CLASS 12 – HISTORY Chapter 1 & Chapter 2
Chapter 1: Bricks, Beads and Bones – The Harappan Civilization
Introduction:
• Discusses the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), one of the earliest urban cultures in the world (c. 2600–1900 BCE).• Major sites: Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Dholavira, Lothal, Kalibangan.
Town Planning:
• Well-planned cities with grid patterns, drainage systems, citadel and lower town.
• Use of sun-dried and baked bricks in construction.
Economy:
• Agriculture (wheat, barley), trade (with Mesopotamia), and craft production (beads, seals, pottery).
• Specialized crafts: bead-making, seal carving, metal tools.
Script and Seals:
• Indus script (undeciphered).
• Seals used in trade, possibly for identification and ritual purposes.
Religion and Beliefs:
• No clear evidence of temples.
• Use of terracotta figurines, great bath, fire altars indicating ritual practices.
Decline:
• Theories: climate change, river shifts, floods, decline in trade.
Contents
Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Early States and Economies (c. 600 BCE – 600 CE)
Mahajanapadas:
• Emergence of 16 Mahajanapadas, including Magadha, Kosala, Avanti.
• Use of punch-marked coins, standing armies, and fortifications.
Mauryan Empire:
• Founded by Chandragupta Maurya (c. 321 BCE); most famous ruler Ashoka.
• Capital: Pataliputra.
• Sources: Arthashastra, Ashokan Edicts, Megasthenes’ Indica.
Economy and Society:
• Growth of agriculture, urban centers, and long-distance trade.
• Land grants and emergence of landed elites.
• Rise of Brahmanical dominance and varna system.
Towns and Traders:
• Cities like Mathura, Ujjayini, Puhar as trade centers.
• Guilds and shrenis (merchant associations).
• Use of inscriptions, Pali and Prakrit texts.
Religion:
• Spread of Buddhism and Jainism, patronage by kings.
• Stupas and monasteries constructed (e.g., Sanchi Stupa).
Multiple Choice Questions
- Most of the Harappan sites were located in which of the following areas?
(a) Semi-arid lands
(b) Fertile valleys
(c) Dense forests
(d) Snow-covered regions
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Most of the Harappan sites were located in semi-arid lands. - The first metal used by humans in India during the Chalcolithic period was:
(a) Iron
(b) Bronze
(c) Copper
(d) Gold
Answer: (c)
Explanation: In the Chalcolithic period (6,000 BP), copper and stone were used. It was also called the Stone-Copper Age. - Harappa is situated on the bank of which river?
(a) Sutlej
(b) Ravi
(c) Beas
(d) Indus
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Harappa lies on a now dry course of the Ravi River in Pakistan. - The site of Lothal is located between which rivers?
(a) Ganga and Yamuna
(b) Indus and Ravi
(c) Saraswati and Drishadvati
(d) Bhogava and Sabarmati
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Lothal lies between the Bhogava and the Sabarmati Rivers. - Which one of the following is true about the Harappan religion?
(a) Monotheism was prevalent.
(b) Fire worship was predominant.
(c) Nature worship was in vogue.
(d) Idol worship was unknown.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Nature worship was in vogue. - Which of the following is true about Harappan script?
(a) It has been deciphered.
(b) It contains long texts.
(c) It was alphabetical.
(d) Its writing remains undeciphered to date.
Answer: (d)
Explanation: The Harappan script remains undeciphered, with around 375–400 signs. - What do Lothal and Dholavira have in common?
(a) Both are port towns.
(b) They are both capitals.
(c) They are both near the coast.
(d) Both are in Punjab.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: They are both near the coast. - Who among the following excavated Harappa in 1946?
(a) Alexander Cunningham
(b) R.E.M. Wheeler
(c) John Marshall
(d) Dayaram Sahni
Answer: (b)
Explanation: R.E.M. Wheeler excavated Harappa in 1946. - Who remarked, “The Indus Civilisation is a puzzle for archaeologists”?
(a) Alexander Cunningham
(b) R.E.M. Wheeler
(c) S.N. Roy
(d) Mortimer Wheeler
Answer: (c)
Explanation: S.N. Roy - The Harappan civilisation is sometimes called the Mature Harappan culture because:
(a) It had a complex urban culture
(b) It had its own writing system
(c) It had a highly organized trade
(d) It evolved from the local pre-Harappan and early Harappan cultures
Answer: (d)
Explanation: It evolved from earlier Harappan cultures. - Harappan seals generally have:
(a) Animal motifs
(b) A line of writing
(c) Names and titles
(d) All of these
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Seals often contain a line of writing with owner details. - What is NOT true about the Harappan script?
(a) It has been deciphered by James Prinsep.
(b) It contains over 375 signs.
(c) It was not alphabetical.
(d) It was written right to left.
Answer: (a)
Explanation: The script has not been deciphered yet. - Who is considered the Father of Indian Archaeology?
