Indus Valley Civilization

21. Consider the following statements : 1. Terracotta models of the plou

Consider the following statements :

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  • 1. Terracotta models of the plough have been found at sites in Cholistan and at Banawali (Haryana).
  • 2. There is evidence of a ploughed field at Kalibangan associated with the mature phase of the Harappan civilization.
  • 3. The ploughed field at Kalibangan had two sets of furrows crossing at right angles to each other suggesting two different crops were grown together in it.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1, 2 and 3
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
None of the above
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Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Terracotta models of ploughs have been found at archaeological sites associated with the Harappan civilization, including Banawali in Haryana and sites in Cholistan (statement 1). There is clear archaeological evidence of a ploughed field at Kalibangan. While statement 2 mentions the ‘mature phase’, the ploughed field discovered at Kalibangan is primarily associated with the Early Harappan phase. Statement 3 accurately describes the ploughed field at Kalibangan, which shows two sets of furrows crossing at right angles, a pattern suggesting the practice of double cropping (growing two different crops simultaneously in the same field). Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct, and statement 2 is inaccurate regarding the phase.
Archaeological evidence from Harappan sites indicates knowledge of agriculture, including the use of ploughs (models found) and specific techniques like double cropping (evidence at Kalibangan). The ploughed field at Kalibangan is a significant find, demonstrating agricultural practices.
The ploughed field at Kalibangan is one of the earliest examples of a ploughed field discovered in the world. The crossing furrows at right angles are indicative of sowing seeds in both directions, a method likely aimed at maximizing land use and yield by growing two crops with different water requirements or growth cycles.

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22. At which among the following Harappan sites are fire altars found?

At which among the following Harappan sites are fire altars found?

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Kalibangan
Harappa
Mohenjo-daro
Rakhi Garhi
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Excavations at the Harappan site of Kalibangan, located in Rajasthan, India, have revealed the presence of fire altars. These fire altars were found in clusters both within residential areas and in what appears to be a public ceremonial area, suggesting the practice of some form of ritual involving fire.
The discovery of fire altars at sites like Kalibangan and Lothal provides crucial evidence about the religious beliefs and practices of the Harappan civilization, suggesting possible Vedic or pre-Vedic rituals.
While other major Harappan sites like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa are famous for features like the Great Bath, the Citadel, and granaries, the evidence of fire altars is particularly prominent at Kalibangan and Lothal.

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23. In the Mesopotamian records, which one of the following terms was used

In the Mesopotamian records, which one of the following terms was used for the Indus Valley (Harappans) ?

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Dilmun
Meluha
Magan
Failaka
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Mesopotamian cuneiform texts from the third millennium BCE refer to trade relations with several foreign lands, including Dilmun, Magan, and Meluha. Meluha is widely identified by archaeologists and historians as the region of the Indus Valley Civilization.
– Meluha was a major trading partner mentioned in Mesopotamian records.
– Archaeological evidence, such as Indus seals found in Mesopotamia and Mesopotamian artifacts in the Indus region, supports this identification.
– Dilmun is generally identified with modern Bahrain and possibly Kuwait, and Magan with modern Oman and the UAE.
Trade between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley (Meluha) involved goods like carnelian beads, lapis lazuli, copper, gold, and timber being exchanged for silver, wool, oil, and grains. This trade network flourished during the mature Harappan period.

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24. Which one of the following Harappan sites was a specialised centre for

Which one of the following Harappan sites was a specialised centre for making shell objects?

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Lothal
Balakot
Amri
Kot Diji
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The correct answer is B) Balakot.
Balakot, located near the coast in present-day Pakistan, was a significant Harappan site known for its specialised production of shell objects. Archaeological evidence suggests extensive shell working activities, indicating it was a centre for crafting goods from marine shells.
Other Harappan sites were known for different crafts. Lothal was famous for its bead making industry and dockyard. Amri is an important early Indus site. Kot Diji represents the pre-Harappan and early Harappan phases. Specialised centres for crafts were a feature of the mature Harappan period, with specific locations excelling in the production of certain goods like shell objects, beads, metalwork, etc.

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25. Harappan crafts display an amazing degree of standardization. Accordin

Harappan crafts display an amazing degree of standardization. According to Kenoyer, what was the possible reason for such an achievement ?

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Availability of raw materials at local level
Centralized markets for crafts
Specialized training centres for craftsmen
State control
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The correct answer is D) State control. According to archaeologist Jonathan Mark Kenoyer and other scholars, the remarkable degree of standardization observed in Harappan crafts (such as weights, measures, bricks, and certain pottery and bead types) suggests a high level of centralized organization, often interpreted as a form of ‘state control’ or central authority regulating production and trade.
– Standardization in Harappan crafts is seen across vast geographical distances, indicating a unified system of production and quality control.
– While availability of raw materials, markets, and training centres are factors in craft production, they don’t fully explain the widespread uniformity.
– A central authority (interpreted as state control in archaeological terms, though the nature of Harappan governance is debated) would be necessary to enforce such uniform standards across a large empire.
Evidence for this standardization includes the consistent ratio of brick sizes (typically 1:2:4), standardized weights following a specific binary and decimal system, and uniformity in seals and certain artifact types. This organization facilitated long-distance trade and internal exchange within the civilization. Kenoyer’s research, particularly on crafts like bead-making and seal production, supports the idea of highly organized systems, likely involving a central authority.

