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The NCERT Class 11 History Chapter 1: Early Societies from Themes in World History explores the evolution of human societies from 60,000 years ago to around 600 BCE. It covers the transition from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled farming communities and early urban societies, focusing on developments like tool-making, language, art, agriculture, and urbanisation in regions like Africa, Europe, and Mesopotamia. This section provides detailed solutions to the chapter’s exercise questions, offering clear explanations to help CBSE students understand key historical concepts and prepare for exams.
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NCERT Solutions Class 11 Themes in World History Chapter 1: Early Societies
This section provides clear solutions for Class 11 Themes in World History Chapter 1: Early Societies. The detailed explanations below help students grasp the subject thoroughly.
Exercise
(Answer in Brief)
- Why do we say that it was not natural fertility and high levels of food production that were the causes of early urbanisation?
Answer: We say this because urbanisation in early societies, such as in Mesopotamia, relied on more than just natural fertility and high food production. The chapter explains that while fertile land (e.g., the Fertile Crescent) supported agriculture, urban growth depended on organised irrigation systems, division of labour, and administrative control. Natural fertility alone was insufficient without human efforts like canal building and surplus management, which enabled the rise of cities like Uruk by 3,000 BCE.
- 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:- Necessary Conditions:
(a) Highly productive agriculture – Essential for food surpluses to sustain growing populations, as seen in Mesopotamian farming of wheat and barley.
(b) Water transport – Crucial for trade and resource movement, supporting cities like Ur near rivers. - Causes:
(d) The division of labour – Enabled specialisation (e.g., artisans, priests), driving urban complexity, as noted in the chapter.
(f) The military power of kings that made labour compulsory – Facilitated large-scale projects like irrigation, spurring urban development. - Outcomes:
(c) The lack of metal and stone – Became less relevant as cities grew, with trade bringing resources, though initially a challenge.
(e) The use of seals – Emerged as a tool for trade and administration, reflecting urban economic sophistication.
- Necessary Conditions:
- Why were mobile animal herders not necessarily a threat to town life?
Answer: Mobile animal herders were not necessarily a threat because their lifestyle complemented town life rather than opposed it. The chapter suggests that herders, like those in Mesopotamia, provided towns with meat, milk, and hides through trade, benefiting urban economies. Their mobility allowed them to avoid conflict, and they often moved seasonally, reducing pressure on urban resources, unlike sedentary groups competing for land.
- Why would the early temple have been much like a house?
Answer: The early temple would have been much like a house because it served as a community centre with domestic features. The chapter indicates that in early Mesopotamian cities like Uruk, temples were built with mud-brick, similar to homes, and housed priests who managed offerings and storage, mirroring household duties. This reflects a gradual evolution from domestic to sacred spaces as societies grew.
Also Read: NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 6 Political Theory: Citizenship Solutions (Free PDF)
(Answer in a Short Essay)
- Of the new institutions that came into being once city life had begun, which would have depended on the initiative of the king?
Answer: The institution of a centralised administration and large-scale public works would have depended on the king’s initiative. The chapter notes that in Mesopotamian city-states, kings used military power to organise labour for projects like irrigation canals and city walls, as seen in Ur. This required royal authority to coordinate resources and enforce compliance, shaping urban governance.
- What do ancient stories tell us about the civilisation of Mesopotamia?
Answer: Ancient stories, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, reveal Mesopotamia’s cultural and social aspects. The chapter mentions that these narratives, recorded on cuneiform tablets, depict kings like Gilgamesh, reflecting royal power and divine connections. They also highlight themes of human struggle, flood myths, and urban life, offering insights into the civilisation’s values, religious beliefs, and the centrality of cities like Uruk.
Download NCERT Solutions Class 11 History Themes in World History Chapter 1: Early Societies
You can download the NCERT solutions for Class 11 Themes in World History Chapter 1: Early Societies. We have provided the free PDF for students below.
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