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The Harappan Civilisation — Syllabus

ICSE · Class 9 · History & Civics

What The Harappan Civilisation covers in ICSE Class 9 History & Civics: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session. Topics include Discovery and naming, Sources.

56 questions38 flashcards5 concepts

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A map showing the geographical locations of the four major Bronze Age Civilizations: Harappan, Mesopotamian, Chinese, and Egyptian, around 2500 BCE.
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4 Topics · ICSE Class 9 History & Civics · 2026-27

Topics in The Harappan Civilisation

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1. Discovery and naming

  • The civilisation is named after Harappa, the first major site discovered in 1921 in West Punjab, now in Pakistan.
  • It is also called the Indus Valley Civilisation because important early sites were found in the Indus valley.
  • The discovery pushed back Indian history by at least a thousand years.
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2. Sources of information

  • Knowledge of the Harappan civilisation is based entirely on archaeological remains because the script remains undeciphered.
  • Important sources include the Great Bath, the Citadel, seals, the Bearded Man, the Dancing Girl, the dockyard, and the script.
  • About 2000 Harappan seals have been discovered.
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3. Bronze Age background and growth of civilisation

  • The Chalcolithic Period was the period when man used both stone and copper tools.
  • Bronze is harder and more ductile than copper, so it was better for tools and weapons.
  • Because bronze was important in early civilisation, these civilisations are called Bronze Age Civilisations.
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4. Extent and major cities

  • The Harappan civilisation covered about 1.3 million sq. km and was the largest area among ancient civilisations.
  • Its shape is triangular.
  • It extended from Sutkagendor in the west to Alamgirpur in the east and from Manda in the north to Bhagatrav in the south.

Key Concepts

Central concept: Harappan Civilisation

Bronze Age CivilisationOrigin and discoverySources of informationUrban planningTrade and transportArt and craftScript and sealsDholavira

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in The Harappan Civilisation for ICSE Class 9 History & Civics?
Key topics in The Harappan Civilisation include Discovery and naming, Sources of information, Bronze Age background and growth of civilisation, Extent and major cities. Study these first, then practise questions on each for Class 9 exams.
How should I revise The Harappan Civilisation for Class 9 exams?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 56 practice questions on The Harappan Civilisation. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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