UPSC Prelims 2013 Q45: Ancient History – Indus Valley Civilization
Which of the following characterizes/characterize the people of Indus Civilization?
1. They possessed great palaces and temples.
2. They worshipped both male and female deities.
3. They employed horse - drawn chariots in warfare.
Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below.
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1, 2 and 3
- (d) None of the statements given above is correct
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation
People of the Indus Civilization
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. They possessed great palaces and temples | Incorrect | No building has been clearly identified as a palace or temple |
| 2. They worshipped both male and female deities | Correct | The Pashupati (proto-Shiva) seal and many mother goddess figurines |
| 3. They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare | Incorrect | The horse was hardly known; chariots came with the Vedic people |
What the Harappans did have:
| Feature | Example |
|---|---|
| Great public buildings | Great Bath (Mohenjodaro), granaries |
| Town planning | Grid streets, covered drains, citadel and lower town |
| Crafts | Seals, beads, bronze 'dancing girl' |
| Other worship | Trees (pipal), animals, fire altars at Kalibangan |
Answer: (b) 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false; there were no great palaces and temples.
- (b) CORRECT. They worshipped both male and female deities.
- (c) Incorrect. Statements 1 and 3 are false.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 2 is true, so this cannot be right.
Key point
Indus people: Pashupati seal and mother goddess; Great Bath and granaries but no palaces or temples; no horse-drawn chariots.
Remember
Indus: male and female deities, no temples, no horses.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a great civilization must have palaces and temples.
- Giving the Harappans the horse and chariot of the Vedic age.
- Forgetting the Pashupati seal as evidence of a male deity.
Exam tip
Harappa = planned towns without palaces. Vedic = horse and chariot.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII — Themes in Indian History Part I, Ch 1 (Bricks, Beads and Bones)
- R.S. Sharma — India's Ancient Past (The Harappan Culture)