UPSC CSE Prelims 2013, Paper I

Harappan Social Life

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

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:

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept Understanding the social and religious fabric of the Harappan civilization based on archaeological remains rather than literary evidence.

Explanation Archaeologists have found no structures definitely identifiable as 'temples' in IVC. However, seals depicting Pashupati and terracotta figurines of the Mother Goddess are abundant.

Logical Breakup

Logic 1: Statement 1 is incorrect; while they had granaries and 'citadels', there are no identifiable palaces or temples.

Logic 2: Statement 2 is correct; evidence of the Mother Goddess and a male deity (proto-Shiva) indicates worship of both genders.

Logic 3: Statement 3 is incorrect; horse-drawn chariots are a hallmark of the Vedic period, not the Harappan period.

Active Recall

Question

If there were no temples, how did the Indus people practice religion?

Answer

Religion was likely integrated into daily life and performed at domestic altars or community structures like the Great Bath, focusing on nature and fertility.

Core Insight

The absence of grandiose religious or royal monuments in IVC suggests a social structure vastly different from contemporary Egypt or Mesopotamia.

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:

Solution & Analysis

Active Recall

Core Insight

Practice Navigation