Target Exam

CUET

Subject

History

Chapter

Ancient India: Bricks, Beads and Bones

Question:

Choose the correct statements about the Harappan script.

(A) It is deciphered.
(B) It has few signs.
(C) It has 20 signs.
(D) It was written from right to left.
(E) It has been found on seals, copper tools, tablets, etc.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Options:

(D) and (E) only

(A) and (E) only

(B) and (C) only

(C) and (D) only

Correct Answer:

(D) and (E) only

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (1) → (D) and (E) only

(A) It is deciphered. (INCORRECT)
(B) It has few signs. (INCORRECT)
(C) It has 20 signs. (INCORRECT)
(D) It was written from right to left. (CORRECT)
(E) It has been found on seals, copper tools, tablets, etc. (CORRECT)

Harappan seals usually have a line of writing, probably containing the name and title of the owner. Scholars have also suggested that the motif (generally an animal) conveyed a meaning to those who could not read . Most inscriptions are short, the longest containing about 26 signs. Although the script remains undeciphered to date, it was evidently not alphabetical (where each sign stands for a vowel or a consonant) as it has just too many signs – somewhere between 375 and 400. It is apparent that the script was written from right to left as some seals show a wider spacing on the right and cramping on the left, as if the engraver began working from the right and then ran out of space. Consider the variety of objects on which writing has been found: seals, copper tools, rims of jars, copper and terracotta tablets, jewellery, bone rods, even an ancient signboard! Remember, there may have been writing on perishable materials too.