UPSC Prelims 2002 Q15: Ancient History – Indus Valley Civilization
Match List I (Ancient site) with List II (Archaeological finding) and select the correct answer
using the codes given below the lists:
List I (Ancient site)
A. Lothal
B. Kalibangan
C. Dholavira
D. Banawali
List II (Archaeological finding)
1. Ploughed field
2. Dockyard
3. Terracotta replica of a plough
4. An inscription comprising ten large - sized signs of the Harappan script
Codes:
- (a) A - 1, B - 2, C - 3, D - 4
- (b) A - 2, B - 1, C - 4, D - 3
- (c) A - 1, B - 2, C - 4, D - 3
- (d) A - 2, B - 1, C - 3, D - 4
Answer: (b) A - 2, B - 1, C - 4, D - 3
Explanation
Matching ancient sites with archaeological finds
| Site | Finding |
|---|---|
| A. Lothal | 2. Dockyard — the famous Harappan port |
| B. Kalibangan | 1. Ploughed field — furrows found below the Harappan town |
| C. Dholavira | 4. Inscription of ten large signs — the 'signboard' |
| D. Banawali | 3. Terracotta replica of a plough |
Lothal (Gujarat) has the dockyard, Kalibangan (Rajasthan) the ploughed field, Dholavira (Gujarat) the large ten-sign inscription and Banawali (Haryana) the terracotta toy plough. So the code is A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3.
Answer: (b) A - 2, B - 1, C - 4, D - 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. It puts the ploughed field at Lothal and the dockyard at Kalibangan.
- (b) CORRECT. A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3 matches all four sites.
- (c) Incorrect. It swaps the finds of Dholavira and Banawali.
- (d) Incorrect. It swaps the finds of Dholavira and Banawali.
Key point
Harappan site-find pairs: Lothal-dockyard, Kalibangan-ploughed field, Dholavira-signboard and stadium, Banawali-toy plough.
Remember
Lothal dockyard, Kalibangan field, Dholavira signboard, Banawali toy plough.
Common mistakes
- Putting the ploughed field at Banawali because of the plough model.
- Placing the dockyard at Dholavira, which is also in Gujarat.
- Giving the inscription to Kalibangan.
Exam tip
Start with the surest pair, Lothal-dockyard, which removes options (a) and (c).
Sources
- NCERT Class XII — Themes in Indian History I
- Archaeological Survey of India — Harappan sites