Read the passage and answer the question :
The Harappans procured materials for craft production in various ways. A variety of materials was used for craft production. While some such as clay were locally available, many such as stone, timber and metal had to be procured from outside the alluvial plain. Terracotta toy models of bullock carts suggest that this was one important means of transporting goods and people across land routes. Riverine routes along the Indus and its tributaries, as well as coastal routes were also probably used.
What was the name of the highly valued object brought from Afghanistan?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Lapis Lazuli
Shortughai, in far-off Afghanistan, lay near the best source of lapis lazuli, a blue stone that was apparently very highly valued.
NCERT (2026-27): “6.1 Materials from the subcontinent and beyond … The Harappans procured materials for craft production in various ways. For instance, they established settlements such as Nageshwar and Balakot in areas where shell was available. Other such sites were Shortughai, in far-off Afghanistan, near the best source of lapis lazuli, a blue stone that was apparently very highly valued, and Lothal which was near sources of carnelian (from Bharuch in Gujarat), steatite (from south Rajasthan and north Gujarat) and metal (from Rajasthan).…” |