Which of the following evidence shows that the Harappans believed in the afterlife?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Pottery and Ornaments
Archaeologists study burials to learn about the people of a culture. At Harappan sites the dead were generally laid in pits, some lined with bricks. Some graves contain pottery and ornaments, which suggests that the Harappans believed these things could be used in the afterlife. Jewellery has been found in the burials of both men and women.
The massive pyramids of Option (4) belong to Egypt, where many were royal burials filled with wealth. The Harappans built nothing of the kind.
NCERT (2025-26): “4.1 Burials … You are probably familiar with the massive pyramids of Egypt, some of which were contemporaneous with the Harappan civilisation. Many of these pyramids were royal burials, where enormous quantities of wealth was buried. At burials in Harappan sites the dead were generally laid in pits. Sometimes, there were differences in the way the burial pit was made – in some instances, the hollowed-out spaces were lined with bricks. Could these variations be an indication of social differences? We are not sure. Some graves contain pottery and ornaments, perhaps indicating a belief that these could be used in the afterlife. Jewellery has been found in burials of both men and women.…” |