How do archaeologists trace socio-economic differences in Harappan society? What are the differences that they notice?
Following examples can be cited to show the existence of social and economic variations in the Harappan society:
Study of burials is one example. In the Harappan sites, the dead were usually laid in pits. There were differences in the Way burial pits were made. At some instances, the hollowed-out spaces were lined with bricks. But these may not be taken as an indication of social differences.
In some graves pottery and ornaments have been found. Jewellery has been found from the graves of men and women as well. These findings can point out social and economic differences.
The artefacts have been classified into two categories, Utilitarian and Luxurious. Objects of daily uses and objects made of ordinary materials made of clay or stone come under the utilitarian category. Ordinary articles consisted of querns, pottery, flesh-rubbers and needles. These have been found distributed throughout settlements.
Objects of luxuries were rare and made from precious, non-local materials. The technology used was advanced and complicated. Little pots of faience were considered precious. They were also not easy to make. These show the existence of social and economic variations in the Harappan society.
Look at Fig. 1.30 and describe what you see. How is the body placed? What are the objects placed near it? Are there any artefacts on the body? Do these indicate the sex of the skeleton?
On Map 1, use a pencil to circle sites where evidence of agriculture has been recovered. Mark an X against sites where there is evidence of craft production and R against sites where raw materials were found.
Describe some of the distinctive features of Mohenjodaro.
List the materials used to make beads in the Harappan civilisation. Describe the process by which any one kind of bead was made.
List the items of food available to people in Harappan cities. Identify the groups who would have provided these.
Discuss how archaeologists reconstruct the past.
List the raw materials required for craft production in the Harappan civilisation and discuss how these might have been obtained.
Discuss the functions that may have been performed by rulers in Harappan society.
Would you agree that the drainage system in Harappan cities indicates town planning? Give reasons for your answer.
Discuss the evidence of craft production in Early Historic cities. In what ways is this different from the evidence from Harappan cities?
Explain why patriliny may have been particularly important among elite families.
Were the ideas of the Upanishadic thinkers different from those of the fatalists and materialists? Give reasons for your answer.
Describe the salient features of mahajanapadas.
Discuss whether kings in early states were invariably Kshatriyas.
Summarise the central teachings of Jainism.
How do historians reconstruct the lives of ordinary people?
Compare and contrast the dharma or norms mentioned in the stories of Drona, Hidimba and Matanga.
Discuss the role of the begums of Bhopal in preserving the stupa at Sanchi.
Compare and contrast the list of things given to the Pandyan chief (Source 3) with those produced in the village of Danguna (Source 8). Do you notice any similarities or differences?
Describe the salient features of mahajanapadas.
Explain why patriliny may have been particularly important among elite families.
Discuss the notions of kingship that developed in the post-Mauryan period.
How do historians reconstruct the lives of ordinary people?
Discuss the main features of Mauryan administration. Which of these elements are evident in the Asokan inscriptions that you have studied?
This is a statement made by one of the best-known epigraphists of the twentieth century, D.C. Sircar: “There is no aspect of life, culture and activities of the Indians that is not reflected in inscriptions.” Discuss.
Discuss whether the Mahabharata could have been the work of a single author.
Discuss the role of the begums of Bhopal in preserving the stupa at Sanchi.
In what ways was the Buddhist theory of a social contract different from the Brahmanical view of society derived from the Purusha sukta?
Why do you think women and men joined the sangha?