NCERT Solutions to Class 6 Social Science Exploring Society: India and Beyond Chapter 6 “The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation”

Hello, dear students, and welcome to an inspiring journey into The Beginnings of Indian Civilization!

Our dedicated team of expert teachers, educated both in India and overseas, has put together these solutions especially for you. Every idea is presented in a clear and engaging way to help you grasp the material with ease. In this lesson, you’ll explore the origins of Indian civilization, discover the incredible cultures, societies, and achievements that laid the foundation for India’s rich heritage.

Remember, learning is an exciting adventure, and we’re thrilled to be here supporting and cheering you every step of the way!

Find Solutions for NCERT Class 6 Social Science Exploring Society: India and Beyond Chapter 6 “The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation,” here.

Text book page 86

The Big Questions

1. What is a civilisation?

Answer:

Civilization is an advanced stage of human society marked by several key features:

• There is a system of government and administration to manage activities of a complex society.
• Civilisations have planned cities or towns with well-designed roads, efficient water management, including drainage systems to make life easier for the people.
• Civilizations are known for a variety of crafts, which involve the management of raw materials like stone or metal and the production of finished goods such as ornaments and tools.
• Civilizations trade goods with nearby and distant places, allowing people to exchange products they need.
• Writing systems for record-keeping and communication is another important feature of civilisations.
• Additionally, civilizations express cultural ideas through art, architecture, literature, oral traditions, and customs.
• Productive farming to provide enough food, which supports both city and rural life is another essential feature of civilisations.

Each of these features makes a civilization organized and advanced, helping people to live and work together successfully.

2. What was the earliest civilisation of the Indian Subcontinent?

Answer:

The earliest civilization of the Indian subcontinent was the Harappan or Sindhu-Sarasvatī civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization. It was one of the world’s oldest civilizations.

3. What were its major achievements?

Answer:

The Harappan or Sindhu-Sarasvatī civilization made significant progress in many fields:

• Their cities were thoroughly planned, featuring a grid layout, well-designed buildings, and advanced drainage systems.
• One of their most admirable achievements was their sustainable water management system, as seen in the construction of large reservoirs, wells, and underground drains.
• Their craftsmanship was sophisticated, with artisans producing exquisite ornaments, pottery, tools, and figurines from materials like copper, bronze, stone, and terracotta.
• Agriculture was also quite evolved, with crops such as barley, wheat, rice, and pulses being cultivated, and they were pioneers in the production of cotton in Eurasia.
• The Harappans were brisk traders having extensive trade networks both within the region and with distant civilizations overseas.
• Moreover, they developed a script which is still indecipherable.
• The artifacts like seals, sculptures, and artworks of their time reflect their beliefs and way of life.
  
  

THINK ABOUT IT (Page 86)

Which of the above characteristics do you think is the most fundamental — that is, a characteristic essential to the development of all others?

Answer:

I think that water management is crucial for the development of all other characteristics as it is directly linked to agriculture and urban growth. Access to water is essential not only to sustain life, but also for irrigation, which supports agriculture. Intricate water management systems such as reservoirs and drainage networks, allows cities to prosper and secures a steady flow of water for farming, hygiene, and daily needs. Without advanced water management, the Harappans wouldn’t have been able to sustain their population or their complex urban infrastructure. Therefore, water management was the basis of the development of the Harappan civilization.

LET’S EXPLORE (Page 87)

For each characteristic in the list above, can you make a list of professions or occupations that might exist in such a society?

Answer:

We may assume that the following list of professions or occupations in some form may have existed based on the characteristics of the Indus -Saraswati civilization:

(i) For governance and Administration
Rulers/Leaders
Administrators
Scribes/Record Keepers
Tax Collectors
Officials overseeing law and order

(ii) Town Planning
Architects
City Planners
Engineers
Construction Workers
Drainage and Water Supply Managers
Plumbers
stone breakers
brick maker
brick layer
canal builder
mason

(iii) Crafts
Artisans (potters, metalworkers, weavers)
Toolmakers
Jewellers and Ornament Makers
Sculptors
stone carver

(iv) Agriculture
Farmers
Irrigation Experts
Agricultural Laborers
Herdsmen/Livestock Managers
Fishermen

(v) Trade and Commerce
Traders and Merchants
Caravaneer
Shipbuilders
Dockworkers
Accountants/Bookkeepers
money lenders

(vi) Writing and Record Keeping
Scribes
Linguists
Educators/Teachers
Record Keepers
Seal Makers

(vii) Cultural and Religious Life
Priests or Religious Leaders
Artists and Sculptors
Musicians and Performers
Storytellers/Oral Tradition Keepers
Architects of Temples/Religious Structures

The list of occupation shows how complex and sophisticated the ancient Harappan or Indus -Saraswati civilisation was.

