UPSC Prelims 2019 Q7: Ancient History – Indus Valley Civilization
- (a) Chanhudaro
- (b) Kot Diji
- (c) Sohgaura
- (d) Desalpur
Answer: (c) Sohgaura
Explanation
Harappan vs Non-Harappan Sites
| Site | Status | Location | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chanhudaro | Harappan | Sindh, Pakistan | Bead-making and craft centre; lower town without citadel. |
| Kot Diji | Harappan (pre & mature phase) | Sindh, Pakistan | Fortified pre-Harappan/early Harappan site; type-site of Kot Dijian culture. |
| Sohgaura | NOT Harappan | Gorakhpur, UP | Mauryan copper-plate inscription site - one of the earliest known copper-plate records in India, dealing with famine relief. |
| Desalpur | Harappan | Kutch, Gujarat | Fortified Harappan site with citadel, gateway and drainage. |
Sohgaura is a Mauryan-era site (not Harappan). Answer: (c) Sohgaura.
Answer: (c) Sohgaura.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Chanhudaro is a Harappan site in Sindh known for bead-making and craft production.
- (b) Incorrect. Kot Diji is a pre-Harappan/Harappan site and the type-site of Kot Dijian culture.
- (c) CORRECT. Sohgaura (Gorakhpur, UP) is a Mauryan copper-plate inscription site - NOT a Harappan site.
- (d) Incorrect. Desalpur is a Harappan site in Kutch, Gujarat with fortifications.
Key point
Sohgaura = Mauryan copper-plate inscription (famine relief order), NOT Harappan. Chanhudaro, Kot Diji and Desalpur are all Harappan sites.
Remember
Sohgaura in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh is NOT a Harappan site - it is famous for the Sohgaura copper-plate inscription of the Mauryan period, one of the earliest copper-plate records in India dealing with famine relief measures. Chanhudaro, Kot Diji and Desalpur are all Harappan sites.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Sohgaura with Sotka-koh or Sutkagendor (both actually Harappan port sites in Balochistan/Makran coast).
- Assuming any obscure ancient site must be Harappan - Sohgaura is famous for Mauryan copper-plate.
- Forgetting that Desalpur (Kutch) is Harappan - Gujarat has many Harappan sites (Lothal, Dholavira, Rangpur, Rojdi, Desalpur, Kuntasi).
Exam tip
Key non-Harappan trap sites often asked: Sohgaura (Mauryan copper plate), Piprahwa (Buddha relic stupa), Adichanallur (megalithic urn burials), Inamgaon (Chalcolithic Jorwe). Learn to distinguish these from Harappan look-alikes.
Sources
- NCERT Class 12 - Themes in Indian History Part I (Bricks, Beads and Bones: Harappan Civilisation)
- R.S. Sharma - India's Ancient Past