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storing grain and were built near the river for the oligarchy existed. It is evident that the rich and
convenience of transportation. Six granaries have trader class formed the upper class and had more
been excavated at Harappa, each of them powers as they lived in the citadel. The lower
measuring 46’× 19’, and the largest one measures class comprised of farmers, workers and other
137’× 45’. A furnace too has been found near a artisans who lived in the lower part or near the
workshop, so it can be concluded that tools and fields. The workers who worked in factories or
weapons were made of metal. The metals used workshops also lived in the lower part.
were copper, bronze, lead and tin. Iron was Dress
probably not known to them.
A large number of clay-spindles have been
Besides these, there were other types of buildings. recovered which show that both wool and cotton
A pillared assembly hall has been excavated at were spun into thread to weave it into clothes. A
Mohenjodaro which measures about 80 square male figure on a statue shows that the men wore a
metres. long unstitched cloth round their waist resembling
One of the excellent features of Mohenjodaro the modern ‘dhoti’ and a shawl round their left
remains the Great Public Bath . This bathing pool shoulder leaving the right shoulder naked. Some
measures 139 feet long, 23 feet wide and 9 feet clothes were probably stitched as needles and
deep. It is suggested that this bath was used by the buttons too have been found.
common people on certain religious and cultural Food
occasions.
Different crops were grown and animals were
Yet another remarkable feature of the Harappan reared, which show that the Harappan people ate
civilisation was the drainage system. Every house different types of grains and milk products. Fruits
had one or more rooms, kitchen, bathroom and and vegetables too were consumed a plenty.
well. The drainage system from the kitchen and
Recreation
bathroom were connected to the drains in the
streets. The drains were covered with stone slabs The Harappan people were
and had openings (manholes) at regular distances very fond of music and
for the sake of cleaning. This shows that the dance. They preferred indoor
people were very conscious of health, hygiene activities to outdoor activities.
and sanitation. The children played with a A Harappan toy
variety of toys.
Info Bits Occupations
Info Bits
Agriculture was the most important occupation and
The Great Bath is the earliest public water tank and they grew wheat, rice, barley and cotton. Fruits and
an example of waterproofing in the world.
vegetables too were grown. Animals were reared
The lower part was bigger than the raised part. It like bull, sheep, elephant, pig, buffalo and camel.
was the area where common people lived, but it As food grown was sufficient to meet the needs, the
too was planned. The houses had thick strong people were engaged in many other occupations
walls which were made of baked bricks and mud- too. The excavation of clay-spindles proves that the
mortar, and the use of gypsum-mortar was also people were conversant with spinning and
found. The houses had paved floors. The doors weaving. Many people were engaged in making
and windows were made of wood. The roofs were pottery and jewellery. The rich class chiefly
flat and were made of mud, reef or wood. comprised of traders who conducted long distance
trade with other cities and civilisations.
Society
Trade : Trade with the contemporary civilisations
There is no evidence to show that the cities were in Egypt, Sumeria and Babylon flourished. The
ruled by rulers or kings. Perhaps some kind of
people knew about many metals like copper,
Contemporary Social Science-6
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