LET’S EXPLORE (Page 89)

Some of the important cities of this civilisation are marked in the map (Fig. 6.3). As a class activity, can you try to match, these cities with the modern states or regions in the table given below? (Page 89)

Harappan City	Modern state/ region
Dholavira	Punjab
Harappa	Gujarat
Kalibangan	Sindh
Mohenjo-daro	Haryana
Rakhigari	Rajasthan

Answer:

Harappan City	Modern state/region  (As given in text)	Modern state/ region (Correct)
Dholavira	Punjab	Gujarat (India)
Harappa	Gujarat	Punjab (Pakistan)
Kalibangan	Sindh	Rajasthan (India)
Mohenjo-daro	Haryana	Sindh (Pakistan)
Rakhigari	Rajasthan	Haryana (India)

THINK ABOUT IT (Page 91)

You may have come across the term ‘Indus Valley civilisation’ and noticed that we have not used it. A look at the map (Fig. 6.3 on page 89) explains why the term ‘Valley’ is obsolete, as we now know that the civilisation extended much beyond the Indus region.

Answer:

The term ‘Indus Valley Civilization’ is sometimes used to describe this ancient civilization. However, it’s not fully accurate because the civilization spread far beyond just the Indus Valley. Looking at the map (Fig. 6.3), you’ll see that it covered a large area, including parts of today’s India and Pakistan, extending well beyond the Indus region. So, using the name ‘Indus Valley Civilization’ is old-fashioned, as it doesn’t reflect the full size and reach of this civilization.

LET’S EXPLORE (Page 93)

Have a debate in class about the last two interpretations. Can you think of any others? Remember that in this case, we do not have any other source of history — no inscription, no text, no traveller’s account.

Answer:

Debate Topic: The Purpose of the Great Bath in Mohenjo-daro.

Introduction by teacher:
Good morning, class! Today, we are going to explore one of the most intriguing discoveries from the Harappan Civilization – the Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro. Some archaeologists believe the Great Bath was reserved for the royal family, while others think it was used for religious rituals, perhaps a place of purification.
Today, you will discuss and debate the possible purposes of the Great Bath, using the evidence we have.

Team A: The Royal Bath Theory

Team B: The Religious Ritual Tank Theory

Arguments put forth by both teams:

Team A: The Royal Bath Theory

The Great Bath was intended for use by the elite, perhaps exclusively by royalty as suggested by its intricate construction and strategic location in the city.

The small rooms around the tank seem to indicate that they were to be used exclusively by privileged members of the society.

The fine brickwork and the great care with which it was waterproofed reflect wealth and status reinforcing the idea that it was reserved for royals or the elite.

Moreover, the fact that most private houses had their own private bathrooms endorses the idea that the Great Bath was specially constructed and reserved for those in power.

Team B – The Religious Ritual Tank Theory

Water signifies purification and in many ancient cultures it has a religious significance, so it is probable that the Great Bath was used for ritual cleansing.

The size and elaborate plan of the Bath indicate that it was a place meant for religious rituals rather than for mere luxury bathing. It is possible that purification rituals were performed there.

We hear of similar tanks used for religious ceremonies in other ancient civilisations like Mesopotamia and Egypt which supports our interpretation.

Since there isn’t a central place of worship in Mohenjo- daro, we can surmise that the Great Bath served the purpose of bringing the community together for religious ceremonies.

Refutal:

Team A: Refuting the Religious Ritual Theory

The presence of private bathrooms in every house leads to the belief that a communal bathing place for religious purposes would not be necessary in this community.

Since there seems to be no hint of a temple in the vicinity of the Great bath, the religious aspect seems to be far-fetched.

