In the given question, a statement of Assertion is followed by a statement of Reason. Mark the correct answer.

Assertion: It is difficult to conduct extensive excavations at most sites where kings and ruling elites lived from the 6th century BCE to the 6th century CE.

Reason: The region is full of hard stones like granite and reserves of iron which makes digging and drilling a difficult job for the archaeologists.

The Assertion is correct but the Reason is incorrect.

The correct answer is Option 4 - The Assertion is correct but the Reason is incorrect.

The reason is incorrect as it is difficult to conduct extensive excavations at most sites because people live in these areas even today (unlike the Harappan cities).

Urban centres emerged in several parts of the subcontinent from c. sixth century BCE. Many of these were capitals of mahajanapadas. Virtually all major towns were located along routes of communication. Some such as Pataliputra were on riverine routes. Others, such as Ujjayini, were along land routes, and yet others, such as Puhar, were near the coast, from where sea routes began. Many cities like Mathura were bustling centres of commercial, cultural and political activity.

Kings and ruling elites lived in fortified cities. Although it is difficult to conduct extensive excavations at most sites because people live in these areas even today (unlike the Harappan cities), a wide range of artefacts have been recovered from them. These include fine pottery bowls and dishes, with a glossy finish, known as Northern Black Polished Ware, probably used by rich people, and ornaments, tools, weapons, vessels, figurines, made of a wide range of materials – gold, silver, copper, bronze, ivory, glass, shell and terracotta.