What is the correct statement about the Harappan script?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 4

The correct answer is Option (4) → Its writing remains undeciphered to date.

Option (1) It resembles the hieroglyphic script of Egypt. — Incorrect. Egyptian hieroglyphs are the writing of ancient Egypt, in which the signs are small pictures. The Harappan script remains undeciphered, so no such likeness can be shown from it; what is known is only its form – it was not alphabetical, it had a great many signs and it was written from right to left.

Option (2) It has too many symbols, between 600 - 1000 in number. — Incorrect. The script did have too many signs to be alphabetical, but they number somewhere between 375 and 400, not 600 to 1000.

Option (3) It was written from left to right. — Incorrect. It was written from right to left: some seals show a wider spacing on the right and cramping on the left, as if the engraver began on the right and then ran out of space.

Option (4) Its writing remains undeciphered to date. — Correct. Most inscriptions are short, the longest having about 26 signs, and the script remains undeciphered to date.

Note: The hieroglyphic script of Egypt in Option (1) is not in NCERT (2026-27); explained here for the benefit of the students.

NCERT (2026-27): “7.2 An enigmatic script … Harappan seals usually have a line of writing, probably containing the name and title of the owner. Scholars have also suggested that the motif (generally an animal) conveyed a meaning to those who could not read. Most inscriptions are short, the longest containing about 26 signs. Although the script remains undeciphered to date, it was evidently not alphabetical (where each sign stands for a vowel or a consonant) as it has just too many signs – somewhere between 375 and 400. It is apparent that the script was written from right to left as some seals show a wider spacing on the right and cramping on the left, as if the engraver began working from the right and then ran out of space.…”