Ancient Indian Civilization and Pre-Historic Period

Correct Answer: 2500 to 1750 BC

Brick platforms used for granaries are seen in the excavation at Lothal.

The Indus Valley Civilisation is historically dated to the Bronze Age. Among the given standard archaeological age options, the Chalcolithic (Copper-Stone) period closely overlaps with its cultural horizon and transition phases.

Correct Answer: Lothal

Mound of the Dead is the local name of Mohenjodaro.

The Indus script remains undeciphered despite numerous attempts by scholars. While some researchers propose connections to Dravidian or other languages, none have been conclusively proven. The script consists of pictographic symbols whose meaning and language affiliation remain unknown.

The salient feature of the Rigvedic religion was worship of nature.
Worship of different forces of nature formed a part of the Rigvedic religious belief. They believed that some divine power works behind these objects of nature such as fire, water, wind, etc.

The ruins of <st1:place w:st="on">Harappa were first noticed in 1842 by Charles Mason. Later, D. R. Sahni noticed them in 1921. 

The Indus Valley Civilization had extensive trade relations with Mesopotamia and other regions. Archaeological evidence shows they worshipped various gods and goddesses, including mother goddess figurines. They had knowledge of wheeled vehicles and carts. Cotton cultivation and use are well-documented at Harappan sites. Option C is the correct statement.

Correct answer is (4). 

The social system of the Harappans was fairly egalitarian.

The Indus Valley Civilization was NOT confined to just Harappa and Mohenjodaro; it spanned over 1,500 sites across a vast region including Kalibangan, Rakhigarhi, Dholavira, Lothal, and many others. The other statements are correct: Harappans had great artistic sense, the Pipal tree was significant in their religion, and Mohenjodaro had the famous Great Bath.

The Harappans used gold, copper, silver, and bronze extensively. However, they did not use iron, as iron technology came to India after the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization with the advent of the later Vedic period and the Iron Age around 1200 BCE. The Harappan civilization was primarily a Bronze Age civilization.

Archaeological excavations at Surkotada in Kutch, Gujarat, have revealed remains of horse bones, providing evidence of horses in the Harappan civilization. This finding is significant as it helps understand the fauna known to Harappans. Other sites like Mohenjodaro, Rakhigarhi, and Kalibangan have not yielded horse remains.

Option (4) is the correct answer.