Harappan Civilization Questions and Answers – Page 3

If it asks about a site, recall its location, river, excavator, and special discovery. If it concerns an artefact, distinguish the place where it was found from the material or interpretation attached to it. If it concerns dates, separate Early, Mature, and Late Harappan phases. A copper/bronze chariot was found at Daimabad in Maharashtra. Daimabad is the southernmost Harappan site in India, located on the Pravara river in Ahmednagar district. The chariot along with other bronze figurines makes Daimabad famous for its copper/bronze art.

If it asks about a site, recall its location, river, excavator, and special discovery. If it concerns dates, separate Early, Mature, and Late Harappan phases. Archaeological interpretations may change when new evidence appears, so use the standard association accepted in school texts and competitive examinations. People of the Sindhu Valley Civilization wore both cotton and woollen clothing. Evidence of cotton cloth has been found at Mohenjodaro, and wool has been found at various sites. Silk was not in use by the Harappan people — silk came to India much later.

If it asks about a site, recall its location, river, excavator, and special discovery. If it concerns an artefact, distinguish the place where it was found from the material or interpretation attached to it. Archaeological interpretations may change when new evidence appears, so use the standard association accepted in school texts and competitive examinations. Evidence of field plowing was found at Kalibanga in Rajasthan. A plowed field with furrows running in two directions was discovered, indicating the practice of double-cropping. This is the earliest evidence of plowing in the Indian subcontinent and a top SSC/UPSC fact.

The majority of Indus Valley Civilization inhabitants belonged to the Mediterranean racial group (also called Dravidians). Skeletal analysis from various Harappan sites confirms Mediterranean race as the dominant population, followed by Proto-Australoid, Alpine, and Mongoloid groups.

If it asks about a site, recall its location, river, excavator, and special discovery. If it concerns dates, separate Early, Mature, and Late Harappan phases. Archaeological interpretations may change when new evidence appears, so use the standard association accepted in school texts and competitive examinations. The Harappan Civilization had extensive trade connections with Iran, Afghanistan, Rajasthan (for copper from Khetri), and even Rome (evidence of Indus goods found in Roman sites). The wide trade network made Harappa one of the most commercially active civilizations of the ancient world.

If it concerns an artefact, distinguish the place where it was found from the material or interpretation attached to it. If it concerns dates, separate Early, Mature, and Late Harappan phases. The Swastika symbol found in Harappan Civilization is associated with Sun worship. The Swastika represents the revolving Sun and its arms show the directional movement. Its prevalence in Harappan sites suggests that Sun worship was an important part of Harappan religion.

If it concerns dates, separate Early, Mature, and Late Harappan phases. The Harappan people were the first in India to use silver. Silver ornaments, vessels, and artifacts have been found at various Harappan sites including Mohenjodaro and Allahdino. This predates the Vedic period silver use and is an important SSC and UPSC exam fact.

If it concerns an artefact, distinguish the place where it was found from the material or interpretation attached to it. If it concerns dates, separate Early, Mature, and Late Harappan phases. Ragi (finger millet) is not found in Harappan agricultural evidence and is considered unknown to Harappan people. Harappans cultivated wheat, barley, cotton, peas, sesame, and mustard. Cotton was their most famous crop — Greeks called it 'Sindon' after Sindhu river.

If it concerns dates, separate Early, Mature, and Late Harappan phases. The most important characteristic of Harappan cities is their planned layout (town planning). Cities were built on a systematic grid pattern with separate areas for citadel and lower town, covered drains, and standardized bricks — an extraordinary feat for 2500 BC.

Mahadevan) is the most prominent Indian scholar who has worked on the decipherment of the Indus/Harappan script. Finnish scholar Asko Parpola has also done extensive work. The script remains undeciphered officially.