upscools
Harappan Economy and Crafts

Bead-Making in Harappan Civilization | Crafts & Tools

Harappan bead-making involved gold, shells, and semi-precious stones. Chanhudaro was a major workshop center, while Banawali did not yield beads in various preparation stages as a factory site.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII History

Archived:

Updated:

Which one among the following is not true of bead-making as a salient feature of mature Harappan crafts?

[CAPF 2014]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


Harappan bead-making was a specialized craft involving precise technologies for drilling, polishing, and firing a wide range of organic and inorganic materials.

Authentic Source Evidence


Chanhudaro and Lothal are recognized as dedicated bead-making centers where entire workshops with unfinished materials have been found. Banawali, while yielding beads, was primarily a fortified citadel site and not a specialized workshop hub of this kind.

Analytical Breakdown


  • Logic 1: Option A is correct; materials included Carnelian, Jasper, Crystal, Quartz, Steatite, and various metals.

  • Logic 2: Option B is correct; unfinished objects (wastage) are the primary way archaeologists identify factory sites.

  • Logic 3: Option C is correct; Chanhudaro is the most famous site for bead-making furnaces.

    • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

    "Which material was easiest for Harappan bead-makers to work with?"

    Steatite, a very soft stone that could be easily molded into beads and then fired to harden.

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

    "The existence of dedicated craft centers like Chanhudaro indicates a high degree of labor specialization and surplus-driven trade."

    Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

    Chanhudaro 3Lothal 2Steatite 3
    UPSC Question Bank | Verified
    Live Archive Status