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Harappan Civilization

History & Culture

Useful for: UPSC Civil Services

Overview

The Harappan (Indus Valley) civilisation (mature phase c. 2600–1900 BCE) was a Bronze Age urban culture with planned cities, standard weights and long-distance trade.

Key points

  • Harappa was excavated by Daya Ram Sahni (1921) and Mohenjo-daro by R. D. Banerji (1922).
  • Cities had grid plans, baked-brick houses and covered drains; the Great Bath is at Mohenjo-daro.
  • Lothal (Gujarat) had a dockyard; Kalibangan (Rajasthan) shows a ploughed field and fire altars; Dholavira (Gujarat) had elaborate water reservoirs and became a UNESCO site in 2021.
  • Rakhigarhi (Haryana) is among the largest Harappan sites.
  • The script is undeciphered and mostly written right to left; iron was not used.
  • Trade with Mesopotamia is attested; Mesopotamian texts call the region "Meluhha".

Practice MCQs

  1. From the perspective of definition and scope, which one of the following statements about Harappan Civilization is correct?

    1. The Harappan script has been conclusively deciphered and provides a continuous dynastic chronology.
    2. Harappan Civilization is unrelated to institutions, processes or real-world applications.
    3. Harappan Civilization has no exceptions or limitations in exam analysis.
    4. Harappan urbanism featured planned streets, drainage and standardized material culture in many major sites.

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    Show answer

    Answer: (d) Harappan urbanism featured planned streets, drainage and standardized material culture in many major sites.. Harappan urbanism featured planned streets, drainage and standardized material culture in many major sites.

  2. Consider the following statements on Harappan Civilization, focusing on definition and scope: 1. The Harappan script has been conclusively deciphered and provides a continuous dynastic chronology. 2. Harappan urbanism featured planned streets, drainage and standardized material culture in many major sites. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2

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    Show answer

    Answer: (b) 2 only. Statement 2 is correct; Statement 1 is a common misconception.

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