Culture and the beginning of the Historic Period
Your grandmother's recipes, songs and festival customs came to her from her mother. Such inherited knowledge and ways of living are called culture. When people learnt to write all this down, a new period began.
Culture (संस्कृती) is the knowledge of arts, skills and traditions inherited from generation to generation, and the way of life built on it. When writing developed, the New Stone Age ended and the Historic Period (ऐतिहासिक काळ) began.
Rule 1: Writing and the Historic Period — For the historic period, written records are available as inscriptions, manuscripts and books. In all ancient civilizations the art of writing developed. With the rise of these civilizations, the New Stone Age ended and the Historic Period began.
In the figure : In the figure with writing, records were kept and the Historic Period began.
- Easy : Easy: Inscriptions are written records.
- Medium : Medium: Writing marks the start of the Historic Period.
- Exam-type : Exam: Writing developed in all ancient civilizations.
Rule 2: What culture means — Humans change their surroundings, cook food, make pots and bricks from clay and weave cloth from cotton yarn. This needs skills, thinking and planning, and gave rise to arts, which each generation handed on to the next while language grew richer. This inherited knowledge and the way of life based on it is culture.
In the figure : In the figure culture is what we inherit: arts, skills, traditions and the way of life built on them.
- Easy : Easy: Cooking and weaving are skills.
- Medium : Medium: Skills passed to the next generation form culture.
- Exam-type : Exam: Culture includes arts, skills, traditions and way of life.
Rule 3: Rivers and cultures — New Stone Age cultures were based on farming. Farming needs fertile soil and a steady supply of water, so village-settlements grew on river banks, and cultures flourished along them.
- Easy : Easy: Villages grew on river banks.
- Medium : Medium: Farming needs soil and water.
- Exam-type : Exam: Rivers supplied water to farms, so cultures flourished near them.
Writing starts the Historic Period. Culture = inherited arts, skills, traditions and way of life.
Thinking culture means only dance and songs. It is the whole way of life.
Memory clue: "लेखन आले = इतिहास सुरू".
Spot the difference
| Idea | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Culture | Inherited arts, skills, traditions, way of life |
| Historic Period | Written records available |
| River banks | Water and fertile soil for farming |
Practice questions
- 1What is culture?
- 2What began when writing developed?
- 3Name two written records.
- 4What do farming cultures need?
- 5Where did village-settlements grow?
- 6Give two examples of skills from the lesson.
- 7Why is writing so important for historians?
- 8How does a recipe passed from your grandmother show culture?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Inherited arts, skills, traditions and the way of life based on them.
- 2The Historic Period.
- 3Inscriptions and books (or manuscripts).
- 4Fertile soil and a steady water supply.
- 5On river banks.
- 6Making pots and weaving cloth.
- 7Written records tell exact facts and names that tools alone cannot.
- 8It is a skill handed from one generation to the next.
Early civilizations in river valleys
Four big cities of the world, in four different countries, were growing at nearly the same time, each beside a great river. Each city had streets, a script and traders. They are called early civilizations.
Early civilizations arose around 3000 BC in four river valleys: Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and Harappa (Indus valley). They are called Riverine Civilizations (नदीकाठच्या संस्कृती).
Rule 1: Why civilizations arose — New Stone Age cultures slowly grew into early civilizations. The main reasons were more production due to skills, use of the wheel, flourishing trade and well-developed scripts. The four civilizations came into existence in roughly the same period, around 3000 BC, in river valleys.
In the figure : In the figure four early civilizations grew in river valleys at about the same time.
- Easy : Easy: There were four early civilizations.
- Medium : Medium: They arose around 3000 BC.
- Exam-type : Exam: Production, the wheel, trade and scripts helped them arise.
Rule 2: Features of early civilizations — They had permanent settlements on river banks, use of copper and bronze, special craftsmen, centrally controlled water supply for irrigation, surplus production, a well-developed script, long-distance trade by wheeled vehicles and waterways, planned cities with protective walls and paved roads, fine buildings and sculptures, and progress in mathematics, astronomy and medicine.
In the figure : In the figure these features appeared in all four civilizations.
- Easy : Easy: Cities had paved roads.
- Medium : Medium: Craftsmen specialised in one craft each.
- Exam-type : Exam: A well-developed script and long-distance trade were common to all four.
Four river-valley civilizations, around 3000 BC: Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Harappa.
Thinking they were far apart in time. They arose at about the same time.
Memory clue: "मे-इ-ची-ह : मेसोपोटेमिया, इजिप्त, चीन, हडप्पा".
Spot the difference
| Civilization | River |
|---|---|
| Mesopotamia | Tigris and Euphrates |
| Egypt | Nile |
| China | Huang He |
| Harappa | Indus (Sindhu) |
Practice questions
- 1Around which year did the early civilizations arise?
- 2Name the four early civilizations.
