Which of the following statements about Harappan culture are correct?
A. Most Harappan sites are located in semi-arid lands, where irrigation was required for agriculture.
B. Traces of canals have been found at the Harappan site of Shortughai in Afghanistan, but not in Punjab or Sind.
C. Mohenjodaro is the most well-known site of Harappan culture, however the first site to be discovered was Harappa.
D. The Citadel was an extension of the lower town at the same surface level and was never separated physically from the lower town.
E. The Citadel at Lothal was walled off, though built at a lower surface level.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → A, B, C only
A. Most Harappan sites are located in semi-arid lands, where irrigation was required for agriculture. Correct. Most Harappan sites lie in semi-arid lands, where irrigation was probably required for agriculture.
B. Traces of canals have been found at the Harappan site of Shortughai in Afghanistan, but not in Punjab or Sind. Correct. Traces of canals have been found at Shortughai in Afghanistan, but not in Punjab or Sind.
C. Mohenjodaro is the most well-known site of Harappan culture, however the first site to be discovered was Harappa. Correct. Although Mohenjodaro is the most well-known site, the first site to be discovered was Harappa.
D. The Citadel was an extension of the lower town at the same surface level and was never separated physically from the lower town. Incorrect. The Citadel was higher, as its buildings stood on mud brick platforms, and it was walled, which physically separated it from the Lower Town.
E. The Citadel at Lothal was walled off, though built at a lower surface level. Incorrect. It is the other way round: the Citadel within Lothal was not walled off, but was built at a height.
NCERT (2026-27): “2.1 Agricultural technologies … Most Harappan sites are located in semi-arid lands, where irrigation was probably required for agriculture. Traces of canals have been found at the Harappan site of Shortughai in Afghanistan, but not in Punjab or Sind.… 3. Mohanjodaro A Planned Urban Centre … Although Mohenjodaro is the most well-known site, the first site to be discovered was Harappa.… 3. Mohanjodaro A Planned Urban Centre … Archaeologists designate these as the Citadel and the Lower Town respectively. The Citadel owes its height to the fact that buildings were constructed on mud brick platforms. It was walled, which meant that it was physically separated from the Lower Town.… Citadels … At sites such as Dholavira and Lothal (Gujarat), the entire settlement was fortified, and sections within the town were also separated by walls. The Citadel within Lothal was not walled off, but was built at a height.” |