CBSE Class 11 History Chapter 2: Writing and City Life NCERT Solutions

It is stated that natural fertility and high levels of food production were not the sole causes of early urbanisation because cities and towns were also centres for various other significant economic activities. While abundant food production certainly provided an advantage for people to congregate in towns, the economies of these urban centres were also driven by trade, manufacturing, and services. Individuals residing in cities were not entirely self-sufficient through food production alone; they relied on the goods and services provided by surrounding villages and other cities. This indicates a continuous and dynamic interaction among these diverse urban economic activities, highlighting that urbanisation was a complex process driven by multiple factors beyond just agricultural output.

The factors can be categorized as follows:

Necessary Conditions for Early Urbanisation:

• (a) Highly productive agriculture: This provided the food surplus necessary to support a non-farming population.
• (b) Water transport: Efficient transportation was crucial for moving goods and people, facilitating trade and communication.
• (d) The division of labour: Specialisation of tasks allowed for greater efficiency and the development of various crafts and services.

Causes of Early Urbanisation:

• (c) The lack of metal and stone: This scarcity may have spurred innovation and trade to acquire necessary resources.
• (e) The use of seals: Seals were important for trade, administration, and indicating ownership, facilitating economic and social organisation.
• (f) The military power of kings that made labour compulsory: Royal authority could mobilise labour for large-scale projects, contributing to urban development.

Outcome of the Growth of Cities:

• An enhanced transport system: As cities grew, so did the need for and development of better transport networks.
• Growth of trade and economic activities and other institutions, administrations and organisations related to it: Urban centres naturally fostered expanded trade and the complex organisational structures needed to manage them.
• Growth of writing and schools: The increasing complexity of urban life necessitated record-keeping and education, leading to the development of writing systems and formal schooling.

Mobile animal herders were not always a threat to town life because they often engaged in mutually beneficial exchanges with the town dwellers. These herders needed to trade products from their animals, such as young animals, cheese, and leather, in return for essential goods like grain and metal tools that they could not produce themselves. While they might have had conflicts with people living in agricultural villages, often raiding them for stored goods, their relationship with towns was more frequently based on trade and interdependence. This economic interaction reduced the likelihood of them being a constant threat to the stability of town life.

The early temples in Mesopotamia, which began to be built around 5000 BCE, were initially constructed to serve as residences or houses for the various gods they worshipped. The earliest known temple was a modest shrine made from unbaked bricks, similar in scale and construction to the houses of the time. These structures were believed to be the dwelling places of deities like the Moon God of Ur or Inanna, the Goddess of Love and War. As these religious centres evolved, the temples became larger and featured multiple rooms arranged around open courtyards, but their fundamental conception as a divine dwelling place, akin to a house for the gods, persisted.

With the commencement of city life, several new institutions emerged, including temple architecture, the expansion of trade, advancements in sculpture, the development of warfare strategies, and the establishment of writing systems and schools. The text suggests that many of these crucial developments would have heavily depended on the initiative and support of the king. For instance, the significant Mesopotamian achievements in areas like writing and education were not merely spontaneous; they required the establishment and maintenance of schools. These institutions trained individuals not just as record-keepers but as intellectuals capable of building upon past knowledge. Running such schools, along with other grand projects like temple construction and organised warfare, demanded substantial resources and centralised organisation, which could only be effectively provided through the authority and patronage of kingship.

Ancient stories offer valuable insights into the nature of Mesopotamian civilisation. They reveal details about the societal structure, the functioning of various institutions, the extent and nature of their trade activities, and their agricultural practices. Furthermore, these narratives often highlight the significant role of kingship in encouraging cultural and economic progress, particularly in promoting the development of writing and schools. The stories underscore how economic activities were intertwined with royal initiatives, suggesting a civilisation where governance and cultural advancement were closely linked.