Question

'Traces of cals have been found at the Harappan archaeological site of Shortughai in Afghanistan but not in Punjab or Sindh.'
Identify the explation provided by archaeologists from the following:

• A. Agricultural tools in Afghanistan were more advanced than in Punjab.
• B. Archaeologists have not excavated Punjab and Sindh thoroughly.
• C. Punjab and Sindh had higher rainfall than Shortughai.
• D. Shortughai had access to the perennial rivers of the Himalayas.

Hint:

For board exams, the standard NCERT-derived answer for why cals are not found in Punjab/Sindh is: “It is highly likely that ancient cals in these regions silted up long ago.” Keep this primary explation in mind for descriptive answers.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Reference to NCERT Core Text:
According to the standard NCERT textbook (*Themes in Indian History, Part-I*), the main explation given for why traces of cals are found at Shortughai in Afghanistan but not in Punjab or Sindh is that “it is possible that ancient cals silted up long ago” or that “water drawn from wells was used for irrigation” in Punjab and Sindh.

Step 2: Evaluating the Options Provided in this Exam Set:
Since the direct textbook option of “ancient cals silting up” is not explicitly present in the listed options, we must systematically evaluate the options provided in the question paper:
• Option (A): Incorrect. There is absolutely no evidence that agricultural technology or tools in Afghanistan were different or more advanced; Harappan technology was remarkably uniform.
• Option (B): Incorrect. Punjab and Sindh are among the most heavily and thoroughly excavated areas of the Harappan civilization (e.g., Harappa and Mohenjodaro).
• Option (D): Incorrect. Both regions had access to perennial river networks (Punjab/Sindh are situated directly on the Indus and its major tributaries, which are perennial Himalayan rivers, while Shortughai is near the Oxus river).
• Option (C): This option points to the geographical and climatic differences. Shortughai in northeastern Afghanistan is a highly arid, mountainous territory far removed from monsoon patterns, making cal irrigation a strict, absolute necessity for any farming. In contrast, parts of Punjab and Sindh (especially during the Harappan era) had slightly better annual rainfall or experienced regular river flooding, which turally watered the fields, meaning cal reliance was less critical.

Step 3: Conclusion:
By elimition, option (C) is the most logical explation among the choices provided in this specific question.