Discuss the functions that may have been performed by rulers in Harappan society.
There are different views on the Harappan society. One group of archaeologists suggest that the Harappan society had no rulers and so everybody enjoyed equal status.
The other group of archaeologists are of the opinion that there was no single ruler but several ones. The third theory seems the most suitable. It suggests that it is unlikely that entire communities could have collectively made and implemented such complex decisions. Evidence shows that complex decisions were taken and implemented in the Harappan society. Extra ordinary uniformity of Harappan artefacts as evident in pottery, seals, weights and bricks show the complex decisions. Plans and layouts of the city were prepared under the guidance and supervision of the rulers. Big buildings, palaces, forts, tanks, wells, canals and granaries were constructed.
Cleanliness was the responsibility of the ruler. Roads, lanes and drains were also constructed. The rulers also looked after the welfare of the economy. They used to inspire the farmers to increase agricultural production. They also motivated the craftsmen to promote different handicrafts. External and internal trade were both promoted by the ruler. The ruler used to issue common acceptable coins or seals, weights and measurements. Rulers were expected to provide relief during natural calamity. During flood, earthquake, epidemics, the ruler provided grains and other eatables to the affected people. During foreign aggression, the rulers defended the city.
Popular Questions of Class 12 History - Themes in Indian History - I
- Q:-
Discuss whether the Mahabharata could have been the work of a single author.
- Q:-
How do historians reconstruct the lives of ordinary people?
- Q:-
Discuss whether kings in early states were invariably Kshatriyas.
- Q:-
How important were gender differences in early societies? Give reasons for your answer.
- Q:-
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.
- Q:-
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?
- Q:-
Discuss the evidence that suggests that Brahmanical prescriptions about kinship and marriage were not universally followed.
- Q:-
Describe some of the distinctive features of Mohenjodaro.
- Q:-
Describe the salient features of mahajanapadas.
- Q:-
Were the ideas of the Upanishadic thinkers different from those of the fatalists and materialists? Give reasons for your answer.
Recently Viewed Questions of Class 12 History - Themes in Indian History - I
- Q:-
To what extent were agricultural practices transformed in the period under consideration?
- Q:-
List the raw materials required for craft production in the Harappan civilisation and discuss how these might have been obtained.
- Q:-
Discuss the evidence of craft production in Early Historic cities. In what ways is this different from the evidence from Harappan cities?
- Q:-
Would you agree that the drainage system in Harappan cities indicates town planning? Give reasons for your answer.
- Q:-
Describe some of the distinctive features of Mohenjodaro.
- Q:-
Discuss the development in sculpture and architecture associated with the rise of Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
- Q:-
Describe the salient features of mahajanapadas.
- Q:-
List the materials used to make beads in the Harappan civilisation. Describe the process by which any one kind of bead was made.
- Q:-
List the items of food available to people in Harappan cities. Identify the groups who would have provided these.
- Q:-
Discuss the role of the begums of Bhopal in preserving the stupa at Sanchi.
- NCERT Chapter