[Solved] Characteristics of Indus Valley People | Religious Beliefs

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:

[UPSC CSE Prelims 2013, Paper I]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

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

Authentic Source Evidence

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

Analytical Breakdown

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.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

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

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

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

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

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Pashupati Seal 5

Analysing authentic UPSC CSE Prelims , Paper Iprevious year questions is non-negotiable for serious aspirants. Thoroughly decoding past exam trends related to Harappan Social Life helps you understand the examiner's mindset. Mastering specific entities like Indus Civilization characteristics and Harappan religion builds the analytical intuition needed to clear the exam. Practice Previous Year Questions here →

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: