Regarding the Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following statements:It was predominantly a se

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UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2011 UPSC Prelims History paper.

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Question

Regarding the Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following statements:It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene.During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: C — Both 1 and 2Step-by-step Solution:Statement 1 — Indus Valley Civilization was predominantly secular: This is correct. Unlike ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, or later Vedic India — where religion, temples, and priestly class dominated urban planning and society — the Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilization shows remarkably few distinctly religious structures. There are no grand temples, no obvious priestly palaces, no clear religious iconography dominating public buildings. The Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro may have had ritual significance, but there is nothing comparable to the massive temples of Egypt or Mesopotamia. The famous 'Priest-King' figure and the many female figurines (possibly a mother goddess cult) suggest religious beliefs — but the overall impression of Harappan cities is of a well-ordered, trade-oriented, secular urban civilisation where religion, while present, did not dominate civic planning. RS Sharma and other historians of ancient India take this view. ✓Statement 2 — Cotton was used for textile manufacturing: This is correct. The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600–1900 BCE) is credited with being one of the earliest civilisations to cultivate and use cotton for textiles. Archaeological evidence includes: charred cotton fibres and seeds found at Mehrgarh (Balochistan), one of the earliest agricultural sites (c. 5000 BCE); a silver vase at Mohenjo-daro showing evidence of cotton thread (c. 3000 BCE); Cotton in ancient India was referred to as 'sindon' by Greek authors. Cotton cultivation in the Indus Valley predates its use in other parts of the world — ancient Greeks called cotton 'sindon' derived from the Indian Sanskrit word. ✓Key Concept: Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan) — key features: Urban planning (grid pattern streets, covered drains); Great Bath (Mohenjo-daro) — possibly ritual/bathing use; Standardised weights and measures; Seals with undeciphered Harappan script; No clear evidence of: palaces, temples, armies, weapons; Trade connections: Mesopotamia (Gulf of Khambhat trade), Central Asia; Decline theories: Aryan invasion (now largely discredited), climate change/drought, flooding, tectonic changes; Major sites: Harappa (Pakistan), Mohenjo-daro (Pakistan), Lothal (Gujarat — ancient dockyard), Dholavira (Gujarat — recent UNESCO WHS designation), Rakhigarhi (Haryana — largest Harappan site), Kalibangan (Rajasthan).

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