Chapter 6 Class 6 Social Science Solutions NCERT,
The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation Chapter 6 Class 6 Social Science,
Class 6 Social Science Chapterwise Complete Solutions,
Summary of Chapter 6: The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation
This chapter explains how early human settlements slowly grew into civilisations and focuses on the rise of the Indus–SarasvatÄ« (Harappan) Civilisation, one of the world’s oldest.
What is a Civilisation?
A civilisation is an advanced human society. According to historians, a civilisation must have:
- A government or administration
- Cities with proper planning
- Crafts and industries
- Trade within and outside the region
- A writing system
- Cultural expressions like art and traditions
- Productive agriculture to feed both villages and cities
Civilisations appeared at different times around the world.
- Mesopotamia: about 6,000 years ago.
- Egyptian civilization: About 5,000 years ago
- Indus-Saraswati civilization: About 4,600 years ago
India’s first civilisation began in the northwest region.
From Village to City
The fertile plains of Punjab, Sindh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, watered by rivers like the Indus and the now-dry Sarasvatī, helped early settlements grow.
Around 3500 BCE, villages developed, and by 2600 BCE, they turned into large cities — marking India’s First Urbanisation.
This civilisation is known as:
- Indus Civilisation
- Harappan Civilisation
- Indus–SarasvatÄ« / Sindhu–SarasvatÄ« Civilisation
Some of the important Harappan cities are:
Town Planning:
Harappan cities like Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, and Lothal were built with excellent planning:
- Wide, straight streets
- Fortified areas
- Upper Town for elites and Lower Town for common people
- Brick houses of similar quality
- Large public buildings, like warehouses
- The Great Bath in Mohenjo-daro, probably used for rituals or royal bathing
This level of planning shows strong organisation and skilled architects.
Harappan city: Modern state/region
- Dholavira and Lothal: Gujarat
- Harappa and Mohenjo-daro: Pakistan
- Rakhigarhi and Banawali: Haryana
Water Management:
Harappans were experts in water control:
- Houses had bathrooms connected to covered drains
- Cities had advanced drainage systems under the streets
- Reservoirs and wells supplied drinking water
- Dholavira had massive water tanks, some cut into solid rock
- Cleanliness and hygiene were clearly important in their lifestyle.
Food and Agriculture
Harappans lived near rivers, which made farming easier. They grew:
- Wheat, barley, millets, and some rice
- Pulses and vegetables
- Cotton — they were the first in Eurasia to grow it
- They used tools like the plough and domesticated animals for food.
Scientific studies of pottery show they ate dairy, fish, meat, and even used turmeric, ginger, and banana.
Trade and Crafts
Harappans were excellent craftspeople:
- Made ornaments, especially carnelian beads
- Produced shell bangles, pottery, and tools
- Exported: ornaments, timber, cotton, ivory items
- Imported: mainly copper and other raw materials
They traded by:
- Land routes
- Rivers
- Sea — Lothal had a huge dockyard, proving they had maritime trade
Thousands of seals with animals and symbols were used to mark goods. Their script, however, is still undeciphered.
Decline of the Harappan Civilisation
- Around 1900 BCE, cities began to decline. Reasons include:
- Major climate change, leading to less rainfall and poor farming
- Drying of the Sarasvatī River, causing cities in that region to be abandoned
- There is no evidence of invasion or war.
People moved back to small villages, but many Harappan technologies and traditions continued into later Indian culture.
The Big Questions?
1. What is a civilisation?
Answer.
A civilisation is an advanced stage of human society in which people live in organised communities with features such as:
- A government or administration
- Cities with proper planning
- Different crafts and industries
- Trade within and outside the region
- A system of writing
In simple words, a civilisation is a society that has developed complex systems for living, working, ruling, and creating culture.
2. What was the earliest civilisation of the Indian Subcontinent?
Answer.
The earliest civilisation of the Indian Subcontinent was the Indus–SarasvatÄ« Civilisation, also called the:
- Harappan Civilisation
- Indus Valley Civilisation
- Sindhu–SarasvatÄ« Civilisation
It began around 2600 BCE in the northwestern region of present-day India and Pakistan.
3. What were its major achievements?
Answer.
The Indus–SarasvatÄ« or Harappan Civilisation had many remarkable achievements:
1. Advanced Town Planning
- Well-planned cities like Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, and Dholavira
- Wide, straight streets and separate residential areas
- Use of baked bricks in construction
2. Excellent Water Management
- Bathrooms in most houses
- Covered drainage systems
- Large reservoirs and wells
- Huge water tanks at Dholavira
3. Flourishing Trade and Crafts
- Long-distance trade by land and sea
- Crafted carnelian beads, shell bangles, metal tools, pottery
- A dockyard at Lothal
4. Productive Agriculture
- Grew wheat, barley, millets, rice, pulses, and cotton
- Used tools like the plough
- Domesticated animals and fish are raised for food
5. Use of Seals and a Writing System
- Thousands of seals with animal figures and script
- Used for trade and identification
6. Public Buildings and Social Organisation
- Structures like the Great Bath
- Well-organised administration for managing cities
Overall, the Harappans created one of the world’s most advanced ancient civilisations.
Questions, activities, and projects
1. Why does the civilisation studied in this chapter have several names? Discuss their significance.
Answer.
The civilisation has several names because different features and discoveries highlight different aspects of it:
1. Indus Valley Civilisation:
It was named after the Indus River, as the initial sites ( Harappan, Mohenjo-Daro, etc) of the civilization were discovered along the Indus River.
