Chapter 6 The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation Very Short Question

Very Short Question Answers: The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation

Q1. What are the minimum characteristics of a civilization?
Ans: Government, urbanism, crafts, trade, writing, cultural ideas, productive agriculture.

Q2. Where did civilization begin around 6,000 years ago?
Ans: Mesopotamia.

Q3. What ancient river watered the plains of Punjab and Sindh, aiding agricultural growth?
Ans: Indus River.

Q4. What ancient name refers to the civilization in the Indian Subcontinent?
Ans: Harappan or Indus-Sarasvati civilization.

Q5. Why are the inhabitants of this civilization called ‘Harappans’?
Ans: Named after the city of Harappa, the first excavated site.

Q6. What river, mentioned in ancient texts, is now known as Ghaggar in India and Hakra in Pakistan?
Ans: Sarasvati River.

Q7. Which two cities were the major centers of the Harappan civilization?
Ans: Harappa and Mohenjo-daro.

Q8. What was the significance of the Great Bath in Mohenjo-daro?
Ans: It was likely used for ritual bathing.

Q9. How did the Harappans manage water in their cities?
Ans: Through an advanced system of drains and reservoirs.

Q10. What important crop did the Harappans cultivate that was unique in Eurasia?
Ans: Cotton.

Q11. What types of goods did the Harappans export?
Ans: Ornaments, textiles, pottery, possibly metals and food items.

Q12. What materials were Harappan seals generally made from?
Ans: Steatite.

Q13. What metal did the Harappans use to make tools and utensils?
Ans: Bronze.

Q14. What climatic change around 2200 BCE is believed to have contributed to the decline of the Harappan civilization?
Ans: Reduced rainfall and a drier climate phase.

Q15. What natural phenomena originate in oceans and impact coastal regions?
Ans: Cyclones and tsunamis.

Q16. What ancient term refers to the northwest region of the Indian Subcontinent in Vedic texts?
Ans: Sapta Sindhu.

Q17. Which ancient text lists many regions of India, including Kashmir and Kerala?
Ans: Mahabharata.

Q18. What term means ‘the country of the Bharatas’?
Ans: Bharatavarsha.

Q19. Who used the term ‘Jambudvipa’ to describe the whole of India around 250 BCE?
Ans: Ashoka.

Q20. What natural feature marks the northern boundary of Bharatavarsha according to ancient texts?
Ans: Snowy mountains (Himalayas).

Q21. What Persian term for India is derived from ‘Sindhu’?
Ans: Hind or Hindu.

Q22. What Chinese term for India is derived from ‘Sindhu’?
Ans: Yintu or Yindu.

Q23. Who was the Chinese scholar known for his travels to India in the 7th century CE?
Ans: Xuanzang.

Q24. What phrase appears at the beginning of the Indian Constitution, indicating the name ‘Bharat’?
Ans: India, that is Bharat.

Q25. What geographical feature marks the northern boundary of Bharatavarsha according to the Mahabharata?
Ans: Snowy mountains (Himalayas).