Statement I is correct. The Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization) is not limited to the Indus river valley. Its sites are spread over a vast geographical area covering parts of present-day Pakistan and northwestern India, including regions like Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, etc., extending far beyond the immediate Indus river basin. Statement II is correct. A distinctive feature of the pottery of the Mature Harappan period is that it is typically red or reddish-orange coloured ware, frequently decorated with intricate designs painted in black pigment.
"The civilization was first identified in 1921 at Harappa and then in 1922 at Mohenjo-Daro." This statement is correct. Archaeological excavations led by Dayaram Sahni at Harappa in 1921 and by R.D. Banerji at Mohenjo-Daro in 1922 were pivotal in identifying the Indus Valley Civilization. Sir John Marshall, Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, officially announced the discovery of the civilization in 1924. 2. "The outstanding magnitude of both the cities suggests political centralization, either in two large states or in a single empire with alternative capitals." This statement is correct. The remarkable uniformity in town planning, brick size, weights and measures, and the scale of public works (like drainage systems and large structures) across widely separated sites like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro strongly suggests a degree of centralized control or coordination, possibly indicating a single large state or empire with these cities as administrative centres. 3. "The southern region of the civilization, on the Kathiawar Peninsula and beyond, appears to be of later origin than the major Indus sites." This statement is correct. Major sites like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro are considered part of the early and mature Harappan periods. The expansion of the civilization into regions like Gujarat (Kathiawar Peninsula) occurred during the Mature Harappan phase, and many sites in this region (like Lothal, Rangpur) also show continued occupation into the Late Harappan period, post-dating the decline of the major core cities. 42. Which of the following statements about the Indus Valley Civilization is/are correct? I. Sites of the Indus Valley Civilization are not confined to the valley of the Indus river. II. Typical pottery of the Indus Valley Civilization is red, as designs painted on it in black.
Asked in GPSC Prelims CSP 1 2021 · Topic: Indus Valley Civilization (Discovery, Nomenclature, and Geographical Extent)
More Ancient History of India questions
- Which of the following statements are correct regarding Indus Valley Civilization? 1. Fire-altars were a special feature of the Vedic Age which were completely absent in the Indus Valley Civilization. 2. Gujarat has a large number of the Indus Valley Civilization sites whereas Rajasthan has comparatively fewer Harappan sites. 3. Indus Valley Civilization was primarily an urban civilization whereas Kunal has yielded evidence of rural setup.
- Which Indus Valley sites are in India? 1. Dholavira 2. Rakhigarhi 3. Mohen-jo-Daro 4. Ganweriwala
- In the Mesopotamian records, which one of the following terms was used for the Indus Valley (Harappans) ?
- Which of the following match is not correct in regard to the origin of Harappan civilization? (1) E.J.H. Mackay - Migration of people from Sumer (2) Mortimer Wheeler - Migration of 'idea of civilization' from West Asia. (3) Amalananda Ghosh - Pre-Harappan culture matured to make Harappan civilization (4) M. Rafique Mughal - Harappan civilization was inspired by Mesopotamian civilization.
- Who was the Director General of Archaeological survey of India at the time of Indus Valley excavation?
- Eastern boundary of the Harappa culture is indicated by which of the following?
- The Harappan civilization covered an extensive area of present South Asia. The geographic space covered by this civilization included
- Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?