Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

History

Chapter

Ancient India: Bricks, Beads and Bones

Question:

Which of the following statements are correct about the Harappan Settlement?

(A) The settlement is divided into two sections, one smaller and lower and the other much larger and higher.
(B) The Citadel was walled, which meant that it was physically separated from the Lower Town.
(C) Only burnt bricks of a standard ratio were used in the settlement.
(D) The building of the Harappan settlement required mobilisation of labour on a very large scale.
(E) The settlement was first planned and then built accordingly.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

Options:

(C), (D), (E) Only

(B), (D), (E) Only

(B), (C), (D) Only

(A), (B), (C) Only

Correct Answer:

(B), (D), (E) Only

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (2) → (B), (D), (E) Only

Features of the Harappan settlement:

Discovery: Harappa was the first site to be discovered, although Mohenjodaro is more well-known. It was discovered by R.D. Banerji.
Citadel and Lower Town: Most of the settlement was divided into two sections - the smaller, elevated Citadel and the larger, lower-lying Lower Town.
Citadel: It was constructed on mud-brick platforms, giving it a higher elevation. The Citadel was walled, physically separating it from the Lower Town.
Lower Town: This section of Mohenjodaro was also walled. Buildings were constructed on platforms that served as foundations.
Extensive labor: The construction of platforms alone required significant labor.
Planned settlement: The city's construction suggests a planned approach. Once the platforms were in place, building activity was limited to specific areas on the platforms.
Standardized bricks: Bricks used in the Harappan settlements, whether sun-dried or baked, including Mohenjodaro, were of standardized dimensions (generally 4:2:1). The ratio of length to breadth was four times to twice the height.
Brick usage: Standardized bricks were utilized extensively in various structures throughout the Harappan civilization.