Q14 of 18 Page 1

Read the following excerpt carefully and answer the questions that follow:

THE MOST ANCIENT SYSTEM YET DISCOVERED


About the drains, Mackay noted: “It is certainly the most complete ancient System as yet discovered.” Every house was connected to the street drains. The main channels were made of bricks set in mortar.


They were covered with loose bricks that could be removed for cleaning. In some cases, limestone was used for the covers. House drains first emptied into a sump or cesspit into which solid matter settled while wastewater flowed out into the street drains. Very long drainage channels were provided at intervals with sumps for Cleaning. It is a wonder of archaeology that “little heaps of material, mostly sand, have frequently been found lying alongside drainage channels, which shows… that the debris was not always carted away when the drain was cleared.” From Ernest Mackay, Early Indus Civilization, 1948 drainage systems were not unique to the larger cities but were found in smaller settlements as well. At Lothal for example, while houses were built of mud bricks, drains were made from burnt bricks.


i. Why has MacKay described this system as complete ancient


drainage system?


ii. Was the drainage system similar in large & small settlements of of Harappa? Support your answer with Facts.


iii. How were the drains covered?

i. Mackay has described this system as a complete ancient drainage system because it was unique, well planned, clean and systematic. It was just like the contemporary civilization especially the drainage system. 2


ii. Yes, drainage systems were similar in large and small settlements of Harappa. For example, in a small settlement like the Lethal drainage and a large city like Mohenjo Daro.


iii. The features of the drainage system were:


a) Every house was connected with the street drain.


b) The main channel was made of brick set in mortar and was covered with loose bricks that could be removed for cleaning.


c) In some cases, limestone was used for the covers.


d) House drains first emptied into a specific cesspit into which the solid matter settled while the wastewater flowed down into the street drain.


e) A very long drainage channel was also provided at intervals with sumps for cleaning


More from this chapter

All 18 →
12

Explain the role of zamindars in the Mughal India during 16th -17th century.

OR


Examine the role of Panchayats in the rural society of Mughal Empire.

 13

Describe the sources from which we can reconstruct the political career of Gandhiji and the history of nationalist movement.

OR


How did the Salt March of 1930 mark a critical important stage in the progress of the anti-imperialist struggle in India? Explain.

 15

. Read the following excerpt carefully and answer the questions that follow:

THERE CANNOT BE ANY DIVIDED LOYALITY


Gobind Ballabh pant argued that in order to become loyal citizens, people had to stop focusing only on the community and the self:


For the success of the democracy one must train him in the art of self- discipline. In democracies one should care less for him and more for others. There cannot be any divided loyalty. All loyalties must exclusively be centered on the state. If in a democracy, you create rival loyalties, or you create a system in which any individual or the group, instead of suppressing his extravagance, cares not for larger or other interest, then democracy is doomed.


i. Why did G.B. Pant want to see people as loyal citizens?


ii. What are the criteria for the success of democracy?


iii. How does G.B. Pant define the attributes of a loyal citizen?

 16

Read the following excerpt carefully and answer the questions that follow:

RITUALS AND THE REAL WORLD


Here is a vachana composed by Basavanna;


When they see a serpent carved in stone, they pour milk on it.


If a real serpent comes, they say: ‘kill’, ‘kill’.


To the servant of the god who could eat if served they say; ‘Go away’, ‘Go away’!


But to the image of the god which cannot eat they offer dishes of food.


i. Who was Basavanna?


ii. From which cult & region he belonged to?


iii. Describe Basavanna’s attitude towards rituals.