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U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) Mains 2009

Harappan Art

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Which one of the following animals is not depicted on the Harappan seal?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept Harappan seals used animal motifs for administrative, trade, and ritual purposes, reflecting the wildlife and domesticates of the era.

Explanation Thousands of seals depict bulls, elephants, rhinos, and tigers. However, there is not a single uncontested depiction of a horse on any Harappan seal.

Logical Breakup
Horse (C): While some horse bones have been reported at Surkotada, the animal was never used as a motif in their sophisticated seal art.
Bull/Elephant (A/B): These were the most common motifs, symbolizing strength and authority.

Active Recall

Question

What does the absence of the horse on seals suggest?

Answer

It suggests that the horse was not an integral part of Harappan social, economic, or religious life, unlike in the subsequent Vedic period.

Core Insight

The choice of animals on seals provides a 'cultural signature' that distinguishes the Harappans from the horse-centered Vedic tribes.

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