- 3Why are they called riverine civilizations?
- 4Name two reasons early civilizations arose.
- 5Which two metals did they use?
- 6Match: Nile, Indus, Huang He.
- 7Why was a script important for trade?
- 8Why did cities need central control of water?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Around 3000 BC.
- 2Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and Harappa.
- 3They grew in river valleys.
- 4Use of the wheel and flourishing trade (also higher production, scripts).
- 5Copper and bronze.
- 6Nile: Egypt. Indus: Harappa. Huang He: China.
- 7Traders could record goods, prices and agreements.
- 8Canals and irrigation had to be shared fairly and maintained for all farmers.
Mesopotamia, Egypt and China
Imagine three big gardens: one between two rivers, one watered by a river that floods every year, and one beside a yellow river. People of these three places built great civilizations.
Mesopotamia (मेसोपोटेमिया) means "the land between two rivers", the Tigris and the Euphrates. Egypt (इजिप्त) grew along the Nile. China (चीन) grew in the valley of the Huang He.
Rule 1: Mesopotamia — Its great cities were Ur, Uruk and Nippur. Its four civilizations were Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian and Assyrian. Trade with the Harappan Civilization flourished under the Akkadian emperor Sargon. Hammurabi, king of Babylon (1792–1750 BC), gave a famous written law code.
In the figure : In the figure Mesopotamia means the land between two rivers.
- Easy : Easy: Ur and Uruk were Mesopotamian cities.
- Medium : Medium: Hammurabi ruled Babylon.
- Exam-type : Exam: Hammurabi ruled for 1792 − 1750 = 42 years (BC dates).
Rule 2: Egypt — The Nile floods every year and the flood deposits make the land fertile. The Egyptians built small embankments to store flood water for irrigation. They were famous for pyramids and temples, ships, mathematics, medicine and making paper from papyrus. Their kings were called Pharaohs.
In the figure : In the figure the yearly Nile flood made the Egyptian land fertile.
- Easy : Easy: Egyptian kings were Pharaohs.
- Medium : Medium: Papyrus was used to make paper.
- Exam-type : Exam: Flood deposits made Nile land fertile.
Rule 3: China — The Chinese civilization developed in the Huang He valley. By tradition, king Huangdi brought agriculture, animal husbandry, wheeled carts, chariots, boats and clothing, and his queen discovered how to produce silk. Important cities were Luoyang, Beijing and Chang'an.
In the figure : In the figure Chinese civilization grew in the Huang He valley.
- Easy : Easy: Silk came from China.
- Medium : Medium: Huang He valley was the home of Chinese civilization.
- Exam-type : Exam: Luoyang, Beijing and Chang'an were important Chinese cities.
Mesopotamia: between Tigris and Euphrates. Egypt: Nile floods. China: Huang He, silk.
Mixing up the rivers. Match each civilization with its own river.
Memory clue: "मेसोपोटेमिया = मधली जमीन".
Spot the difference
| Civilization | River | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Mesopotamia | Tigris, Euphrates | Hammurabi's law code |
| Egypt | Nile | Pyramids, papyrus |
| China | Huang He | Silk |
Practice questions
- 1What does Mesopotamia mean?
- 2Name the two rivers of Mesopotamia.
- 3Name two cities of Mesopotamia.
- 4Who was Hammurabi?
- 5What were Egyptian kings called?
- 6Why was the Nile important for Egypt?
- 7From which river valley did Chinese civilization develop, and what did the queen discover?
- 8How many years did Hammurabi rule?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1The land between two rivers.
- 2Tigris and Euphrates.
- 3Ur and Uruk.
- 4King of Babylon (1792–1750 BC) who gave a written law code.
- 5Pharaohs.
- 6Its yearly flood made the land fertile.
- 7The Huang He valley; silk production.
- 81792 − 1750 = 42 years.
The Harappan Civilization
In 1856, when workers laid a railway line in Punjab, they used old bricks from nearby mounds as the base. They did not know those bricks came from one of the world's oldest planned cities, Harappa.
The Harappan Civilization (हडप्पा संस्कृती) flourished in the Indus valley ("Indus" is the English form of Sindhu). Its script is not yet read, so the period is called Protohistoric (आद्य ऐतिहासिक).
Rule 1: Sites and discovery — Harappa (Punjab) and Mohen-jo-daro (Sind), now in Pakistan, were found first. Lothal and Dhola Vira (Gujarat) and Kalibangan (Rajasthan) are famous sites in India. Excavation of Harappa began in 1921 and of Mohen-jo-daro in 1922. In 1924 Sir John Marshall announced to the world that a new, ancient civilization had been found.
- Easy : Easy: Harappa was found first.
- Medium : Medium: Lothal is in Gujarat.
- Exam-type : Exam: Excavation began in 1921–22, which is 2026 − 1921 = 105 years ago.
