Harappan Characteristics

Question 1

Riverine civilization

Answer 1

All the important sites were situated along important perennial
rivers and their tributaries.
o This was because the Harappans practised intensive agriculture and depended
heavily on flood irrigation.
o In agriculture: they were aware of wheat, rice, barley, cotton, date… but no maize

Question 2

Bronze age

Answer 2

They knew many other
metals like gold, silver, copper but not
iron

Question 3

Largest contemporary ancient civilization

Answer 3

It was (area-wise) largest ancient
civilization compared to its
contemporary bronze age civilizations
of Mesopotamian, Egyptian and
Chinese civilisations.

Question 5

First urban civilized of India

Answer 5

It is unique among
contemporary civilisations due
to its extensive town planning.
o However, so far, over 1000 sites have been found, mostly small hamlets, a few
towns and some cities, today spread in India and Pakistan.

Question 6

Harappan belonging to great tradition

Answer 6

The Harappan civilisation belongs to the great tradition, that is, literacy was widespread.
o It is evident from its public use on seals, pots, sign boards etc

However, only information available today is from archaeology. No Harappan
literary records can be read as the script not deciphered yet. Thus, it is categorized
into proto-historic phase

Question 7

Trade and commerce

Answer 7

Thus, trade and commerce well-developed developed, highly organized art and crafts.
o But no coins found so far. Seals usage was important for trade but not as coins

Question 8

Religious traditions

Answer 8

Followed many different religious traditions. Yet, no specific temples.

Question 9

Horse

Answer 9

Controversy whether they know horses or not.