UPSC CSE Prelims
Major Harappan Sites Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice solved questions for Major Harappan Sites with detailed step-by-step solutions, key insights, and trend analysis for UPSC CSE PRELIMS.
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Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — Dholavira
Dholavira, located in Gujarat, is one of the five largest Harappan sites and is world-renowned for its extraordinarily sophisticated water harvesting and management system. The city built a series of dams, reservoirs (16 in total), channels, and interconnected water storage structures to harvest and store rainwater, making it unique among Indus Valley Civilization sites. This elaborate hydraulic engineering demonstrates advanced urban planning and water conservation techniques dating back to around 4500 years ago.
📝 Short Notes: Major Harappan Sites and Their Distinctive Features
| Site | Location | Distinctive Features |
|---|---|---|
| Dholavira | Gujarat (Khadir Island, Kutch) | • Elaborate water harvesting system with 16 reservoirs • Three-part city division (citadel, middle town, lower town) • Large stadium/public gathering area • Earliest known signboard with Harappan inscriptions • Unique dam and channelization system |
| Kalibangan | Rajasthan (Ghaggar River) | • First evidence of ploughed agricultural field • Fire altars indicating ritualistic practices • Mud brick architecture • Pre-Harappan and Harappan phases |
| Rakhigarhi | Haryana | • Largest Harappan site in India • Evidence of advanced jewelry making • Multi-roomed houses and planned settlement • Skeletons showing genetic continuity |
| Ropar (Rupnagar) | Punjab (Sutlej River) | • First Harappan site excavated post-independence (1953) • Overlap of Harappan and later cultures • Burial practices with pottery and ornaments • River-based settlement pattern |
| Lothal | Gujarat | • Dockyard and maritime trade center • Evidence of rice cultivation • Bead-making factory • Fire altars |
| Harappa | Pakistan (Punjab) | • First site to be discovered (1921) • Granaries and fortifications • Cemetery R-37 with multiple burial types • Stone sculptures and seals |
Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — Sohgaura
Sohgaura is not a Harappan site; it is located in Uttar Pradesh and is famous for its copper-plate inscription written in Prakrit using the Brahmi script, dating to the Mauryan period. The other three sites—Chanhudaro and Kot Diji in Sindh, Pakistan, and Desalpur in Gujarat, India—are all authentic Harappan sites.
📝 Short Notes: Harappan Sites
| Site | Location | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Chanhudaro | Sindh, Pakistan | Bead-making, toy carts, footprints of dogs; no citadel found |
| Kot Diji | Sindh, Pakistan | Pre-Harappan and Harappan phases; fortification wall |
| Desalpur | Gujarat, India | Coastal Harappan site; evidence of trade |
| Sohgaura | Uttar Pradesh, India | Mauryan copper-plate inscription in Brahmi script; NOT a Harappan site |
With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them.
- Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron.
- Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — 1 and 3 only
This question tests the comparative understanding of Rigvedic Aryan culture and Indus Valley Civilization. Statement 1 and Statement 3 are correct, while Statement 2 contains a factual error regarding metallurgical knowledge.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Rigvedic Aryans used protective warfare equipment like 'varman' (coat of mail) and helmets, whereas the Indus Valley Civilization, being primarily a peaceful urban society, has not yielded archaeological evidence of such military gear.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The Indus Valley people were part of a Bronze Age civilization and knew gold, silver, copper, and bronze (not iron). Rigvedic Aryans also knew gold, silver, and copper but not iron initially. The statement incorrectly claims IVC people knew only copper and iron, which is factually wrong on both counts.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: The horse was central to Rigvedic Aryan culture with extensive mentions in the Rigveda, whereas there is no clear, widespread evidence of horse domestication or awareness in the Indus Valley Civilization.
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