Harappan Civilization Overview
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Questions and Answers

What civilization is often referred to as Harappan Culture?

  • Civilization of Mesopotamia
  • Indus Valley Civilization (correct)
  • Shang/Chinese Civilization
  • Egyptian Civilization
  • Which of the following sites is NOT associated with the Harappan Culture?

  • Mohenjodaro
  • Knossos (correct)
  • Harappa
  • Kalibangan
  • Why was the name 'Indus Valley Civilization' reconsidered by historians?

  • Other sites were discovered far from the Indus Valley. (correct)
  • It was commonly misunderstood among scholars.
  • Most sites were only found in the Indus Valley.
  • The term was too long to use in publications.
  • Who is considered the father of Indian archaeology?

    <p>Alexander Cunningham</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which year was the site at Harappa excavated by Daya Ram Sahni?

    <p>1921</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one barrier to the discovery of the Harappan Civilization prior to 1921?

    <p>Demand for bricks from local construction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which archaeologist discovered the remains of civilization at Mohenjodaro?

    <p>Rakhal Das Banerji</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which British traveler first noted the existence of old bricks in Harappa?

    <p>Charles Merson</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is another name for the Harappan civilization?

    <p>Indus Valley Civilization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During which period did the Harappan civilization thrive?

    <p>Bronze Age</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which finding is associated with the site of Mehargarh?

    <p>Evidence of Agriculture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which site is known for evidence of tin and lead alloying?

    <p>Chandoli</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Bhimbetka is best known for which of the following findings?

    <p>Cave of Homo-sapiens</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of shelter is associated with the site of Burzahom?

    <p>Pit-dwelling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes the Vindhya rock shelters in prehistoric studies?

    <p>First discovered microliths</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of findings were identified at Ajamgarh?

    <p>Evidence of domestication of animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one of the notable features of the urban planning in Harappan civilization?

    <p>Grid system layout</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which major archaeological site is associated with the Sindh region of Harappan civilization?

    <p>Mohanjodaro</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which region was Lothal located, and what was unique about its town layout?

    <p>Gujarat; it lacked a walled citadel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspects of Harappan urban planning were uniform across different cities?

    <p>Brick size and city layout</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What function is most likely attributed to the structures found in the citadel of Harappan cities?

    <p>Administrative or ritual centers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which two parts typically composed each city in the Harappan civilization?

    <p>Acropolis and lower town</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following regions had significant archaeological sites associated with the Harappan civilization?

    <p>Haryana</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a physical characteristic of the citadel in Harappan cities?

    <p>It was constructed on platforms of mud bricks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Harappan Civilization

    • One of the four earliest civilizations of the world (along with Mesopotamia, Shang/Chinese, and Egyptian).
    • Initially called the Indus Valley Civilization due to the discovery of sites like Harappa and Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley.
    • Later renamed to Harappan Culture after discovering sites with similar characteristics outside the Indus Valley.
    • Named after the first discovered site, Harappa, in 1921.

    Discovery

    • Harappa attracted attention as early as 1826 by British traveler Charles Merson.
    • Colonel Burns observed Harappan sites in 1831 while meeting Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
    • Alexander Cunningham, the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, inspected the Harappan site in 1853 and 1857.
    • Harappan ruins were excavated in 1856 to obtain bricks for the Karachi-Lahore railway line, revealing the existence of an ancient civilization.
    • In 1921, Daya Ram Sahni excavated Harappa in the Montgomery district of Punjab (now Pakistan).
    • In 1922, Rakhal Das Banerji discovered the remains of civilization at Mohenjodaro in the Larkana district of Sindh (now Pakistan).
    • John Marshall first used the term "Indus Valley Civilization".

    Major Archaeological Sites

    • Afghanistan: Shortughai, Mundigak
    • Baluchistan (Pakistan): Mehargarh, Kili Ghul Muhammad, Rana Ghundi, Dabarkot, Balakot, Nindo Bari, Anjira, Sutkagendor
    • Punjab (Pakistan): Harappa, Jalilpur, Sanghanwala, Derawar, Ghaneriwal, Saraikhola
    • Sindh: Mohanjodaro, Amari, Kotdizi, Rehman Dheri, Sukur, Alhadino, Chanhudaro, Alimurad, Jbukar, Jhangar
    • Jammu Kashmir: Manda
    • Haryana: Banawali, Rakhigarhi, Bhagawanpura
    • Rajasthan: Kalibangan, Ganeshwar, Shishawal, Bara, Hanumangarh, Mithal, Chhupas
    • Uttar Pradesh: Alamghirpur, Manpur, Bargaon, Hulas, Sanauli
    • Gujarat: Dholavira, Lothal, Surkotda, Bhagatrao, Rangpur, Rozdi, Desalpur, Prabhashpattan
    • Maharashtra: Daimabad

    Key Features of Indus Valley Civilization

    • Town Planning and Structures:

      • Remarkable uniformity in town planning, with some regional variations.
      • Standardized layouts, streets, structures, brick sizes, and drainage systems.
      • Cities divided into two parts:
        • Acropolis (upper town/Citadel) on a higher mound on the western side.
        • Town Proper (lower town) on the eastern side.
      • The citadel contained large structures that likely functioned as administrative or ritual centers.
      • Residential buildings were built in the lower town.
      • Most Indus settlements followed a grid system, with roads intersecting at right angles.
    • Exceptions and Deviations from Basic City-Layout:

      • Lothal: No walled citadel, but built at a height. No clear internal division into citadel and lower town.

    Important Pre-historic Sites and Findings

    • Atranjikhera: Textile printing
    • Chandoli: Evidence of tin and lead alloying
    • Brahmagiri: South Indian Neolithic Sites
    • Burzahom: Pit-dwelling
    • Chirand: Serpent cult
    • Bhimbetka: Cave of Homo-sapiens, 500 Painted rock shelters
    • Nevasa: Evidence of cotton
    • Hastinapur: Wild sugarcane
    • Inamgaon: Statue of mother goddess
    • Bagor and Ajamgarh: Evidence of animal domestication
    • Mehargarh: Earliest evidence of agriculture
    • Bhimbetka and Ajamgarh: Mesolithic rock and cave paintings
    • Vindhya rock shelters: First discovered microliths

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    Description

    Explore the fascinating history of the Harappan Civilization, one of the earliest civilizations in the world. Learn about its initial discovery, the pivotal sites like Harappa and Mohenjodaro, and key figures involved in its excavation. Delve into how this ancient culture has shaped our understanding of early human societies.

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