Q1. Choose the correct option.
- Clothes made of _____ fabrics were commonly used by the Indus people
(i)Cotton (ii) linen (iii) silk (iv) jute
Answer. (i) Cotton
- _______ was situated on kadir Beyt, an island in the Rann of Kuch in Gujrat
(i)Lothal (ii) Alamgirpur (iii) Banawali (iv)Dholavira
Answer. (iv)Dholavira
(c) ________ means the worship of animals , trees, and stones , believed to possess a spriti or soul .
(i) Tribal rituals (ii) Agnosticism (iii) Animism (iv) Atheism.
Answer. Animism
(d) Which of the following is the main source of information about the Indus Valley Civilisation?
(i) Literary sources (ii) Travelogues (iii) Archaeological findings (iv) Both literary and archaeological findings
Answer. Archaeological findings
(e) The Indus Valley people had trade links with _____
(i) Greece (ii) China (iii)Mesopotamia (iv)Egypt
Answer. Mesopotamia
Q2. Fill in the blanks.
- _______ was the staple food of the Indus people.
Answer. Wheat and barley
- In 1922, R.D. Banerjee discovered ____ or ‘ Mound of the Dead’
Answer. Mohenjo-Daro
- ________ enclosed by dams, were used for strong water.
Answer. Reservoirs
- _____ was a port city traded goods with distant countries.
Answer.Lothal
- The _____ shows a figure in a ‘yogic’ posture surrounded by animals.
Answer. Pashupati Seal
Q3. Match the Columns.
| Column A | Column B |
| Lothal | (i)Rajasthan |
| (b)Citadel | (ii) Great Bath |
| (c) Lower Town | (iii) Gujarat |
| Kalibangan | (iv) larger residential area |
| Column A | Column B |
| Lothal | (iii) Gujarat |
| (b)Citadel | (ii) Great Bath |
| (c) Lower Town | (iv) larger residential area |
| Kalibangan | (i) Rajasthan |
Q4. Write True or False
a) The Indus Valley Civilisation flourished during the Bronze Age. – True
b) Hunting and gathering were the main occupations of the Harappans. – False
c) Lothal was the first Harappan site to be discovered. – False
d) The Indus script is yet to be deciphered. – True
e) Archaeological excavations are the main sources of information on the Indus Valley Civilisation. – True
Q5. Short Answer Questions
(a) Define civilisation.
Answer. A civilisation is an advanced society with cities, government, culture, writing, and social order.
(b) Why is the Indus Valley Civilisation also known as the Harappan Civilisation?
Answer. It is called Harappan Civilisation because Harappa was the first site discovered.
(c) State any four features of a civilisation.
Answer. Planned cities, drainage system, organised society, and use of script.
(d) Why is the age of river valley civilisations also known as the Bronze Age?
Answer. Because people used bronze tools, weapons, and ornaments widely.
(e) What was the importance of seals in the Harappan Civilisation?
Answer. Seals were used in trade, for identification, and as a mark of ownership.
Q6. Long Answer Questions
(a). Write a brief note on The Great Bath
Answer. The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro is a large rectangular tank made of baked bricks and coated with bitumen to prevent leakage. It had steps on both sides and an advanced drainage system. Small rooms nearby may have been used as changing rooms. Historians believe it was used for ritual bathing and religious ceremonies, showing the importance of water in Harappan culture. It reflects the advanced engineering and organised community life of the Indus people.
(b). Discuss Trade in the Indus Valley Civilisation
Answer. Trade was vital for the Indus Valley Civilisation. The Harappans traded cotton, beads, ornaments, and pottery with regions like Mesopotamia, and imported metals such as copper and tin. The dockyard at Lothal proves overseas trade. Seals were used for identifying goods and traders. Within the civilisation, bullock carts and boats carried goods. Standard weights and measures ensured fair trade. Trade brought prosperity and cultural exchange, making the Indus people advanced and wealthy.
(c). Write about Pottery of the Indus Valley Civilisation
Answer. Pottery was a skilled craft of the Harappans. Most pottery was wheel-made, red or brown in colour, and decorated with black geometric designs, birds, or animals. It was used for storing grains, water, and daily needs. Large jars and delicate cups show variety. Painted pottery and terracotta toys reflect artistic skills. Some pottery was also used for rituals. This shows that pottery was both useful and decorative, proving the Harappans were skilled craftsmen with a sense of beauty.
(d). Describe the dress and Ornaments worn by the Indus People
Answer. Indus people wore simple clothes. Men used dhoti-like garments, and women wore skirts or saree-like drapes, with cotton as the main fabric and wool in colder areas. Ornaments were popular with both men and women. Jewelry included necklaces, bangles, earrings, and anklets. Rich people used gold and silver, while commoners used beads, shells, and terracotta. Bead-making was highly skilled, and children also wore ornaments. This shows fashion sense, prosperity, and social differences in Harappan society.
(e). What are the possible reasons for the Decline of the Indus Valley Civilisation?
Answer. The decline of the Indus Valley was due to multiple reasons. Natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, or changes in river courses, especially drying of the Saraswati, reduced resources. Environmental issues such as deforestation and soil exhaustion harmed farming. Invasions, epidemics, or internal unrest may have weakened cities. Decline in trade and urban systems also added to the fall. It was most likely a combination of natural and human factors that ended this great civilisation.
Q7. Give reasons.
- Ancient Civilisations thrived near the banks.
Answer. Ancient civilisations developed near rivers because rivers provided water, fertile soil, and food. Floods left rich silt for farming, which supported large populations. Rivers also offered fish, drinking water, and transport routes, making trade and communication easier. Examples include the Indus, Mesopotamian, and Egyptian civilisations.
(b) Seals are the most distinct relic of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
Answer. Seals made of steatite were used for trade and ownership. They carried inscriptions in the Indus script and carvings of animals like bulls, elephants, and unicorns. They show artistic skill, trade practices, and religious beliefs. Because they provide key information, seals are the most distinct relics of the Harappans.