Page 28 - SST Class 06

Script Quiz Time

We have said earlier that the Harappan script has Write True or False :
not yet been deciphered. It was pictographic in 1. The Harappan people were very fond of play
nature. Maybe, we will be able to decipher this sitar. _________
script some day.
2. Many people were engaged in making pottery
and jewellery. _________
3. The workers who worked in factories or
workshops lived in the higher part. _________

4. The Harappan people produced wonderful pieces
of jewellery made of gold. _________

Harappan script 5. Pottery had different types of patterns and
Religion designs. _________

Excavations at different places suggest that the
Harappan people worshipped many gods and Fall of the Harappan Civilisation
goddesses. The figure commonly found is that of a The Harappan Civilisation flourished for about
female deity, identified as Shakti or Mother 1000 years from circa 2500 BC to 1500 BC. Its
Goddess. A male god with three heads—Shiva decline coincides with the arrival of the Aryans.
Pashupati was also worshipped. In a seal, he has The cause of its fall is not certain, which may be a
been shown with three visible faces seated in a natural occurrence (like flood or earthquake) or
yogic posture with many animals around—tiger epidemic, or the Aryans might have invaded and
and elephant on the right, buffalo and rhinoceros destroyed it. It is possible that the Indus River
on the left and horned deer under the seat. changed its course and destroyed the site.
Contribution of the Harappan Civilisation

The rich legacy of the Harappan civilization
passed on to the Aryans as we can find
resemblance in many of their customs and
traditions. The Harappan civilisation was the first
urban civilisation with remarkable sense of town
planning, sanitation and architecture. They were
Statue of Mother Goddess A burial site at Harappa probably the first people to harness the animal
It is also assumed that certain trees, birds, animals power in a cart. They were peace-loving people
and other natural forces were also worshipped. who knew the importance of leisure-time
The burial sites had pottery, ornaments and activities, like dance, music, painting, sculpture
mirrors in them, which proves that they believed etc. They preferred indoor activities to outdoor
in life after death. activities.

v The Chalcolithic Age lasted from about 4000 BC to 2000 BC in which both copper and stone were used.
v Small villages set up during the Stone Age flourished into cities and thus civilisation dawned.
v The Harappan civilisation flourished in a large area in the north-west.
v The Harappan towns were well-planned with drainage system and different buildings in two parts—raised
and lower.
v A number of occupations were adopted in the Harappan civilisation, including long-distance trade.
Contemporary Social Science-6
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