2. Harappan Civilisation:
It was named after the discovery of the first site, Harappa, in the 1920s.
3. Indus–SarasvatÄ« or Sindhu–SarasvatÄ« Civilisation
Later, hundreds of sites were discovered along the ancient Sarasvatī River. This highlights its true geographical spread. That is why it was named the Indus-Saraswati river civilization.
Significance:
The different names reflect the civilisation’s vastness, cultural richness, and the progressive discoveries made by archaeologists.
2. Write a brief report (150 to 200 words) summing up some of the achievements of the Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation.
Answer.
The Indus–SarasvatÄ« or Harappan Civilisation, which flourished around 2600–1900 BCE, was one of the world’s earliest and most advanced civilisations.
Achievements:
The following are some of the achievements of the Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation:
1. Excellent town planning:
Its towns—such as Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Dholavira, and Rakhigarhi—displayed remarkable urban planning. The cities were laid out in a grid pattern, with wide streets, well-constructed brick houses, and separate areas for the elite and common people.
2. Excellent water management:
One of their greatest achievements was their excellent water management. They built covered drainage systems, private bathrooms, numerous wells, and huge stone reservoirs, especially at Dholavira.
3. Excellent Arts and trade:
The Harappans were highly skilled craftspeople. They produced beads of carnelian, shell bangles, metal tools, pottery, and cotton textiles. Their long-distance trade extended to Mesopotamia, Oman, and Central Asia, supported by roads, rivers, and a large dockyard at Lothal. They also developed a writing system visible on seals and tablets, though it remains undeciphered.
4. Excellent Agriculture:
Their agriculture was productive and included wheat, barley, millets, pulses, and cotton.
3. 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.
The distance between the Harappa ( Sindh, Pakistan) to Kalibangam ( Rajasthan) is approximately 400 to 500 km. At that time, there would have been three or a combination of three options, mainly on foot, bullock, or boat/river.
If we travel:
On foot/boat: 20–25 km/day → 20–25 days
By bullock cart: 40–50 km/day → 10–12 days
Harappans, being good traders and travelers, may have used bullock carts and boats depending on the season.
4. 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.
The biggest surprises for a Harappan person entering a modern Indian kitchen are:
1. Gas stove and heater compared to firewood hearths.
2. Steel and non-stick utensils—very different from pottery and copper vessels.
3. A refrigerator that keeps food cold for days.
4. Electric lights, mixer-grinder, and switches, completely unfamiliar technology.
5. Packaged food items (biscuits, oil packets, spices) instead of fresh or handmade items.
5. 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.
From the pictures in the chapter, similarities include:
- Bead necklaces and bangles
- Shell bangles (still worn in parts of India)
- Combs
- Patterns on pottery similar to modern designs
- Ploughs used in farming (still similar in rural areas)
- Seals with animal motifs (animals still used symbolically)
These show cultural continuity across thousands of years.
6. What mindset does the system of reservoirs at Dholavira reflect?
Answer.
The reservoir system at Dholavira reflects:
- Advanced engineering skills
- Long-term planning
- Respect for water as a precious resource
- Understanding of seasonal rainfall
- Community cooperation
It shows that Harappans valued sustainability and had a scientific approach to managing scarce resources like water.
7. 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 following are implications for regularly maintained wells built with bricks in Mohenjo-daro:
1. Water was available inside houses, indicating comfort and convenience.
2. It reflects public health awareness and a focus on hygiene.
3. High population density requires reliable water sources.
4. The long-term use of wells shows the city’s stability over centuries.
5. The wells were regularly cleaned and maintained, proving strong local administration.
Overall, it indicates an organised civic life and excellent planning.
8. 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 in India today.
Answer.
Civic sense means the good habits, behaviour, and responsibility that every citizen should show to keep their surroundings clean, safe, and orderly.
In simple words:
Civic sense = being a responsible citizen.
Yes, the Harappans demonstrated a very high civic sense:
Examples:
- Well-planned cities with straight roads.
- Covered drainage systems are cleaned regularly
- Public and private wells
- Wastewater is directed safely away
- Standardised weights and bricks
- A peaceful society with no signs of warfare
This shows that they cared about sanitation, organisation, and community welfare.
Comparison with Indian cities today:
- Many modern cities still struggle with drainage, waste disposal, traffic, and encroachment.
- Civic sense is often missing—littering, noise pollution, and illegal construction are common.
- However, modern cities have improved technology and services, but still lack the uniform discipline visible in Harappan settlements.
Thus, the Harappans were ahead of their time in urban discipline and cleanliness.
Chapter-Wise Solutions of Class 6 Social Science
- Chapter 1 | Locating Places on Earth
- Chapter 2 | Oceans and Continents
- Chapter 3 | Landforms and Life
- Chapter 4 | Timeline and Sources of History
- Chapter 5 | India, That Is Bharat
- Chapter 6 | The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation
- Chapter 7 | India’s Cultural Roots
- Chapter 8 | Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’
- Chapter 9 | Family and Community
- Chapter 10 | Grassroots Democracy – Part 1 Governance
- Chapter 11 | Grassroots Democracy – Part 2 Local Government in Rural Areas
- Chapter 12 | Grassroots Democracy – Part 3 Local Government in Urban Areas
- Chapter 13 | The Value of Work
- Chapter 14 | Economic Activities Around Us
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