Uttarakhand P.C.S. Mains 2006

Harappan Religious Life

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The Indus valley people worshipped-

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept Harappan religion is reconstructed through icons and seals that show striking parallels with later Hindu deities.

Explanation The discovery of the Pashupati Seal at Mohenjo-Daro shows a three-faced figure in a yogic posture, identified by John Marshall as 'Proto-Shiva'.

Logical Breakup
Shiva (A): Harappans worshipped a male deity often associated with animals (Pashupati) and fertility (Lingas).
Exclusions: Indra and Varun (B) were the primary gods of the Vedic period, which came *after* the Indus Civilization.

Active Recall

Question

Which animals surround the figure in the Pashupati seal?

Answer

An elephant, a tiger, a rhinoceros, and a buffalo, with two deer beneath his throne.

Core Insight

The identification of Pashupati Shiva in Harappa suggests a significant cultural continuity between the Indus Civilization and later Indian religious traditions.