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UPSC CSE / UPPCS

Harappan Expansion

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

In which state of India is the Harappan Civilization site Mandi situated?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: D

Concept The eastward expansion of the Indus Valley Civilization into the Ganga-Yamuna Doab occurred during the late Harappan phase.

Explanation Mandi is located in the Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh. It gained fame when a massive hoard of Harappan jewelry was accidentally discovered there in 2000.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Mandi is often confused with Manda (Jammu). Mandi is strictly in Western Uttar Pradesh.
Logic 2: It represents the terminal phase of the civilization where settlements became smaller and moved towards fertile alluvial plains.

Active Recall

Question

Why is Mandi considered a 'Late Harappan' site?

Answer

It dates to the period after 1900 BCE when the urban features of the Indus Valley began to decline and shift eastward.

Core Insight

The discovery of Mandi expanded the known boundaries of the Indus Civilization further into the heart of India than previously thought.

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