The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation — Class 6 Social Science
1. About This Chapter
A civilisation is a complex society with cities, government, technology, culture, and trade. The first civilisations — Mesopotamia, Egypt — started over 6,000 years ago. India's earliest known civilisation is the Harappan or Indus-Sarasvatī Civilisation, which began around 2600 BCE in the fertile plains of Punjab and Sindh. Chapter 6 explores its rise, achievements, and legacy.
2. The Rise of the Indus-Sarasvatī Civilisation
The civilisation grew in the fertile plains fed by the Indus and the now-dry Sarasvatī rivers. As farming succeeded, villages became towns, then cities. Named after Harappa (the first city discovered in the early 20th century), this was one of the world's most advanced early civilisations.
3. Town Planning and Architecture
Harappan cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro showed remarkable planning:
- Grid-pattern streets — straight roads intersecting at right angles
- Two parts: Upper town (elite) and lower town (common people)
- Brick buildings: Both large and small houses built to high standards
- The Great Bath (Mohenjo-daro): A large public water tank, possibly for religious rituals
- Advanced drainage: Underground drainage systems for waste water
4. Water Management and Agriculture
- Wells and reservoirs for water storage
- Houses had bathrooms connected to drainage
- Crops: Wheat, barley, and cotton — the Harappans were the first in Eurasia to grow cotton
- Domesticated animals and fished in rivers and sea
5. Trade and Craftsmanship
- Long-distance trade: With Mesopotamia and within the civilisation
- Exports: Carnelian beads, shell bangles, possibly cotton
- Maritime trade: Lothal had a large dockyard
- Seals: Made of steatite (a soft stone), marked with animal figures and symbols — among the earliest writing in the region
6. Daily Life and Cultural Achievements
- Pottery, tools, and ornaments
- Board games (carved boards and pieces)
- The famous "Dancing Girl" bronze figurine
- Seals depicting deities — evidence of religious life
- Strong civic sense with well-maintained streets and drainage
7. Decline — Around 1900 BCE
Cities were gradually abandoned; people returned to rural life. Scholars believe climate change — the Sarasvatī drying up and reduced rainfall — made agriculture difficult, leading to the decline of urban centres. Despite the end of cities, much Harappan culture and technology passed on to later Indian civilisations.
8. Key Concepts Summary
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Grid Planning | Straight streets at right angles |
| Great Bath | Large public water tank in Mohenjo-daro |
| Drainage | Underground drainage systems |
| Trade | With Mesopotamia; maritime trade via Lothal |
| Seals | Steatite seals with animals and symbols |
9. Worked Questions
Q: What made Harappan cities special? Grid-pattern streets, advanced drainage, the Great Bath, well-built brick houses, and evidence of strong civic planning — all remarkable for 4,600 years ago.
Q: Why did the Harappan civilisation decline? Climate change — the Sarasvatī River dried up and rainfall reduced — made farming difficult. Cities were gradually abandoned, but the culture's legacy lived on.
10. Conclusion
The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation reveals that India's urban heritage is among the world's oldest. The Harappans' achievements in city planning, water management, trade, and craftsmanship were extraordinary for their time — and their legacy continues in Indian culture today.