Rule 2: Town planning and crafts — Houses stood in blocks made by parallel roads crossing at right angles. There were huge granaries, a bathroom and latrine in every house, covered drains, and private and public wells. Cities were divided into two to four fortified parts. Pots were well baked and red with pipal-leaf and fish-scale designs. Craftsmen made bronze objects and beads of semi-precious stones that Mesopotamia wanted. People worshipped "Pashupati" and a Mother Goddess.
In the figure : In the figure Harappan cities were planned, with roads crossing at right angles, granaries, bathrooms and covered drains.
In the figure : In the figure Harappan craftsmen made goods that were in demand in Mesopotamia.
- Easy : Easy: Every house had a bathroom.
- Medium : Medium: Roads crossed at right angles.
- Exam-type : Exam: Beads and bronze goods were sold to Mesopotamia.
Harappa: planned cities, drains, bathrooms; script unread.
Saying the script has been read. It is still unread.
Memory clue: "हडप्पा = आखीव-रेखीव शहर".
Spot the difference
| Feature | Harappan example |
|---|---|
| Streets | Cross at right angles |
| Drains | Covered |
| Pots | Red, pipal-leaf designs |
| Script | Not yet read |
Practice questions
- 1Where did the Harappan Civilization flourish?
- 2Name two Harappan sites in India.
- 3When did excavations begin?
- 4Name two features of Harappan town planning.
- 5Why is this period called Protohistoric?
- 6What did Harappan craftsmen make that Mesopotamia wanted?
- 7Why did cities have covered drains and bathrooms in every house?
- 8The railway workers of 1856 used Harappan bricks without knowing. What does this tell us?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1In the Indus valley.
- 2Lothal and Kalibangan (or Dhola Vira).
- 31921–22.
- 4Roads crossing at right angles and covered drains.
- 5The Harappan script has not been read yet.
- 6Bronze objects and beads of semi-precious stones.
- 7To keep the city clean and healthy.
- 8Old remains can be lost if people do not know their value, so we must protect them.
Sports, entertainment and music
After homework, children today play carrom or video games. People in ancient cities also had fun: they played board games, wrestled, danced and played music.
Ancient people enjoyed sports, board games, toys, music and dance. These show how they lived beyond work.
Rule 1: Sports and games — Hunting and wrestling were important sports. Games with game boards and gamesmen were popular. In Egypt a game like chess, called "Senat", was played. Harappan toys included whirls, whistles, rattles and bullock carts.
In the figure : In the figure people of the early civilizations enjoyed sports, games and toys.
- Easy : Easy: Children had toy bullock carts.
- Medium : Medium: Wrestling was an important sport.
- Exam-type : Exam: "Senat" was an Egyptian game like chess.
Rule 2: Music and dance — Music and dance were an essential part of festivals. In Mesopotamia a stringed instrument called the Balag was popular. A golden Balag with 11 strings, about 2650 BC, was found at Ur in the burial of queen Puabi. A bronze image of a dancer found at Mohen-jo-daro shows the importance of dance in Harappan life.
In the figure : In the figure music and dance were part of festivals.
- Easy : Easy: Balag is a musical instrument.
- Medium : Medium: A bronze dancer was found at Mohen-jo-daro.
- Exam-type : Exam: The golden Balag was found at Ur in queen Puabi's burial.
Games, toys, music and dance existed in early civilizations. Balag: Mesopotamia; dancer: Mohen-jo-daro.
Thinking ancient people only worked. They played and celebrated too.
Memory clue: "सेनात = इजिप्त, बालाग = मेसोपोटेमिया, नर्तिका = हडप्पा".
Spot the difference
| Item | Where |
|---|---|
| Senat (board game) | Egypt |
| Balag (instrument) | Mesopotamia |
| Bronze dancer | Mohen-jo-daro (Harappa) |
| Toy bullock carts | Harappa |
Practice questions
- 1Name two important sports of early civilizations.
- 2Which Egyptian game was like chess?
- 3Name two Harappan toys.
- 4What was a Balag?
- 5Where was the golden Balag found?
- 6What does the bronze dancer of Mohen-jo-daro show?
- 7The golden Balag is about 2650 BC. About how many years old is it now?
- 8How do toys and music help historians?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Hunting and wrestling.
- 2Senat.
- 3Whistles and toy bullock carts (also rattles, whirls).
- 4A stringed musical instrument of Mesopotamia.
- 5At Ur, in queen Puabi's burial.
- 6The importance of dance in Harappan life.
- 72650 + 2026 = about 4676 years.
- 8They show how ordinary people lived, played and celebrated.
Quick revision
- Culture is inherited arts, skills, traditions and the way of life based on them.
- Four riverine civilizations arose around 3000 BC: Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and Harappa.
- Harappan cities were planned, with drains and bathrooms; its script is still unread.