(a) R.E.M. Wheeler
(b) James Prinsep
(c) Alexander Cunningham
(d) Daya Ram Sahni
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Alexander Cunningham - Which statements are correct about Harappan culture?
(1) It was urban
(2) It was spread over a vast area
(3) It had a script
(4) It lacked social organization
(a) (1) and (2)
(b) (1), (2) and (3)
(c) (2) and (4)
(d) (1), (3) and (4)
Answer: (b)
Explanation: (1), (2) and (3) are correct. - The earliest examples of Indian sculpture date back to:
(a) Medieval times
(b) Historical times
(c) Vedic times
(d) Proto-historic times
Answer: (d)
Explanation: They date back to proto-historic times. - The ploughed field at Harappan site was found at:
(a) Harappa
(b) Lothal
(c) Mohenjodaro
(d) Kalibangan
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Kalibangan - The most remarkable feature of the Harappan civilization was:
(a) Drainage system
(b) Urban planning
(c) Use of weights
(d) All of these
Answer: (d)
Explanation: All of these - The Junagadh rock inscription was made by:
(a) Rudradaman
(b) Chandragupta
(c) Ashoka
(d) Kanishka
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Rudradaman - Most early inscriptions were inscribed between:
(a) 5th and 7th century CE
(b) 10th and 12th century CE
(c) 4th and 6th century BCE
(d) 2nd century BCE and 2nd century CE
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Between 2nd BCE and 2nd CE - Most ancient Indian inscriptions were written in which language?
(a) Sanskrit
(b) Tamil
(c) Prakrit
(d) Pali
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Sanskrit - The Jajmani System became prevalent in:
(a) Vedic period
(b) The Post-Gupta period
(c) Sangam Age
(d) Mauryan Empire
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Post-Gupta period - A significant woman ruler of early India was:
(a) Razia Sultana
(b) Durgavati
(c) Ahilyabai
(d) Prabhavati Gupta
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Prabhavati Gupta - The earliest Tamil grammar is known as:
(a) Silappadikaram
(b) Manimekalai
(c) Tolkappiyam
(d) Kambaramayanam
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Tolkappiyam - Asokan inscriptions in the northwest were written in:
(a) Greek
(b) Brahmi
(c) Tamil
(d) Aramaic
Answer: (b)
Explanation: In the northwest, Asokan inscriptions were in Aramaic and Greek. - Bindusara succeeded whom?
(a) Ashoka
(b) Bimbisara
(c) Bindusara
(d) Chandragupta Maurya
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Bindusara succeeded Chandragupta. - Megalithic culture involved:
(a) Painted pottery
(b) Seals
(c) Script
(d) Burial stones
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Burial stones (megaliths) - Megasthenes was a:
(a) Greek ambassador
(b) Indian scholar
(c) Mauryan prince
(d) Buddhist monk
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Megasthenes - The most powerful Mahajanapada was:
(a) Kosala
(b) Magadha
(c) Avanti
(d) Kuru
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Magadha - Several Sati Pillars are found in:
(a) Delhi
(b) Eran
(c) Mathura
(d) Amravati
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Eran (Madhya Pradesh) - The Mahabharata in Tamil was composed by:
(a) Ilango Adigal
(b) Kamban
(c) Tiruvalluvar
(d) Perundevanar
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Perundevanar - Which titles were used by Ashoka in his inscriptions?
(a) Devanampiya, Piyadassi
(b) Ashokaraja
(c) Chakravartin
(d) Maharajadhiraja
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Devanampiya, Piyadassi - Who deciphered Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts?
(a) Alexander Cunningham
(b) R.E.M. Wheeler
(c) James Prinsep
(d) John Marshall
Answer: (c)
Explanation: James Prinsep - Which scripts were deciphered by James Prinsep?
(a) Greek and Latin
(b) Brahmi and Devanagari
(c) Brahmi and Kharosthi
(d) Tamil and Brahmi
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Brahmi and Kharosthi - The Kushans ruled over which region?
(a) Deccan
(b) South India
(c) Northwest India
(d) Bengal
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The Kushans - A: Nageshwar and Balakot were shell-making centres.
R: They were situated inland, away from the sea.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (c)
Explanation: A is true, but R is false – both sites were near the sea. - A: R.E.M. Wheeler attributed Mohenjodaro’s destruction to Indra.
R: Indra is called “puramdara” or fort destroyer in the Rigveda.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (c)
Explanation: A is true, R is false. - A: Re-examining data can reverse interpretations.
R: New archaeological discoveries help question old views.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Both are true and R explains A. - A: Deadman Lane was named by John Marshall.
R: It had a skeleton lying in the lane.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (c)
Explanation: A is true, R is false. - A: The Harappans worshipped animals.
R: No temple structures have been found.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (c)
Explanation: A is true, R is false. - A: Thousands of inscriptions have been deciphered.
R: Many inscriptions are faint or lost over time.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (d)
Explanation: A is false, R is true.
Prepared By: Anil Kumar
