Indus Civilisation – Detailed Summary
Book: Samacheer Kalvi 6th Social Science (Term 1)
Unit: Unit 3 (History)
Lesson Name: Indus Civilisation
About the Lesson
The "Indus Civilisation" chapter introduces one of the oldest and most advanced ancient civilizations in the world. It flourished along the banks of the river Indus. The chapter focuses on the remarkable urban planning, advanced drainage systems, unique architecture like the Great Bath, and the lifestyle of the Harappan people. It is a highly significant topic for all state-level competitive exams.
Detailed Concept Explanation
1. Discovery of the Civilisation
In 1924, Sir John Marshall (Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India) discovered common features between Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, confirming they were part of a large civilization.
• Harappa is older and is known as the "Buried City".
• Mohenjo-Daro means the "Mound of Dead".
• This civilization belongs to the Bronze Age (when people used bronze tools).
2. Amazing Town Planning
The Indus Civilisation is famous for its advanced urban planning. The cities were systematically divided into two parts:
• Upper Town (Citadel): Built on raised ground to the west. It had the Great Bath, granaries, and was used by administrators.
• Lower Town: Situated on the east, it was larger and inhabited by the common people.
The streets were laid out in a grid pattern, intersecting at right angles, and houses were built using standardized baked bricks.
3. The Great Bath and Drainage System
Found in Mohenjo-Daro, the Great Bath was a large, rectangular tank in a courtyard. It is one of the earliest public water tanks in the world. To make it watertight, the walls were coated with plaster and a layer of natural bitumen (tar).
The cities also had an excellent closed drainage system. Every house had its own soak pit, and drains were covered with slabs to maintain hygiene.
4. Agriculture and Trade (Lothal)
Agriculture was their main occupation. They grew wheat, barley, and cotton. They were active traders and used standardized weights and measures.
A massive naval dockyard was excavated at Lothal in Gujarat, located on a tributary of the Sabarmati River. This proves they had a strong maritime trade network, especially with Mesopotamia.
5. What the Harappans DID NOT Know
This is a very crucial exam point. Despite their advancements, the people of the Indus Civilisation had no knowledge of two things:
1. Iron: They used copper and bronze, but iron was unknown to them.
2. Horse: They tamed cattle, sheep, goats, and elephants, but the horse was completely unknown.
Main Fields of Study & Institutions
| Term / Institution | Important Fact |
|---|---|
| ASI | Archaeological Survey of India. Started in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham. Headquarters is in New Delhi. |
| Mehrgarh | A Neolithic site considered the precursor to the Indus Valley Civilisation. Located in Balochistan (Pakistan). |
| Zebu | The large breed of cattle domesticated by the Indus people. |
Important Exam Points (TNPSC & TET Focus)
| Topic | Important Point / Fact |
|---|---|
| Harappa means | Buried City |
| Mohenjo-Daro means | Mound of Dead |
| Unknown Metal | Iron |
| Unknown Animal | Horse |
| First Metal Discovered by Humans | Copper |
| Statue found in Mohenjo-Daro | The Dancing Girl (made of Bronze) |
| Lothal is located in | Gujarat (Naval Dockyard) |
| Material used to make Great Bath waterproof | Natural Bitumen (Tar) |
TET / TNPSC Repeated Question Areas
Very Important Focus: Pay close attention to these frequently asked questions:
- Which metal was unknown to the people of the Indus Valley Civilisation? (Iron)
- Where is the Great Bath located? (Mohenjo-Daro)
- Which city had a dockyard showing evidence of maritime trade? (Lothal)
- Who was the Director-General of ASI when Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were linked? (Sir John Marshall)
- What is the significance of the "Citadel"? (It was the raised western part used by administrators)
How to Write This in School Exams
For 2-Mark Questions: If asked "What do you know about the Great Bath?", mention that it is a water-tight rectangular tank found in Mohenjo-Daro, lined with bricks and coated with natural bitumen.
For Detail/Paragraph Answers: For a question on "Town Planning of Indus Civilisation," divide your answer into three points: 1) Division into Upper and Lower towns, 2) Use of baked bricks and grid-pattern streets, 3) Advanced closed drainage systems.
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