Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

History

Chapter

Ancient India: Bricks, Beads and Bones

Question:

What information can be found on the sealings of the bags used in trade in the Harappan Civilization?

Options:

The animal inside the bag

The contents of the bag

The weight of the goods

The identity of the sender

Correct Answer:

The identity of the sender

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option 4- The identity of the sender

Seals and sealings were used to facilitate longdistance communication. Imagine a bag of goods being sent from one place to another. Its mouth was tied with rope and on the knot was affixed some wet clay on which one or more seals were pressed, leaving an impression. If the bag reached with its sealing intact, it meant that it had not been tampered with. The sealing also conveyed the identity of the sender.

Features of Harappan Seals:

The seals were the most distinctive object of Harappan civilization & made of a stone called steatite.
Seals often contained animal motifs and signs from a script that remains un-deciphered.
The seals were generally square or rectangular in shape.
Seals and sealings played a crucial role in enabling long-distance communication.
To ensure the security of goods during transportation, a bag's mouth was tied with rope, and wet clay was applied on the knot. One or more seals were pressed onto the clay, leaving distinct impressions.
The intact sealing upon the bag's arrival indicated that it had not been tampered with.
It also served to convey the identity of the sender, providing information about the origin of the goods.
Interestingly, the motifs depicted on the seals, usually animals, may have conveyed meaning to individuals who were unable to read.