas and Shudras. The varnas were decided on the basis of profession, not by birth. Women had equal status in the society. King was termed as ‘Rajan’. The king was assisted by Sabha, Samiti and Vidata. Widow marraige was in practice. The main occupation was animal husbandry and farming.
Post Vedic Period : A persons cast was determined by birth. The caste system became more complex. Women did not have equal status in the society. During this period they used to do Yajnas and Yagas. ‘Vidat’ was disappeared. Widow marriage system was banned. Dowry system, Parda system, and Child marriage came into existence. Agriculture became the main occupation rather than hunting and animal husbandry.
III. Activities. - Locate the important sites of Sindhu – Saraswati Civilization in the World Map.
Answer: - Collect more information about Vedic Culture.
Answer: The Vedic culture, also known as the Vedic civilization, was a period in ancient India (roughly 1500-600 BCE) characterized by the composition of the Vedas, a collection of sacred texts foundational to Hinduism. It’s a significant era in Indian history, marking the transition from a semi-nomadic lifestyle to settled agriculture and the development of social, political, and religious structures. Vedas are the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, considered to be revealed knowledge. The four Vedas (Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda) are collections of hymns, prayers, rituals, and philosophical insights. The Vedic society was initially tribal, with a patriarchal and patrilineal structure. Over time, the society became more stratified, with the emergence of the four Varnas (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra). The Vedic society was initially tribal, with a patriarchal and patrilineal structure. Over time, the society became more stratified, with the emergence of the four Varnas (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra). The Vedic period saw a shift from pastoralism to settled agriculture, particularly in the fertile Gangetic plains. This period also saw the beginning of the Iron Age. Initially centered in the Punjab region, Vedic culture gradually expanded eastward into the fertile Gangetic plains.
