The Lives of the Ancients
Class 6 Social Science · Chapter 6: The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation · NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond section 6.7
Learn
Archaeologists have dug up thousands of objects that tell us how the Harappans lived. Objects of daily use include pottery painted black on red, grinding stones, copper and bronze tools, combs, mirrors, and needles.
Children played with clay toys: little carts with wheels, animals and whistles. People enjoyed games, including board games and dice. Men and women wore ornaments of beads, shells and metal, and bangles, which are still loved in India today.
Cultural and symbolic objects include square seals carved with animals like the bull, elephant and rhinoceros, along with signs of a script. Scholars have not yet been able to read the script, so many mysteries remain. There are also small clay figurines and a famous small bronze figure of a dancing girl.
There is no sign of great palaces or war weapons. Many historians think the Harappans lived in a fairly peaceful society, where the gap between rich and poor was not very large.
Explore: daily use or symbolic?
- Sort each object.
Remember
- Daily objects (pots, tools, combs, toys, bangles) show how Harappans lived.
- Seals with an undeciphered script, figurines and the bronze dancing figure are cultural objects.
Quick check
Why are the Harappan seals still a mystery?
- Their script has not been read yet
- They are all broken
- They have no pictures
- They were made last year
Answer
Their script has not been read yet. Without reading the script, we can't know exactly what the seals say.
Think about it
Which Harappan objects or habits can still be seen in India today?
One answer
Bangles, bead necklaces, clay toys and carts, certain cooking pots, the plough, cotton cloth, and board games are some examples.
Practice
Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.