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SST Chapter 6 Solutions

The chapter discusses the Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan and Indus-Sarasvatī Civilizations, highlighting its geographical significance and diversity across modern-day Pakistan and northwest India. Travel options from Harappa to Kalibangan include overland routes and river travel, with estimated journey times ranging from a week to 10 days depending on the method used. A Harappan individual transported to a modern Indian kitchen would be surprised by electric appliances, processed foods, the variety of spices, plastic and stainless steel utensils, and advanced cleaning technologies.

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45 views2 pages

SST Chapter 6 Solutions

The chapter discusses the Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan and Indus-Sarasvatī Civilizations, highlighting its geographical significance and diversity across modern-day Pakistan and northwest India. Travel options from Harappa to Kalibangan include overland routes and river travel, with estimated journey times ranging from a week to 10 days depending on the method used. A Harappan individual transported to a modern Indian kitchen would be surprised by electric appliances, processed foods, the variety of spices, plastic and stainless steel utensils, and advanced cleaning technologies.

Uploaded by

GeethaRaju1
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1.

Why does the civilisation studied in this chapter have


several names? Discuss their significance.
The civilization discussed in the chapter is known by several names: the
Indus Valley Civilization, Harappan Civilization, and Indus-Sarasvatī
Civilization. The term "Indus Valley" comes from the Indus River, which was
central to the civilization's development. The name "Harappan Civilization" is
derived from Harappa, the first site excavated in 1920–21. The term "Indus-
Sarasvatī Civilization" acknowledges the significant role of the Sarasvatī
River, mentioned in the Vedas, which flowed alongside the Indus and
influenced many settlements. These multiple names reflect the geographical
spread of the civilization across the region of modern-day Pakistan and
northwest India. The significance lies in the civilization's diversity, as it
extended beyond the Indus Valley into the Sarasvatī River basin, highlighting
its vast influence and the interconnectedness of various regions within the
subcontinent.

3. Imagine you have to travel from the city of Harappa to


Kalibangan. What are your different options? Can you make a rough
estimation of the amount of time each option might take?

Traveling from Harappa to Kalibangan would have required navigating the


terrain using either land or river routes. The most direct route would likely
involve traveling overland, following ancient trade routes along the Indus or
Sarasvatī Rivers. Given that the distance between Harappa (in modern-day
Pakistan) and Kalibangan (in Rajasthan, India) is approximately 200 to 250
kilometers, walking would have taken about 8 to 10 days, depending on the
pace (roughly 25–30 kilometers per day). Alternatively, if a boat was
available to travel along the rivers, it could have taken less time depending
on water conditions and travel speed. Using pack animals like oxen could
speed up the journey slightly, but the terrain's challenges (especially without
modern roads) would slow the pace. If trade routes and larger caravanserais
were used, it might take about a week or more for the journey. Depending on
the season and conditions, the journey time could vary, with overland travel
being the most reliable option for a short to medium-distance trip.

4. Let us imagine a Harappan man or woman being transported to


an average kitchen in today’s India. What are the four or five
biggest surprises awaiting them?
If a Harappan man or woman were transported to a modern kitchen in India
today, they would be amazed by several things. First, the use of electric
appliances like refrigerators, microwaves, and gas stoves would be a huge
surprise, as they cooked with open flames and clay ovens. Second, the pre-
packaged and processed foods available today, stored in plastic and
cans, would be unfamiliar, as the Harappans grew their own crops and
cooked from scratch. They would also find the variety of spices in modern
kitchens astonishing—ingredients like turmeric, cumin, and chili were not as
commonly used in their time. The widespread use of plastic containers and
stainless steel utensils would also be surprising, as the Harappans used
clay and organic materials for storage. Lastly, modern kitchen cleaning
technology, including dishwashers and detergents, would be quite
extraordinary compared to the sanitation systems they had in their cities.

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