MPPCS (Pre) 2021

Harappan Nature Worship

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The shape of which tree is found in the seals from the Indus Civilization?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept Harappan religious life was deeply connected to nature, with the Peepal tree acting as a central sacred motif in their art.

Explanation Multiple seals discovered at Mohenjo-daro and Harappa depict the Peepal tree (Ficus religiosa), often with a deity standing among its branches, signifying its sanctity.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Peepal is the most frequently depicted flora in IVC iconography.
Logic 2: Its heart-shaped leaves are easily recognizable in the intaglio carvings of steatite seals.

Active Recall

Question

What does the Peepal tree represent in Indus iconography?

Answer

It is believed to represent the 'Tree of Life' or the abode of a nature spirit/deity who controlled fertility and life.

Core Insight

The reverence for the Peepal tree in the Indus Civilization shows an incredible cultural continuity that persists in Indian religious traditions today.