04-04-05-002-s
Name:
Date:
Subject: Year 4 History
Sheet: Indus Valley Civilisation
Home Life in Indus Cities
Houses in the Indus Valley were very cool inside
because of the thick walls. Large houses had a
courtyard in the middle with rooms around it.
Children played with their toys in the courtyard.
They also played with their pets such as dogs, birds
and monkeys. Rich families had private wells in their
courtyard for water. If people wanted to wash
themselves they collected water from the well and
A private well
used jars to tip the water over them. Smaller houses only had one room. All houses had
flat roofs made from wooden beams. If it became too hot in the evenings people would
sleep on the roof to keep cool. Noise and dust was kept out of the houses as there were
no windows onto the main street. Light and air came in from side windows. Food was
cooked on fires made from wood or animal dung. Bread was baked in the oven or on
hot stones.
In the Indus Valley the temperature was hot all year round so people didn't have the
need to wear warm clothing. Builders that worked in the heat probably wore a loincloth
to keep cool, which is a bit like a pair of baggy shorts. Tunics were worn by the rich men
and long dresses were worn by women. Men and women both wore arm-bangles and
beads.
Most people in the Indus Valley were poor. They had to work hard making things,
fishing, or farming. People did not use money to buy things. Wealth was measured by
how many cattle a person had or how much land. Traders sold goods such as jewels,
rugs, minerals and metals.
© Primary Leap Ltd. 2014
www.primaryleap.co.uk - Primary Resources
Score
10
04-04-05-002-s
Name:
Date:
Subject: Year 4 History
Sheet: Indus Valley Civilisation
Questions
Imagine that you are walking along a street in an Indus city. Think about what you
would see there e.g. sewers, drains, wells, high walls. Now think about the area you
live in. Write a short passage about how your street/house is different from those in
the Indus cities. Are they similar in any way? How did the Indus people live? How
did they cook their food?
Key points to remember:
Occupation
Hygiene
Wealth and poverty
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© Primary Leap Ltd. 2014
www.primaryleap.co.uk - Primary Resources