Team B: Refuting the Royal Bath Theory

If there are private bathrooms in every house, it may be assumed that the houses of the royals and elites would also have private bathrooms so that they would not have to endure the inconvenience of visiting the Great Bath for their daily baths. Besides there is no evidence of a palace or grand mansion near the Great Bath, so it seems unlikely that it was constructed to benefit them.

Moreover, many ancient civilizations often consecrated the most beautiful structures for religious use rather than for luxury.

Conclusion:

Teacher:

Thank you for your sincere attempts to arrive at a conclusion about the purpose of the Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro. Since there are no written records or accounts of travellers which mention the Great Bath, we cannot reach a definite conclusion. But you have used logic and common sense to support your opinions which was the purpose of this exercise. This kind of uncertainty is encountered by archaeologists and historians who try to piece together all the information available to reconstruct the past which at times remains a mystery due to insufficient information.

LET’S EXPLORE (Page 95)

As a class activity, measure the length of your classroom, a school corridor or a playground with the help of any measuring tape. Compare these lengths with the length of the largest reservoir in Dholavira.

Answer:

The measurements of the length of our class, corridor and playground are indicated below: Classroom: 10 meters
Corridor:     30 meters
Playground: 60 meters
Observation:
Dholavira Reservoir which is 73 meters in length is 7.3 times longer than our classroom, almost two and a half times the length of our corridor, and exceeds the length of playground by 13 meters.

THINK ABOUT IT (Page 96)

Imagine the large number of workers required to build such a network of reservoirs. Who do you think organised their work and gave them precise instructions? How do you think they were paid for their labour? (Hint: there was no money at that time in the way we have today.) Since the reservoirs needed to be cleaned from time to time, was there some local authority to manage their maintenance? What clues do we get from all this about this city’s ruler and municipal administration?

Use your imagination and discuss with your teacher. Archaeologists also discuss these questions, and the answers are not always final!

Answer:

There is no doubt about the fact that such a large number of interconnected reservoirs could only have been built by experienced and skilled labourers according to plans drawn up by seasoned architects and engineers who supervised the entire construction activity.

The city obviously had an efficient administration who were in charge of overseeing the timely implementation of such projects which required co-ordination among several different groups of workers.

It is probable that the workers were paid in kind since money as we know it now did not exist at the time. The workers may have received food grains, clothing, living quarters, livestock for their labour. Some might have been required to contribute labour in lieu of tax. It might have been part of their civic duty to do community service.

Maintenance and cleansing of these reservoirs would also require a team of workmen to be assigned the task on a regular basis. Moreover, a number of supervisors would be needed to supervise their work so that the city had a regular supply of clean water.

It seems that the city had a well- structured municipal set-up to keep urban life running smoothly. They undertook and executed complex projects like the reservoirs, co-ordinated the work of different departments and ensured proper maintenance of civic facilities. There was a sophisticated system of governance in place. Archaeologists continue to study the evidence found and try to find out more about how such cities functioned.

LET US EXPLORE (Page 97)

Imagine you cook a meal in a Harappan house. What dish or dishes would you prepare, based on the data given above?

Answer:

If I were preparing a meal in a Harappan house, I would cook the following items:

Porridge from broken wheat (dalia) and millets boiled in milk to be served with chopped bananas or other fruits.
Prepare some flat bread after kneading wheat or millet flour with water.
Boil rice in water till cooked.
Cook lentils with some vegetables, salt, and some ginger for flavour.
Roast fish and meat after marinading in spices like turmeric, ginger, and garlic and salt for taste..

LET’S EXPLORE (Page 99)

Looking at these three Harappan seals with some writing signs, what goes through your mind? Would you like to suggest any interpretations? Let your imagination run!

Answer:

The three Harappan seals depict a unicorn, a bull and a horned tiger. These creatures seemed to have a significant role in Harappan culture. We may only guess at what they symbolise:

The Unicorn as we know is a mythical creature which is unique. In Harappan culture it might have symbolised a sacred protector with supernatural powers.

The Bull might be a symbol of power, endurance, hard work and prosperity in agricultural communities.

The Tiger is a fierce predator and the addition of horns suggests a supernatural version of the creature. It could be a symbol of a protective force.

The script which is seen above the animals has not been deciphered yet. The signs may represent names or trademarks, but we cannot be certain till their mystery is unravelled.

The seals were most likely used by traders to mark ownership of goods. All goods belonging to a particular trader or group of traders were probably marked by a distinctive seal.