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26. Which one of the following Harappan centres specialized in making shel

Which one of the following Harappan centres specialized in making shell objects?

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Balakot
Kalibangan
Mohenjo-daro
Banawali
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Balakot was one of the Harappan centres that specialized in making shell objects.
Archaeological evidence from Harappan sites indicates specialization in various crafts. Balakot, located near the coast (present-day Pakistan), was an important centre for the production of shell objects, likely due to the availability of raw material. Kalibangan is known for ploughed fields and fire altars. Mohenjo-daro was a major urban centre with monumental architecture. Banawali yielded evidence of a toy plough and good quality barley.
Other Harappan centres known for specific crafts include Chanhudaro (bead making), Lothal (bead making, shell work, metallurgy), and Dholavira (water management, large inscriptions). This specialization points towards a sophisticated economic and trade network within the Indus Valley Civilization.

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27. In the citadel and lower-town areas of which one of the following Hara

In the citadel and lower-town areas of which one of the following Harappan cities, have several large cisterns and reservoirs been found ?

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Banawali
Mohenjodaro
Dholavira
Rakhigarhi
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The correct answer is C) Dholavira.
Dholavira, located in Kutch, Gujarat, is renowned among Harappan sites for its sophisticated water harvesting system. Archaeological excavations have revealed numerous large reservoirs and cisterns carved into the ground, designed to collect and store rainwater during the monsoon season. These water storage facilities are found across the site, including within the fortified citadel and the lower town, highlighting the importance placed on water management in this arid region.
While other Harappan cities like Mohenjodaro have important water-related structures (e.g., the Great Bath, wells, drains), Dholavira stands out for its extensive network and large number of reservoirs dedicated to water storage, reflecting unique adaptations to the local environmental conditions. Banawali is noted for its semi-arid location and lack of a clear grid pattern in the lower town. Rakhigarhi is one of the largest Harappan sites but is not particularly known for large cisterns and reservoirs on the scale found at Dholavira.

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28. The Harappan site at Kot Diji is close to which one of the following m

The Harappan site at Kot Diji is close to which one of the following major sites of that civilization?

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Harappa
Mohenjo-daro
Lothal
Kalibangan
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UPSC CDS-2 – 2018
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The correct answer is Mohenjo-daro.
Kot Diji is an archaeological site located in Sindh, Pakistan. It is situated about 40 kilometers east of the major Harappan site of Mohenjo-daro, on the left bank of the Indus River.
Kot Diji is important as it provides evidence of a pre-Harappan phase (Kot Diji Culture) which shows cultural continuity and transition into the mature Harappan period. While all listed sites are important Harappan/Indus Valley Civilization sites, Kot Diji’s geographical proximity makes it closest to Mohenjo-daro.

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29. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

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List-I (Harappan Site) List-II (Modern Name)
A. Dholavira 1. Saurashtra
B. Rakhigarhi 2. Hisar
C. Bhirrana 3. Kadir Island
D. Bhogavo 4. Haryana

Code :

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A-1, B-4, C-2, D-3
A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
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The correct answer is C) A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1.
– Dholavira is a major Harappan site located on Khadir Bet (Kadir Island) in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. Thus, A matches 3.
– Rakhigarhi is a large Harappan site located in Hisar district, Haryana. Thus, B matches 2.
– Bhirrana is considered one of the oldest discovered Indus Valley Civilization sites, located in Fatehabad district, Haryana. Haryana is the state where it is located. Thus, C matches 4.
– The Bhogavo river is a river in Gujarat that flows near the Harappan site of Lothal, which is located in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Thus, D matches 1.
These are important Harappan sites located in present-day India. Their excavation has provided significant insights into the Indus Valley Civilization. Dholavira is known for its sophisticated water management system and city planning. Rakhigarhi is considered one of the largest Harappan sites. Bhirrana has yielded evidence suggesting early phases of the civilization. Lothal was a port city.

30. Which one of the following statements about the Harappan Culture is no

Which one of the following statements about the Harappan Culture is not correct?

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It witnessed the first cities in the subcontinent.
It marks the first use of script, written from right to left.
It marks the earliest known use of iron as a medium for the art of sculpting.
It marks the earliest known use of stone as a medium for the art of sculpting.
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The statement that Harappan Culture marks the earliest known use of iron as a medium for the art of sculpting is incorrect.
The Harappan Civilization belongs to the Bronze Age (roughly 3300–1300 BCE). While they were skilled in working with copper, bronze, gold, and silver, they had no knowledge of iron. The use of iron in the Indian subcontinent became widespread much later, during the Iron Age, which typically began around 1000 BCE (corresponding to the later Vedic period). Harappan art includes sculptures in stone (like the ‘Priest King’ and dancing girl torso), bronze (like the ‘Dancing Girl’), terracotta, and steatite.
Statements A, B, and D are correct about the Harappan Culture. It is the first urban civilization in the subcontinent. The Indus script is considered one of the earliest scripts used in the region, and while undeciphered, evidence from seals suggests writing was typically from right to left. The Harappans did use stone and other materials for sculpting, marking an early instance of this art form in the subcontinent.

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