On Map 1, use a pencil to circle sites w | Class 12 History - Themes in Indian History - I Chapter Bricks, Beads and Bones, Bricks, Beads and Bones NCERT Solutions

Discuss whether the Mahabharata could have been the work of a single author.

How do historians reconstruct the lives of ordinary people?

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?

Discuss whether kings in early states were invariably Kshatriyas.

How important were gender differences in early societies? Give reasons for your answer.

Discuss the evidence that suggests that Brahmanical prescriptions about kinship and marriage were not universally followed.

Describe some of the distinctive features of Mohenjodaro.

Describe the salient features of mahajanapadas.

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 the role of the begums of Bhopal in preserving the stupa at Sanchi.

Compare and contrast the dharma or norms mentioned in the stories of Drona, Hidimba and Matanga.

Explain why patriliny may have been particularly important among elite families.

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?

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 how archaeologists reconstruct the past.

Discuss how and why stupas were built.

Describe the salient features of mahajanapadas.

Figs. 4.32 and 4.33 are two scenes from Sanchi. Describe what you see in each of them, focusing on the architecture, plants and animals, and the activities. Identify which one shows a rural scene and which an urban scene, giving reasons for your answer.

To what extent does knowledge of Buddhist literature help in understanding the sculpture at Sanchi?

List some of the problems faced by epigraphists.