Which of the following statements are True for the Harappan script?
A. It contains around 400 signs.
B. It was written from right to left.
C. It has been deciphered.
D. It is alphabetical.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A, B only
A. It contains around 400 signs. Correct. The script has a very large number of signs, somewhere between 375 and 400.
B. It was written from right to left. Correct. 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.
C. It has been deciphered. Incorrect. The Harappan script remains undeciphered to date.
D. It is alphabetical. Incorrect. In an alphabetical script each sign stands for a vowel or a consonant. The Harappan script was evidently not alphabetical, as it has far too many signs for that.
NCERT (2026-27): “7.2 An enigmatic script … 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.…” |