We can only guess what they signified, but the exact significance of these seals remains unknown.

THINK ABOUT IT (Page 102)

Looking at the objects on pages 100 and 101 — or any other pictures in this chapter — can you make out what activities or aspects of life were important for the Harappans?

Answer:

Judging by the objects depicted on pages 100 and 101, we can see that there were several activities which were important for the Harappans:

(i) The bronze mirror and terracotta pot show that the Harappans used practical tools for their daily necessities just like us.

(ii) The whistle and the gamesboard show that both adults and children enjoyed playing games for recreation.

(iii) Stone weights show that standard weights and measures were important for regular business transactions.

(iv) The bronze chisel exhibit bears witness to their advanced skills in metallurgy and also their skilled craftsmanship which could fashion tools of daily use.

(v) The statue of the Priest King, the seated three-headed figure surrounded by animals as well as the swastika symbol suggest that Harappans pursued religious practices.

(vi) The figure in namaste pose shows that greetings were culturally significant and suggests a level of sophistication in cultural interactions. The bronze figurine of the dancing girl exhibits their artistic skill.

(vii) The motif of the thirsty crow on the pot shows that story-telling was a way of passing down traditions orally as well as through art.

In short, these objects point to a vibrant life style led by people who were practical, ingenious, displayed business acumen, and advanced craftsmanship. They also valued entertainment, religion, and cultural expression.

LET’S EXPLORE (page 102)

Complete the story found on the Lothal pot. How was such a story remembered for more than 4,000 years, in your opinion?

Answer:

The motif found on the Lothal pot portrays the famous story of the thirsty crow who found an ingenious way of raising the water level by dropping stones in the pot. As the level of water rose in the pot, he could drink it and quench his thirst. The clever crow is shown to be resourceful and finds a way to solve the problem. These qualities are valued as much today as they were in Harappan times.

In my opinion, this story like many others were passed down through the centuries orally by story tellers who told and retold these stories with a view to educating, entertaining and preserving an oral record of the knowledge base of the times. The visual representation on the pot was a way of circulating the story and ensuring that these stories survived even in the absence of written records.

LET’S EXPLORE (page 102)

Consider the ‘Dancing Girl’ figurine. What do you make of the attitude the figurine expresses? Observe her bangles covering an entire arm, a practice still visible in parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Where else in this chapter can you spot bangles worn in this manner. What conclusion should we draw from this?

Answer:

The figurine of the dancing girl shows that the Harappans were proficient in blending and casting metal. It also reflects that entertainment, dance in particular, was part of the culture.

The girl’s posture with hand on hip, head slightly tilted, knees slightly bent, and right arm resting on her hip suggests a dancing pose. The figure reflects the style of the times. She wears her hair in a neat low bun and innumerable bangles cover her left arm, while there are four on her right arm. This style of wearing bangles is still followed by women in Gujarat and Rajasthan underscoring the fact that these cultural traditions were passed down the centuries and still continue.

We can spot bangles worn in this manner by the woman in the picture on Page 86 of this book and also on other figurines and seals found.

We can draw the conclusion that this style of wearing bangles and the attitude of the figurines mean that fashion, personal adornment and cultural traditions are deep-rooted with some practices still carrying on from Harappan period. Certain cultural expressions have stood the test of time and have been carried forward by communities and their traditions.

Textbook page (Page 104)

Questions, Activities and Projects

1. Why does the civilisation studied in this chapter have several names? Discuss their significance.

Answer:

The civilisation studied in this chapter was spread over a vast area and accordingly different names were used to refer to it. Each of the following names it is known by refers to a different facet of the civilisation:
Indus valley Civilisation: This name was used because the civilisation was first discovered in the valley along the river Indus and its tributaries. The findings at sites in Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa which were located in the Indus region gave it this name.

Harappan Civilisation: Harappa was one of the first sites to be excavated by archaeologists so it came to designate the entire civilisation.

Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilization: This name underscores the wider geographical area beyond the Indus valley into the valley of the river Saraswati across which this civilisation extended. It emphasizes how far the civilisation had spread.

2. Write a brief report (150 to 200 words) summing up some of the achievements of the Indus-Sarasvati civilisation.

Answer:

The Indus-Sarasvati Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, was one of the earliest and most advanced in the world, thriving around 2500 BCE. It had well-planned cities like Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, and Dholavira. These cities had perpendicular streets and excellent drainage systems, with reservoirs and public baths for water management.

