English PSSSB Practice 21

Oldest name: Indus Civilization Most appropriate name (archaeological tradition): Harappan Civilization (since Harappa was the first discovered site). A.J. Toynbee (British historian) called it the Indus Civilization. Geographical name: Indus-Saraswati Civilization (since about 80% of the settlements were along the Saraswati River valley). Most accepted period: 2500 B.C.-1750 B.C. (Carbon-14 dating). John Marshall was the first scholar to use the term Indus Civilization. Belongs to the Proto-Historic Period (Chalcolithic/Bronze Age). Extent: The Indus Civilization spread over Sindh, Baluchistan, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Western U.P., and Northern Maharashtra. Heartland: Harappa-Ghaggar-Mohenjodaro axis. Northernmost site: Earlier - Ropar (Sutlej, Punjab); Now - Manda (Chenab, Jammu & Kashmir). Southernmost site: Earlier - Bhagatrav (Kim, Gujarat); Now - Daimabad (Pravara, Maharashtra). Easternmost site: Alamgirpur (Hindon, Uttar Pradesh). Westernmost site: Sutkagendor (Dasht River, Makran Coast, Pakistan-Iran border). Major Cities: Capitals: Harappa, Mohenjodaro Port cities: Lothal, Sutkagendor, Allahdino, Balakot, Kuntasi Largest site overall: Mohenjodaro Largest site in India: Rakhigarhi Features of Major Cities: Systematic town-planning on the grid system Use of burnt bricks in construction Underground drainage system (Dholavira had giant water reservoirs) Fortified citadel (exception: Chanhudaro) Special sites: Surkotada (Kutch, Gujarat) - the only Indus site where remains of a horse have been found. Agriculture: Main crops: Wheat and Barley Evidence of Rice cultivation at Lothal and Rangpur (Gujarat).