Source Analysis – In this short exercise (no more than 800 words) you need to write a short essay based on your readings of this source, the Great Granary of Mohenjo daro ( The Granary of Mohenjo Daro you can find additional illustrations in The Cambridge History of India (p. 25 and after). All attached
The analysis should contain the following elements, as these elements are crucial in understanding and utilising sources in an effective way.
Elements of Analysis
1. Describe – What are you looking at? Tell us what it is in specific terms. This will help you flag out the main characteristics of the source.
2. Contextualise – When was it produced? Give your reader some context as to what was happening at the time or what the source depicts. This is a crucial aspect as every source was written within a particular context, and we cannot understand the source without understanding the context.
3. Analyse – What are we to make of it? What is its significance? Pick out specific elements of the source (a phrase, a sign) and analyse it in more depth. What does the source reflect about the historical context, what should we know to understand the meaning and significance of the source?
Your Essay
After figuring out these elements you can write the essay itself. Remember, the essay should read as a coherent narrative. Do not leave the aspects above as three separate sections, but integrate them to one coherent narrative. Try to find external sources to support your analysis, from the reading list or beyond, and mark them properly with footnotes (follow the Chicago Manual of Style).