The people were good at making things like pottery, beads, terracotta toys and other artefacts. The Harappans were adept in metallurgy, producing bronze tools and various ornaments.

They traded these goods both nearby and with distant places like Mesopotamia. Farming was also important, with crops like wheat, barley to sustain the population in the cities. They were perhaps the first in Eurasia to grow cotton.

They may have developed a form of writing, but the script which figures in the seals they left behind, has not been deciphered yet. Their buildings were strong, with large public structures and protective walls, proving their expertise in construction and securing their cities.

The achievements of the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization in city planning, trade, and water management make it a very important part of early human history.

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:

Let’s assume that the distance between Harappa and Kalibangan is approximately 200 kilometers.

During ancient times the means of transport were limited. People could walk or use a bullock cart if they could afford to do so. They could also use the network of the Indus and its tributaries for the greater part of their journey by boat and cover the remaining distance on foot.

Option 1 :
If I were to  walk from  Harappa to Kalibangan:
I could probably walk 15 kilometers a day, so it would take me 200/15 = 13.33 , say 13 and a half days to cover the distance between Harappa and Kalibangan.

Option 2:
If  I were to travel by bullock cart:
Although the journey would be less tiring for me, it would not be very much faster because bullock carts can cover only about 15 to 20 kilometers per day because of the slow pace of the animals and the rough terrain. We have to recall that modern highways did not exist in ancient times.
It would take me 200/20 = 10 days to cover the distance between Harappa and Kalibangan.

Option 3:
if I were to sail down the Indus and its tributaries to the nearest point near Kalibangan, it would save a lot of time. Boats can cover 30 to 50 kilometers a day depending on the direction of the wind and weather.
It would take me 200/50 = 4 days to reach the nearest point on the river and maybe another 2 days to walk from the river to Kalibangan, so I would reach in 6 days. This mode of transport would be the most convenient.

Of course the actual time taken in each case would depend on a lot of factors like road conditions, weather etc. This is just an imaginative approximation.

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:

If a Harappan were transported to a regular modern Indian kitchen, there would be several things which would surprise him/her, for example:

(i) He/she would be astonished to see the different cooking mediums used in modern times. Instead of the traditional wood fire which he/she was accustomed to, there are now so many different options available such as Gas stoves, Electric ovens, Microwave ovens, Air fryers, OTGs (oven-toaster-griller). These emit no smoke and some even have timers which could be set to switch off automatically.

(ii) The various labour and time-saving electric appliances like mixer-grinders, food-processors, electric- kettles, electric-beaters which make life simpler and save tedious manual grinding of cereals and spices, chopping of vegetables etc. would be sure to thrill him/her too.

(iii) Refrigerators would overwhelm him/her because during the Harappan period all the meat that people hunted, the fish that they caught or the milk that they got from their herds had to be consumed as soon as possible before spoiling, but a refrigerator allows modern people to preserve their food at low temperatures for days on end which is very convenient and prevents wastage.

(iv) The presence of electric lights in the kitchen that can be turned on or off with the flick of a switch, would be another eye-opener because In the Harappan period, natural sunlight or flickering oil lamps would have been their only sources of light.

(v) Running Water would delight him/her. Although the Harappans had a sophisticated water management system, the availability of running water directly from taps in modern kitchens, both hot and cold, would be a novelty. The convenience of not having to fetch water manually would greatly please them.

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:

The following is a list of ornaments, gestures, and objects from the Indus-Sarasvati (Harappan) civilization that have withstood the test of time and still feel familiar to us today:

Ornaments:

Beaded Necklaces: The Harappans wore necklaces made of beads, shells, and stones, just like the beaded jewellery people wear today. In fact, they are as popular now as ever.

Bangles: Bracelets and bangles were common in Harappan times and still adorn the arms of Indian women today.

Earrings: Hoop earrings and other styles were popular during ancient Harappan times, just like they are at present.

Anklets: Harappans wore decorative anklets, which women still wear today during festivals.

Gestures:

Hands Raised in Greeting: Harappan figures show people with raised hands joined as if in prayer, which looks like the way people pray or greet each other even today (namaste).

