Match List-I with List-II:
| List-I Sites | List-II Materials | ||
| (A) | Balakot | (I) | Carnelian |
| (B) | Shortughai | (II) | Steatite |
| (C) | Lothal | (III) | Shell |
| (D) | South Rajasthan | (IV) | Lapis lazuli |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (A) - (III), (B) - (IV), (C) - (I), (D) - (II)
(A) Balakot — this matches (III) Shell. The Harappans set up settlements such as Nageshwar and Balakot where shell was available; both lie near the coast and were centres for making shell bangles, ladles and inlay.
(B) Shortughai — this matches (IV) Lapis lazuli. This settlement in far-off Afghanistan was near the best source of lapis lazuli, a blue stone the Harappans valued very highly.
(C) Lothal — this matches (I) Carnelian. Lothal in Gujarat was near the sources of carnelian, which came from Bharuch, as well as of steatite and metal.
(D) South Rajasthan — this matches (II) Steatite. Steatite came from south Rajasthan and north Gujarat. This soft stone was used for seals and for tiny beads.
Note: In this match, an item can have more than one match:
(C) Lothal → both (I) Carnelian and (II) Steatite. Lothal was near the sources of carnelian (from Bharuch in Gujarat) and also near the sources of steatite (from south Rajasthan and north Gujarat), as well as of metal.
Even so, Option (4) is still the only possible answer.
NCERT (2025-26): “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).…” |