Which of the following statements are correct regarding the system of ‘weights’ used by the Harappans:
A. System of weights were usually made of a stone called steatite.
B. The lower denominations of weights were binary.
C. The higher denominations of weights followed the decimal system.
D. Weights were generally circular, with no markings.
Choose the correct answer from the option given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → B and C only
A. System of weights were usually made of a stone called steatite. Incorrect. Harappan weights were usually made of a stone called chert, not steatite. Steatite, a very soft stone, was used mainly for beads and seals.
B. The lower denominations of weights were binary. Correct. The smaller weights went up by doubling: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32. They were probably used for weighing jewellery and beads.
C. The higher denominations of weights followed the decimal system. Correct. The bigger weights followed the decimal system: 160, 200, 320, 640.
D. Weights were generally circular, with no markings. Incorrect. The weights had no markings, but they were generally cubical, not circular.
NCERT (2025-26): “7.3 Weights … Exchanges were regulated by a precise system of weights, usually made of a stone called chert and generally cubical (Fig. 1.2), with no markings. … lower denominations of weights were binary (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32), while the higher denominations followed the decimal system (160, 200, 320, 640). The smaller weights were probably used for weighing jewellery and beads. Metal scale-pans have also been found.” |