Which were the specialised centres for making ‘shell’ objects?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Nageshwar and Balakot
Harappan craftspeople often set up settlements close to their raw material. Nageshwar and Balakot both lay near the coast, where shell was available, and were specialised centres for making shell objects such as bangles, ladles and inlay, which were taken to other settlements. Chanhudaro and Lothal, in the same way, sent finished products such as beads to the large cities like Mohenjodaro and Harappa.
Note: A same/similar question was asked in CUET (UG) in the papers below.
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| 20-05 S1 | – | – | 12-06 S2* | – |
* A similar question.
NCERT (2025-26): “5. Finding Out About Craft Production … Specialised drills have been found at Chanhudaro, Lothal and more recently at Dholavira. If you locate Nageshwar and Balakot on Map 1, you will notice that both settlements are near the coast. These were specialised centres for making shell objects – including bangles, ladles and inlay – which were taken to other settlements. Similarly, it is likely that finished products (such as beads) from Chanhudaro and Lothal were taken to the large urban centres such as Mohenjodaro and Harappa.…” |