Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → pillar bases and platforms
Option (1) pillar bases and platforms — Correct. The project of the early 1980s documented the remains through extensive and intensive surveys. It traced the bazaars through pillar bases and platforms, all that remain of thriving markets.
Option (2) tiny shrines and residences — Incorrect. Tiny shrines and residences are among the thousands of structures the surveys recorded. They are places of worship and living, so they do not mark the market sites.
Option (3) traces of roads and paths — Incorrect. Roads and paths were recovered as traces of their own, beside the bazaars. They are routes through the city, so they do not show where the markets stood.
Option (4) storage jars and grain bins — Incorrect. Storage jars and grain bins point to the storing of goods. The surveys located the markets through the remains of their structures.
NCERT (2026-27): “6. Plotting Palaces, Temples and Bazaars … “As you can see, these detailed surveys have been extremely painstaking, and have recovered and documented traces of thousands of structures – from tiny shrines and residences to elaborate temples. They have also led to the recovery of traces of roads, paths, bazaars, etc. The latter have been located through finds of pillar bases and platforms – all that remain of thriving markets.” |