Read the passage and answer the following question :
"There were several archaeological cultures in the region prior to the Mature Harappan. There cultures were associated with distinctive pottery, evidence of agriculture and pastoralism, and some crafts. It appears to be a break between the early Harrapan and the Harrapan civilisation, evident from large-scale burning at some sites, as well as abandonment of same settlements."
Identify the statements which are 'true' for Harappan Civilisation.
(A) Animals were not domesticated in Harappan culture.
(B) Evidence of ploughed field have been found at Kalibangan.
(C) Traces of canals have been found in Punjab and Sind.
(D) Water reservoirs have been found in Dholavira.
(E) Mohenjodaro has been identified as a planned Urban Centre.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → (B), (D), (E) only
(A) Animals were not domesticated in Harappan culture. Incorrect. Animal bones of cattle, sheep, goat, buffalo and pig are found at Harappan sites, and studies by archaeo-zoologists show that these animals were domesticated.
(B) Evidence of ploughed field have been found at Kalibangan. Correct. Archaeologists have found evidence of a ploughed field at Kalibangan (Rajasthan), associated with Early Harappan levels. It had two sets of furrows at right angles to each other.
(C) Traces of canals have been found in Punjab and Sind. Incorrect. Traces of canals have been found at the Harappan site of Shortughai in Afghanistan, but not in Punjab or Sind.
(D) Water reservoirs have been found in Dholavira. Correct. Water reservoirs found in Dholavira (Gujarat) may have been used to store water for agriculture.
(E) Mohenjodaro has been identified as a planned Urban Centre. Correct. The most unique feature of the Harappan civilisation was the development of urban centres, and Mohenjodaro was such a planned urban centre, the most well-known of the Harappan sites.
NCERT (2026-27): “2.1 Agricultural technologies … Animal bones found at Harappan sites include those of cattle, sheep, goat, buffalo and pig. Studies done by archaeo-zoologists or zooarchaeologists indicate that these animals were domesticated.… 2.1 Agricultural technologies … Representations on seals and terracotta sculpture indicate that the bull was known, and archaeologists extrapolate from this that oxen were used for ploughing. Moreover, terracotta models of the plough have been found at sites in Cholistan and at Banawali (Haryana). Archaeologists have also found evidence of a ploughed field at Kalibangan (Rajasthan), associated with Early Harappan levels (see p. 20). The field had two sets of furrows at right angles to each other, suggesting that two different crops were grown together.… 2.1 Agricultural technologies … Most Harappan sites are located in semi-arid lands, where irrigation was probably required for agriculture. Traces of canals have been found at the Harappan site of Shortughai in Afghanistan, but not in Punjab or Sind. It is possible that ancient … canals silted up long ago. It is also likely that water drawn from wells was used for irrigation. Besides, water reservoirs found in Dholavira (Gujarat) may have been used to store water for agriculture.… 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.…” |