NCERT Solutions History Chapter 1: Writing and City Life

Writing and City Life – Class 11 NCERT Solution discusses the development of writing and its impact on urban life. It also explores the different ways in which writing was used in cities, such as for record-keeping, communication, and education. These NCERT Solutions are prepared by our Top Social Science Experts to take care of all Important Topics that might be asked in the upcoming examination 2024-2025. So, Students can refer to these solutions for their final Examination preparation.

This Class 11 Social Science Chapter 1 Writing and City Life NCERT Solutions are carefully developed using easy-to-understand language while adhering to the guidelines for solving NCERT Solutions for Class 11. Working through these solutions can be highly beneficial for students in their board exams, as well as in preparing for future competitive Exams.

NCERT Solutions Class 11 Social Science Chapter 1 – Writing and City Life

Exercise Page No 10

Q. Many societies have myths about floods. These are often ways of preserving and expressing memories about important changes in history. Find out more about these, noting how life before and after the flood is represented.

Answer:

Flood myths found across various cultures often show life before the flood as prosperous and harmonious, with society flourishing. However, after the flood, there is typically chaos and devastation, requiring society to rebuild. Floods are often portrayed as cataclysmic events that influence the landscape and alter history. They may symbolize divine punishment for human wrongdoing or serve as a metaphor for cleansing and renewal, offering the chance for a fresh start. These myths provide symbolic narratives reflecting societies’ interpretations of natural disasters and their impact on human experiences and collective memory.

Exercise Page No 12

Q. Discuss whether city life would have been possible without the use of metals.

Answer:

City life without the use of metals would have been significantly hindered. Metals were essential for tools, infrastructure, trade, defense, and artistic expression. Without them, urban development, economic prosperity, and security would have been severely limited.

Exercise Page No 23

Q. Trace the route from the entrance to the inner court. What do you think would have been kept in the storerooms? How has the kitchen been identified?

Answer:

The route from the entrance to the inner court likely passed through reception areas and administrative offices, with storerooms for supplies like food and textiles along the way. These storerooms would facilitate easy access to essentials for residents and staff. The kitchen could be identified by its layout, equipment, and proximity to dining areas, with features like hearths, cooking utensils, and storage jars indicating its location. It would likely be situated near dining halls for efficient meal service.

Exercise Page No 27

Q. Why do you think Assurbanipal and Nabonidus cherished early Mesopotamian traditions?

Answer:

Assurbanipal and Nabonidus likely cherished early Mesopotamian traditions for their cultural identity, political stability, religious significance, and historical legacy. Maintaining these traditions helped strengthen their rule by encouraging loyalty among the populace, demonstrating piety, and honoring the achievements of their ancestors.

Exercise Page No. 28

Q1. Why do we say that it was not natural fertility and high levels of food production that were the causes of early urbanisation?

Answer:

Natural fertility and high food production cannot be the only reasons for early urbanization; there are other complex elements involved as well. Although it is a significant factor, agricultural production is not the only one. Social complexity, including the need for specialized labor beyond subsistence farming, plays an important role. Additionally, resource distribution and the ability to control surplus production are key factors.

Technological innovations such as irrigation systems and advanced agricultural techniques also contribute to urbanization. Trade networks and the ability to access and participate in commerce are equally important. Cultural and political dynamics, like religious beliefs, warfare, and political centralization, also influence urban development. Therefore, urbanization results from a combination of social, economic, technological, and political factors rather than solely from abundant food resources.

Q2. Which of the following were necessary conditions and which the causes, of early urbanisation, and which would you say were the outcome of the growth of cities:

(a) highly productive agriculture, (b) water transport, (c) the lack of metal and stone, (d) the division of labour, (e) the use of seals, (f) the military power of kings that made labour compulsory?

Answer:

In the context of early urbanization:

Necessary Conditions:

(a) Highly productive agriculture – Necessary condition: It provides the foundational surplus food production needed to support urban populations.

(b) Water transport – Necessary condition: Facilitates trade and transportation of goods, crucial for urban development.

Causes:

(d) The division of labor – Cause: Allows for specialization beyond basic agricultural activities, contributing to the complexity of urban societies.

(e) The use of seals – Cause: Indicates the development of administrative systems and centralized authority, which are characteristic of urban centers.

(f) The military power of kings that made labor compulsory – Cause: Centralized authority enforced through military power can drive labor organization and urban development.

Outcome of the Growth of Cities:

(b)The lack of metal and stone – Outcome: Cities may face resource scarcity due to high demand, leading to the exploration of alternative materials or trade networks.

