What was the most unique feature of the Harappan civilisation?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Development of urban centres.
Option (1) Creation of railway track. — Incorrect. There were no railways in Harappan times. The railway came only in the nineteenth century, when bricks robbed from Harappa were used for the railway line between Lahore and Multan.
Option (2) Evolution of parliamentary system. — Incorrect. A parliament is a modern elected body. Archaeological records give no clear answer even to who held power in the Harappan cities, and nothing points to a parliament.
Option (3) Development of urban centres. — Correct. Perhaps the most unique feature of the Harappan civilisation was the development of urban centres, such as the planned city of Mohenjodaro, with its Citadel and Lower Town.
Option (4) Matriarchal structure of the family. — Incorrect. A matriarchal family is one headed by a woman. The Harappan civilisation is not singled out for any such feature; its most unique feature was its urban centres.
Note: The concept ‘matriarchal’ in Option (4) is not in NCERT (2026-27); explained here for the benefit of the students.
NCERT (2026-27): “3. Mohanjodaro A Planned Urban Centre … Perhaps the most unique feature of the Harappan civilisation was the development of urban centres. Let us look at one such centre, Mohenjodaro, more closely. Although Mohenjodaro is the most well-known site, the first site to be discovered was Harappa.… 3. Mohanjodaro A Planned Urban Centre … As early as 1875, Alexander Cunningham, the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), often called the father of Indian archaeology, noted that the amount of brick taken from the ancient site was enough to lay bricks for ‘about 100 miles’ of the railway line between Lahore and Multan. Thus, many of the ancient structures at the site were damaged. In contrast, Mohenjodaro was far better preserved.” |