Harappan Civilization (Indus Valley): UPSC Previous Year Questions (Ancient History)

Explanation

Indus Valley Civilization featured advanced town planning with well-laid-out streets, drainage systems, and standardized brick construction. Notable examples include the cities of Mohenjo-Daro, with its grid-like streets and Great Bath, and Harappa, known for its drainage systems and carefully planned residential areas.

Option (a) is correct: Discovered in 1968 by Jagat Pati Joshi, Dholavira is one of the best-preserved Indus Valley sites, with a unique water management system using reservoirs and dams. Located between the Manhar and Mandsar streams, it was likely accessible by boat when the Rann’s water levels were higher.

Explanation

Sohgaura is located in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh on the banks of the Rapti River. The Sohgaura copper plate inscription, dating to the Mauryan period (possibly pre-Ashokan), was found here. The Sohgaura inscription belongs to the Mauryan era (not the Harappan civilization) and refers to famine relief measures, food grain storage, and granary management. It was written in Prakrit in the Brahmi script. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect: Kot Diji, Desalpur and Chanhudaro are Harappan sites. Kotdiji means "Fort of the Daughter’’ and is located in Khairpur province, Pakistan. Here copper-bronze objects, bangles and arrowheads; etched carnelian and other beads and numerous terracotta human, bull, and bird effigy figurines were found. Desalpur, located in Gujarat, is a key Harappan site known for its well-planned settlement, including fire altars and beads, highlighting its role in trade and craft production. Chanhudaro is located on the bank of the Indus River in Sindh, Pakistan. Bead makers’ shops have been found here.

Explanation

The Harappan Civilization, discovered in 1921 at Harappa (Pakistan), spanned Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and western Uttar Pradesh, predating Chalcolithic cultures and showing greater development.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Indus Valley Civilization differed from Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations, as it lacked grand palaces and temples ruled by powerful kings or priests. Instead, archaeological evidence suggests that their cities featured well-planned structures, public buildings, and granaries, emphasizing urban planning and administrative efficiency rather than monumental architecture.

Statement 2 is correct: Seals and figurines, such as the Priest-King and various fertility symbols, imply reverence for deities associated with fertility, nature, and possibly mother goddesses, indicating a worship system that involved both male and female divine figures.

Statement 3 is incorrect: No trace of Horses has been found in the Indus Valley. The use of chariots is associated with later cultures, such as the Vedic civilization, and is not a feature of the Indus Civilization.

Explanation

Indus Valley Civilization, one of the earliest urban cultures, is notable for its advanced urban planning, trade systems, and crafts, yet it was largely secular in nature with no dominant religious structure.

Statement 1 is correct: The Indus Valley Civilization is often considered more secular compared to other ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia or Egypt, where religion played a dominant role in daily life and governance. Although evidence of religious practices exists (e.g., figurines, seals depicting deities, the Great Bath which may have had ritual significance), there is no clear evidence of a theocratic society or large, grandiose temples. The focus of the Indus civilization appears to be on urban planning, trade, and practical aspects of daily life.

Statement 2 is correct: The Indus Valley Civilization is one of the earliest known civilizations to have used cotton for textile production. Evidence of cotton cultivation has been found at several Indus sites, such as Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, where cotton fibers have been discovered, indicating its use in making cloth. Also, cotton seeds found near Mehrgarh dated to 5000 BCE.

Explanation

The Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilisation) flourished between 2600 BC and 1900 BC in the northern region of the Indian subcontinent. It was prominently spread over Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Western U.P. and Northern Maharashtra.

Explanation

The Harappan Civilization made extensive use of seals for administrative, commercial, and religious purposes. These seals were crafted from a variety of materials, including steatite, terracotta, agate, chert, and faience. Notable examples include the Pashupati Seal and the Unicorn Seal etc.

Option (a) is correct: The most common animal depicted on the seals was one horned bull. Other animals like Buffalo, Tiger, Rhinoceros and Elephant were also commonly used. However, cows, horses and camels were not depicted on the seals