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Class 6 History Chapter 3: In the Earliest Cities Notes

The earliest cities emerged around 4,500 years ago in the Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization). These cities, such as Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, were well-planned with advanced drainage systems, granaries, and trade networks. People engaged in farming, craft production, and trade, contributing to the civilization’s prosperity. This chapter explores the features of these early cities, their social life, economy, and the reasons behind their decline.



Introduction to the First Cities


What Are the Earliest Cities?
  • The first cities in the Indian subcontinent developed around 4,500 years ago.
  • These cities were part of the Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization).

Why Are They Called Harappan Cities?
  • Harappa was the first city to be discovered in 1921 (Punjab, Pakistan).
  • Later, more sites like Mohenjo-Daro, Dholavira, and Lothal were found.


Discovery of Harappa – The Indus Valley Civilization


Who Discovered Harappa?
  • Harappa was discovered in 1921 by archaeologist Daya Ram Sahni.
  • Mohenjo-Daro was discovered in 1922 by R.D. Banerjee.

Where Was the Indus Valley Civilization Located?
  • It stretched across India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
  • Important cities include:
    • Harappa (Pakistan)
    • Mohenjo-Daro (Pakistan)
    • Dholavira (Gujarat, India)
    • Lothal (Gujarat, India – famous for its dockyard)


City Planning and Architecture


Harappan Cities Were Well-Planned

Divided into Two Parts:

  • Citadel (Upper Part) → For rulers, priests, important buildings.
  • Lower Town (Residential Area) → For common people.

Important Architectural Features
  • Great Bath (Mohenjo-Daro) → A large water tank for religious or bathing purposes.
  • Granaries → Huge storage buildings for grain.
  • Brick Houses → Houses were made of baked bricks, uniform in size.


Houses, Drains, and Streets


Houses in Harappan Cities
  • Made of baked bricks (very strong).
  • Single and multi-story houses with rooms built around a courtyard.
  • Houses had wells and bathrooms.

Drainage System
  • Advanced drainage system with covered drains.
  • Every house had a connected bathroom drain.
  • Drains had inspection holes for cleaning.

Streets and Roads
  • Wide, straight roads that cut at right angles.
  • Cities followed a grid pattern (blocks of houses and roads).



Life of the People – Occupations and Society


Occupations
  • Farmers → Grew wheat, barley, lentils, and cotton.
  • Craftsmen → Made beads, ornaments, pottery, and tools.
  • Traders → Traded with Mesopotamia, Persia, and Central Asia.
  • Fishermen and Boat Builders → Trade through rivers and sea routes.

Social Life
  • People wore cotton and woolen clothes.
  • Men and women wore jewelry, including bangles, necklaces, and earrings.
  • Children played with toys like carts and clay animals.
  • People enjoyed music and dance.



Trade and Contact with Other Civilizations


Local Trade
  • Harappans used weights and measures for trade.
  • They traded wheat, barley, cotton, pottery, and metal tools.

Foreign Trade
  • Traded with Mesopotamia, Persia (Iran), and Afghanistan.
  • Lothal (Gujarat) had a dockyard for sea trade.
  • Imported gold from Karnataka, silver from Afghanistan, and lapis lazuli from Iran.


Harappan Script and Artifacts


Harappan Script
  • Written on seals and pottery.
  • Still undeciphered (historians cannot read it yet).
  • Used pictographs (small pictures) to represent words.

Harappan Art and Crafts
  • Pottery → Beautifully painted red and black pots.
  • Jewelry → Gold, silver, and semi-precious stones.
  • Terracotta figurines → Clay models of animals and humans.
  • Seals → Made of stone, had animal carvings (used for trade).


Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization



Reason Explanation
Natural Disasters Floods, earthquakes, or river changes could have destroyed cities.
Deforestation Cutting trees for firewood led to soil erosion.
Decline in Trade Trade with Mesopotamia reduced, affecting economy.
Aryan Invasion Some historians believe Aryans attacked and destroyed cities.


Conclusion

  • Harappan Civilization was one of the world’s oldest urban civilizations.
  • Well-planned cities like Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, and Lothal had advanced drainage, roads, and buildings.
  • People were skilled farmers, traders, and craftsmen.
  • Harappans traded with Mesopotamia and other regions.
  • The civilization declined around 1900 BCE due to natural disasters, trade decline, and other factors.
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