Dancing Poses: Some Harappan figures are shown in dance poses similar to the dance poses seen in traditional Indian dance forms which exist even today. The figure of the dancing girl shows her bedecked in jewellery which is familiar to us.

Objects:

Pottery: Harappans used clay pots and bowls for cooking and storage, which are still used in some homes today, especially in rural areas.

Combs: Harappan people had combs for grooming, just like the ones we use now and they also used mirrors to check their appearances.

Toys: They made clay toys for children, much like the small toy figures and vehicles children today play with. Many of the toys seen in village fairs nowadays are similar to the Harappan toys. They even had a board game which seems to be a precursor of modern chess.

Seals and Stamps: The Harappans used seals with pictures of animals, like the stamps used today for marking important documents.

Tools: The clay model of a plough used in Harappan times is similar in design to the iron ploughs used by farmers of today.

Carts: The small terracotta models of chariots or carts from Harappan sites resemble traditional forms of transportation still seen in some rural parts of India today.

These items show how life in the Harappan civilization has influenced things we still use today and how they have not changed much even though thousands of years have elapsed.

6. What mindset does the system of reservoirs at Dholavira reflect?

Answer:

The elaborate system of reservoirs at Dholavira bears testimony to a mindset that was innovative, resourceful and had the ability to plan in advance.
The people were completely in tune with their surroundings and acutely aware of the necessity for conserving and managing water which was scarce in their region.
They had the foresight to ensure that the city had adequate supply of water even during the dry season.
Their mindset reveals a deep understanding of their environment, and an abiding commitment to the welfare of the community.
They had an organised system in place for management of essential resources and collaborated for the greater good.
The attention they devoted to water management indicates that they valued hygiene, public health and sustainable living.

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 existence of 700 wells in Mohenjo-daro built with bricks which were regularly maintained and used for centuries has several significant implications:

(i) The people of Mohenjo-daro were highly skilled in construction and knew how to build strong, long-lasting wells.

(ii) They understood the importance of having a steady water supply for daily life. These wells were likely used for drinking, cooking, and bathing, and they ensured that people always had access to fresh water.

(iii) The fact that the wells lasted for centuries suggests that the engineers invested in durable materials of construction like bricks and had a long-term vision of the city’s infrastructure.

(iv) Since the wells lasted for hundreds of years, it also suggests that the people of Mohenjo-daro had a well-organized system for taking care of these wells over time. A well-functioning local administration or authority responsible for the upkeep of essential services like water supply was in place.

(v) The city was carefully planned and wells were strategically located so as to ensure easy access to water for all residents alike.

(vi) The stress on water management suggests that the people of Mohenjo-daro prioritised public health and hygiene. They ensured that all people had access to clean water in multiple places all year through.

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 of India today.

Answer:

The statement that Harappans had a high civic sense suggests that they were extremely organised and were mindful of their cities and communities. I agree with the statement for the following reasons:

Well-Planned Cities: Harappans built cities with straight streets, houses, markets, and public buildings arranged in a neat grid. This shows they cared about good organization.

Uniformity of construction: All the houses whether big or small were constructed with the same quality of materials. There was no compromise in quality of materials used for building small houses which were presumably used for the less affluent section of society. This shows commitment to impartiality and fairness.

Water Management: They had advanced systems to manage water, with many wells, reservoirs, and proper drainage systems that kept their cities clean and prevented flooding.

Hygiene and Cleanliness: The Harappans had well-maintained sewage systems and took care of waste disposal, proving that they valued cleanliness and public health.

Community Effort: The people of the Harappan cities worked together in a disciplined manner to make sure that everything ran smoothly and the cities stayed orderly.

Comparison to Modern Cities: Today, cities like Delhi or Mumbai have modern systems, but they are beset with problems like pollution and overcrowding. The Harappans, long ago, managed to keep their cities clean and well-organized despite not having advanced technology.

Civic Sense: While some people in modern cities follow rules and keep their surroundings clean, others do not comply with rules, and litter the city. The Harappans, however, seemed to have worked together as a community towards the common goal of maintaining order and cleanliness of their cities.

This highlights how the Harappans showed a strong sense of civic responsibility in taking care of their cities and were also in tune with their environment.

Frequently Asked Questions on NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Exploring Society: India and Beyond Chapter 6 “The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation”