Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma): Indus Valley CIvilization - UPSC MCQ

Statement 1 is incorrect because the Harappan Civilization was first discovered at the site of Harappa, not Mohenjo-Daro. Statement 2 is correct, The southernmost site of the Indus Valley Civilisation is Daimabad in Maharashtra.  Statement 3 is incorrect because Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were connected by the Indus River, not the Ganges.

• Bronze tools were indeed used in agriculture among other applications in the Harappan Civilization.
• Terracotta figurines are thought to have been used in religious practices as well as for toys.
• Seals were used for trade and administrative purposes, possibly for marking goods or for ceremonial purposes. Thus, all pairs are correctly matched.

• Statement-I is incorrect as the decline of the Harappan Civilization is now understood to be multifaceted, with no conclusive evidence to suggest a singular cause like an Aryan invasion. Indeed, the theory of an Aryan invasion playing a significant role in the civilization's decline has been largely contested and is not supported by archaeological evidence.
• Statement-II is correct, as there is considerable evidence to suggest that environmental factors, such as changes in climate, shifts in the courses of rivers, and possibly earthquakes, significantly impacted the Harappan Civilization, contributing to its decline. These environmental changes likely affected agriculture, trade, and the overall sustainability of urban centers, leading to gradual abandonment or transformation of these cities.

Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Harappan Civilization predates the chalcolithic cultures and covered an area as mentioned. Statement 3 is incorrect as the Harappans likely used barter for trade and did not use metal money.

Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The Harappan Civilization did have a sophisticated system of weights and measures, and more than 1500 sites have been discovered. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Harappan script has not been fully deciphered.

• Statement-I is correct as the male deity depicted on the Pashupati seal is often compared to Shiva, known as Pashupati (Lord of Animals) in later Hindu traditions, due to his yogic posture and association with animals. However, this interpretation is subject to scholarly debate.
• Statement-II is incorrect because, unlike ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, there is no definitive evidence of temple structures in Harappan cities. Religious activities might have been conducted in homes or at altars rather than in dedicated temple complexes, indicating a different form of religious practice.

• Rice remains have been discovered at Lothal, indicating its cultivation.
• Cotton, known to the Greeks as "sindon," was indeed produced in the region, with evidence found in areas like Mohenjo-Daro.
• Wheat was a staple crop of the Harappan Civilization, with evidence of its cultivation found in various sites, including Harappa. Thus, all pairs are correctly matched.

Statement 1 is correct, as the Harappans were indeed the earliest to produce cotton, which Greeks called sindon. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Harappan culture was not centered around horses, and evidence of horses is scant and often debatable.

Statement 3 is correct, making the answer (b) Only two, not (a) Only one. Seals are among the greatest artistic achievements of the Harappan culture, showcasing sophisticated craftsmanship and artistic skill.

• Statement-I is correct as there is ample evidence of trade between the Harappan Civilization and Mesopotamia, including the discovery of Harappan seals in Mesopotamia.
• Statement-II is incorrect because the Harappans likely practiced barter trade and did not use metal coins as currency. Their trade practices were sophisticated but did not involve the use of coined money.

• The assertion is true as the economic transactions within the Harappan Civilization appear to have been conducted without a standardized monetary system, indicating a reliance on barter.
• The reason is a correct explanation for the assertion because the absence of discovered coins or a clear monetary system among the Harappan archaeological findings supports the idea that the economy was primarily barter-based. The use of weights and measures likely facilitated this barter system, allowing for the exchange of goods and services without a formal currency.

Let's analyze each statement about the Harappan Civilization:

1. The Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro served a ritual purpose, likely related to religious ceremonies: This statement is correct. The Great Bath is believed to have been used for ritual bathing, possibly for religious or ceremonial purposes.

2. The Harappan Civilization's urban centers like Mohenjo-Daro did not have a drainage system: This statement is incorrect. The Harappan Civilization is well-known for its advanced urban planning, including an extensive and sophisticated drainage system in cities like Mohenjo-Daro.

3. Terracotta figurines in the Harappan culture served dual purposes: as toys and objects of worship: This statement is correct. Terracotta figurines have been found that likely served as children's toys as well as objects of religious or cultural significance.

Given the analysis:

- Statement 1 is correct.
- Statement 2 is incorrect.
- Statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, only two statements are correct. The correct answer is:

2. Only two

• Mohenjo-Daro is indeed known for the Great Bath, a large public bathing and ritual site.
• Harappa is not known for a dockyard; that feature is attributed to Lothal, which had a dockyard that facilitated maritime trade.
• Evidences of fire altars are found in Lothal and Kalibangan towards the Late Harappan phase
  Thus, pairs 2 is correctly matched 

Statement-I is correct as the Harappans were among the first to cultivate both rice and cotton. Evidence of rice cultivation has been found at the site of Lothal, and cotton was indeed first cultivated in this region, leading to its Greek name sindon.

Statement-II is incorrect because, while barley and wheat were the main crops, rice cultivation was known to the Harappans, contrary to the claim made in the statement.

• Statement-I is correct, highlighting the sophisticated urban planning of the Harappan cities, which indeed followed a grid system.
• Statement-II is incorrect as the Harappan cities had a very advanced drainage system, demonstrating their high concern for public health and hygiene.
• The drainage system was one of the most impressive aspects of their urban infrastructure.

• The Dancing Girl is a famous bronze artifact from the Harappan Civilization.
• Seals, while made of various materials including steatite, also included terracotta as a common material.
• The Priest King statue is indeed made of steatite, a soft stone used for many Harappan carvings. Thus, all three pairs are correctly matched.

Assertion (A): The Harappan Civilization had a highly decentralized form of government. - This assertion is generally considered false. The Harappan Civilization, known for its uniform urban planning, standardized weights and measures, and sophisticated management of resources, suggests a certain level of central control or at least a coordinated administrative system. While it is true that we do not have direct evidence of a centralized government in the form of written records or monumental statuary typically indicative of centralized state control, the degree of uniformity across such a vast area suggests some form of governance that could oversee and administer urban planning and trade.

Reason (R): No monumental architecture, such as palaces or temples, has been found in Harappan sites. - This reason is true. Indeed, one of the distinctive features of the Harappan Civilization is the absence of monumental structures like palaces or temples, which are commonly associated with centralized power in other ancient civilizations. This has led some scholars to speculate about the nature of Harappan governance, but it does not necessarily imply a decentralized government.

Since Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is true, and Reason (R) is not an explanation for Assertion (A), the correct choice is:

2. A is false, but R is true.

• The assertion is true because the Harappan Civilization is known for its urban centers like Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Lothal, which exhibit advanced urban characteristics not seen in contemporary rural settlements.
• The reason correctly explains the assertion as the evidence of sophisticated town planning, such as grid-pattern streets and an advanced drainage system, underscores the urban nature of the Harappan Civilization.
• These features are indicative of a society with the ability to organize labor, resources, and administrative oversight at a level consistent with urban development.

• The assertion is false because the decline of the Harappan Civilization does not appear to have been sudden and catastrophic. Instead, evidence suggests a gradual process.
• The reason is true and counters the assertion. Archaeological findings indicate a gradual reduction in urbanization and a shift towards more rural settlements over time. This suggests that the decline was a prolonged process, possibly due to environmental changes, shifts in trade patterns, or internal social changes, rather than a sudden catastrophe.

• Harappa is located in modern-day Pakistan, not India.
• Mohenjo-Daro and Lothal are correctly matched with Pakistan and India, respectively. Thus, two pairs are correctly matched.

• The assertion is true to some extent as there is evidence that might suggest the Harappan Civilization engaged in practices that could include animal sacrifice. The role of animals in their religious and cultural practices is indicated by seal imagery and terracotta figurines.
• The reason is true because animal bones have been found at Harappan sites, some of which show signs that could be interpreted as ritualistic cuts. However, these findings alone do not conclusively prove the practice of animal sacrifice as part of religious rituals. They could also indicate butchery for food or other non-ritualistic purposes. Thus, while both the assertion and reason are true, the reason does not directly explain the assertion in a conclusive manner.