Harappan urban planning was sophisticated, featuring a grid layout in major cities where main roads intersected at right angles. However, this was not universally applied to all roads and lanes within the city, and smaller streets or those in less prominent areas were not always perfectly straight or right- angled. Thus, statement 1 is correct. A highly distinctive feature of the Harappan civilization was the remarkable uniformity and standardization of brick sizes (typically in the ratio 1:2:4 for thickness, width, and length) used for construction across different sites, for both houses and city walls. This demonstrates advanced planning and organization, making statement 2 correct.
Consider the following statements about Harappan cities: 1. Roads were not always absolutely straight and did not always cross one another at right angles. 2. A striking feature is the uniformity in the average size of the bricks for houses and for city walls. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Asked in UPSC CDS 2 2016 · Topic: Indus Valley Civilization (Salient Features of Town Planning and Urban Architecture)
More Ancient History of India questions
- Based on findings of excavation of Harappan Civilization, what are not true? (i) For all kinds of constructions, same size of bricks were used. (ii) Mostly all the houses were single storey. (iii) Main roads were on average ten meters in width.
- Consider the following statements: 1. The Great Bath was the most important public place of Mohenjodaro made for ritual bathing. 2. The floor of the bath was made of burnt bricks. Which of the statement(s) given below is/are correct?
- The following sentences describe one of the sites of the Harappan civilization: 'The settlement is divided into two sections, one smaller but higher and the other much larger but lower. Archaeologists designate these as the Citadel and the lower town respectively. Both were walled. Several buildings were built on platforms, which served as foundations.' Which of the following sites does it refer to ?
- Which of the following is not a part of Artificial Fort? - (5) Question not attempted
- In which site of Indus-Saraswati civilization, wooden drain was also used in the houses? - (5) Question not attempted
- Which of the following is an example of ancient town planning?
- With reference to the Harappan Civilization, consider the following statements: 1. Harappan script was an exact replica of Egyptian and Mesopotamian script, indicating their cultural links. 2. The usage of standard weights and measurements throughout the civilization represented the uniformity of the Harappan culture. 3. The Harappan pottery was mostly handmade as they were unaware of potter's wheel. How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Harappan script was an exact replica of Egyptian and Mesopotamian script, indicating their cultural links This is incorrect. While there are some similarities in script development in ancient civilizations, the Harappan script is unique and has not been fully deciphered. It is not an exact replica of Egyptian or Mesopotamian scripts. Connections are inferred from trade and cultural exchanges, not from identical scripts. 2. The usage of standard weights and measurements throughout the civilization represented the uniformity of the Harappan culture This is correct. The discovery of standardized weights and measures (like the binary system for weights) across numerous Harappan sites indicates a high degree of political and economic organization and uniformity in their culture. 3. The Harappan pottery was mostly handmade as they were unaware of potter's wheel This is incorrect. Harappan pottery was predominantly wheel-made, indicating advanced technological knowledge. Handmade pottery existed but was not the norm, and they were certainly aware of and utilized the potter's wheel extensively. 248. The main characteristic of the Indus Valley Civilization was