NCERT Solutions class 6 Social-Science Chapter 6. The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation NCERT Questions With Answers

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NCERT Solutions – Questions, Activities and Projects

Q1. Why does the civilisation studied in this chapter have several names? Discuss their significance.
Answer: This civilisation is known as the Harappan Civilisation, Indus Valley Civilisation, and Indus–Sarasvatī Civilisation. It is called Harappan because Harappa was the first excavated site. It is called Indus Valley because many settlements were found along the Indus River. The name Indus–Sarasvatī reflects the importance of both the Indus and the now-dried Sarasvatī river system. Each name highlights an important geographical or cultural aspect.

Q2. Write a brief report (150–200 words) summing up some of the achievements of the Indus–Sarasvatī civilisation.
Answer: The Indus–Sarasvatī civilisation made remarkable achievements in town planning, architecture and technology. The cities were well planned with straight streets, drainage systems, wells, bathing areas and houses built of baked bricks. The Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro shows advanced public architecture. Dholavira’s water reservoirs and stone constructions reflect engineering skills. Harappans produced beautiful pottery, beads, ornaments and seals, showing artistic talent and specialised crafts. They grew wheat, barley, rice and cotton—India was probably the first region to grow cotton. Trade with Mesopotamia, Oman and Iran shows a developed economic network. Weights and measures were standardised. The large number of wells and drainage systems reflect a strong civic sense. These achievements show that the Harappans lived a highly organised and prosperous urban life.

Q3. Imagine you have to travel from the city of Harappa to Kalibangan. What are your different options? Can you make a rough estimation of the amount of time each option might take?
Answer: Travel options may include walking, travelling by bullock cart, or using boats along rivers. Walking the distance (around 600–700 km) could take about 40–50 days. Using a bullock cart might take 20–30 days. Travelling partly by riverboat could reduce the journey to around 15–20 days. The actual time would depend on weather, food availability and terrain.

Q4. Let us imagine a Harappan man or woman being transported to an average kitchen in today’s India. What are the four or five biggest surprises awaiting them?
Answer: They would be surprised by modern appliances such as gas stoves, mixers, refrigerators, and steel utensils. Packaged food, instant cooking ingredients, and electricity-based devices would amaze them. The variety of vegetables, spices and ready-made items would also be very new for a Harappan person.

Q5. Looking at all the pictures in this chapter, make a list of the ornaments / gestures / objects that still feel familiar in our 21st century.
Answer: Familiar items include bangles, necklaces, beads, combs, pottery designs, hair-buns, armlets, and decorative motifs on utensils. Some postures and gestures seen in sculptures, such as dancing or sitting positions, also look similar today.

Q6. What mindset does the system of reservoirs at Dholavira reflect?
Answer: The reservoirs reflect careful planning, long-term thinking and strong civic responsibility. It shows that the Harappans valued water conservation, understood seasonal changes and built structures to ensure sustainable living in a dry region.

Q7. In Mohenjo-daro, about 700 wells built with bricks have been counted. They seem to have been regularly maintained and used for several centuries. Discuss the implications.
Answer: The large number of wells shows a reliable water supply system. It indicates that every household could access clean water. Regular maintenance over centuries shows civic cooperation, engineering knowledge and a stable, organised community. It also suggests that Mohenjo-daro had a large population depending on these wells.

Q8. It is often said that the Harappans had a high civic sense. Discuss the significance of this statement. Do you agree with it? Compare with citizens in a large city of India today.
Answer: The Harappans showed high civic sense through their well-planned streets, drainage systems, clean water management, and uniform brick sizes. Their cities required cooperation and discipline. Compared to today’s large Indian cities, where drains overflow and waste management issues exist, Harappan civic planning appears more organised. Yes, the statement is significant as it shows that ancient people valued cleanliness, order and community welfare.