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SAI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
                                                 STD VI- HISTORY
                                    CH- The Beginning of Indian Civilisation
                                                        NOTES

               Sub topic 1-What Is a Civilization?
               In short, a civilization is more than just people living together — it's a well-
               organized society with culture, progress, and structure.
               Important Terms:
               Metallurgy: Includes the techniques of extracting metals from nature, purifying
               or combining them, as well as the scientific study of metals and their
               properties.

               Civilisation:In general, the term is used for an advanced stage of human societies.

               To be precise, we will consider here that a ‘civilisation’ should have at least the
               following characteristics:
               Advanced human societies with:

                   ❖ Government and administration
                   ❖ Urbanism (towns, planning, drainage)

                   ❖ Crafts and raw material management

                   ❖ Trade (internal and external)
                   ❖ Writing system
                   ❖ Cultural expressions (art, literature, customs)

                   ❖ Productive agriculture


               Origin of Civilisation


                   •  Civilisation began at different times in different parts of the world.
                   •  Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq and Syria):
                          o  One of the earliest centres of civilisation, around 6,000 years ago.
                   •  Ancient Egypt:

                          o  Civilisation developed a few centuries later than Mesopotamia.

               3. Importance of Early Civilisations


                   •  Early civilisations made enormous contributions to human progress.
                   •  These advances laid the foundation for the modern world.
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