Q3. Why were mobile animal herders not necessarily a threat to town life?

Answer:

Mobile animal herders were not necessarily a threat to town life because their resource needs often differed from those of urban settlements, reducing competition. Additionally, they frequently engaged in complementary economic activities, trading goods with urban centers. Nomadic herders could supply valuable resources to towns, promoting mutually beneficial relationships. Their lifestyle and priorities often centered around mobility rather than territorial expansion, contributing to peaceful coexistence. Overall, while tensions could arise, interactions between mobile herders and urban communities often supported economic exchange and social stability in the region.

Q4. Why would the early temple have been much like a house?

Answer:

The early temple would have been much like a house due to several reasons:

• Early temples served not only as places of worship but also as community centers where various social, administrative, and economic activities took place. Like houses, they provided shelter and a central gathering space for people.
• In many ancient cultures, early temples shared architectural features with residential buildings, such as enclosed spaces, walls, and entrances. This similarity reflects the notion of the temple as a sacred home for the deity worshipped there.
• Equating the temple with a house symbolized the idea of the deity dwelling among its worshippers, creating a sense of intimacy and accessibility to the divine. This symbolic association reinforced the connection between the sacred and the mundane aspects of life.
• In societies where households held significant social and religious importance, likening the temple to a house would have resonated with people’s understanding of communal life and spirituality.

Q5. Of the new institutions that came into being once city life had begun, which would have depended on the initiative of the king?

Answer:

Of the new institutions emerging with urbanization, several depended on the king’s initiative. The establishment of centralized administration, including bureaucratic structures and legal structures, required royal intervention to ensure effective governance. Construction and oversight of temples, important religious and administrative centers, often fell under the king’s purview, necessitating resource allocation and appointment of officials. Roads and irrigation systems, which are necessary for a city to function, are examples of public infrastructure that was probably funded by royal efforts.

The king’s role extended to military matters, organizing defense forces and fortifying city walls to safeguard against external threats. Additionally, regulating trade and commerce within the city and beyond fell within the king’s realm, ensuring economic stability and growth. Thus, the king played a central role in initiating and guiding various institutions vital for urban governance, development, and prosperity.

Q6. What do ancient stories tell us about the civilisation of Mesopotamia?

Answer:

Ancient stories provide information into the civilization of Mesopotamia, highlighting its rich cultural, religious, and social fabric. Epic tales such as the “Epic of Gilgamesh” reveal Mesopotamian beliefs about heroism, mortality, and the human condition. These stories also show the complex relationship between humans and gods, reflecting the importance of divine intervention in Mesopotamian life. Myths and legends also explain Mesopotamian worldview and cosmology, including creation stories and ideas of the afterlife.

The Code of Hammurabi, a legal text, offers a glimpse into Mesopotamian legal and social systems, emphasizing justice, hierarchy, and the role of the king. Moreover, stories of ancient rulers like Sargon of Akkad and Hammurabi explain the political and military achievements of Mesopotamian civilizations. In general, these stories offer invaluable knowledge of the complexity and perfection of Mesopotamian civilization.

Summary – NCERT Solutions History Chapter 1: Writing and City Life

The first chapter of NCERT History for Class 11 is titled “Writing and City Life”. This chapter discusses the development of writing and its impact on urban life. It also explores the different ways in which writing was used in cities, such as for record-keeping, communication, and education. The chapter begins by discussing the origins of writing. It is believed that writing first developed in Mesopotamia around 3500 BC. The Mesopotamians used writing to record their business transactions, religious beliefs, and laws. The chapter concludes by discussing the impact of writing on urban life. Writing helped to create a more complex and sophisticated society. It allowed for the development of new ideas and technologies. Writing also helped to create a sense of community among city dwellers.

NCERT Solutions History Chapter 1: Writing and City Life- FAQs

What is the significance of the earliest cities in human history?

The earliest cities represent key milestones in human civilization, marking the transition from rural to urban life.

How did writing contribute to the development of early cities?

Writing facilitated record-keeping, administrative functions, and communication, essential for the organization and governance of urban centers.

What were some characteristics of early Mesopotamian cities?

Early Mesopotamian cities featured centralized authority, specialized labor, monumental architecture, and complex social hierarchies.

What role did religion play in early urban societies?

Religion was central to early urban life, with temples serving as religious and administrative centers, and religious beliefs influencing societal norms and practices.

How did trade and commerce influence the growth of ancient cities?

Trade and commerce encouraged economic prosperity, cultural exchange, and the development of urban centers as hubs of regional and international exchange.