ncert-class-6-history-chapter-3

Initial Discovery
- Engineers discovered Harappa while laying railway lines in Punjab, 150 years ago.
- The site was initially seen as a source for high-quality bricks, leading to the destruction of many old buildings.
Archaeological Significance
- Discovered by archaeologists 80 years ago; identified as one of the oldest cities in the subcontinent (approximately 4700 years old).
- Other similar sites were termed "Harappan" based on this discovery.

Children Jaspal and Harpreet notice local dilapidated buildings and witness adults appreciating their architecture.
- Discussion on whether it's vital to preserve old structures due to their historical and cultural significance.

City Structure
- Cities usually divided into parts:
  - Citadel: Smaller, elevated western part.
  - Lower Town: Larger, lower eastern section.
- Well-baked brick walls that have lasted thousands of years, laid in an interlocking pattern for strength.
Archaeological Finds
- Unique objects discovered: red pottery, stone weights, seals, beads, copper tools, and rectangular blades.
- Notable construction features include the Great Bath in Mohenjodaro, suggesting ritual significance.

House Designs
- Houses typically 1-2 storeys with rooms surrounding a central courtyard.
- Separate bathing areas and some with wells; featured covered drains with gentle slopes for efficient water flow.
- Drains connected between houses and streets, with inspection holes for maintenance.
City Planning
- Houses, drains, and streets were likely planned and built simultaneously.

Population & Roles
- Busy cities populated by planners, rulers, craftsmen, and scribes.
- Importance of raw materials and trade with distant lands for metals, stones, and other goods.
Children’s Recreation
- Terracotta toys found indicate children's play culture.
Writing & Seals
- Early form of writing found on seals; significance in trade and record-keeping.

Diverse Crafts
- Artifacts primarily made from stone, shell, metal; tools, ornaments, vessels indicate advanced craftsmanship.
- Notable findings: stone weights, beads (carnelian), and stone blades.
- Recognized the specialty in craft; possibly indicating a division of labor and expertise.
Faience
- An artificial material created using gum and sands; used for shiny glazed objects such as beads, bangles, and vessels.
Cotton Cultivation
- Evidence of cotton cultivation around 7000 years ago; examples of actual cloth found.

Transportation of Goods
- Harappans utilized various modes for transporting raw materials and finished goods.
- Nearby materials like copper sourced from Rajasthan and other regions.
Agricultural Practices
- Crops cultivated included wheat, barley, pulses, and more; livestock rearing for sustainable city economies.
- Use of irrigation to manage water supply efficiently for crops.

Dholavira
- Unique tripartite division with stone walls; ceremonial public space.
Lothal
- Key site for stone, shell, and metal craftsmanship; had a significant dockyard.
- Storage facilities for materials showcased.

Transition
- Around 3900 years ago, cities saw decline: abandonment of sites, cessation of writing and standard practices.
- Possible reasons include natural disasters, resource depletion, or changed climatic conditions.
Post-Harappan Era
- Signs of socio-political changes; movement towards smaller settlements; emergence of new cities approximately 1400 years later.