Question

Which of the following statements about the Harappan economy are correct ?
I. Urban centres provide remains of organized craft production.
II. Use of iron tools for agriculture was common.
III. Evidence of seals indicates long distance trade.
IV. Standardised weights point towards regulated trade contacts.

• A. II, III and IV
• B. I, II and III
• C. I, III and IV
• D. I, II and IV

Hint:

The Harappans were uware of iron. If an option mentions iron tools in the context of the Harappan civilization, it is instantly incorrect!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: The Harappan economy was a mature, highly structured network involving intensive craft manufacturing, interl domestic distribution, and extensive intertiol maritime trade.

Step 1: Checking Statement I Excavations at urban locations like Chanhudaro, Lothal, and geshwar show clear waste products, bone/shell fragments, and specialized tools. These finds verify the existence of organized, dedicated craft workshops. Thus, Statement I is correct.

Step 2: Checking Statement II The Indus Valley Civilization was chronologically a Bronze Age Civilization. The metallurgy of smelting and forging iron was completely unknown to Harappans; iron tools only came into use in India later during the Vedic Era (c. 1000 BCE). Thus, Statement II is false.

Step 3: Checking Statement III Harappan seals have been excavated in large quantities at distant foreign locations like Mesopotamia, Oman, and Bahrain. This confirms robust long-distance maritime and overland trade contacts. Thus, Statement III is correct.

Step 4: Checking Statement IV Harappans possessed a remarkably precise, standardized system of weights made of chert, which generally followed a biry system at lower values and a decimal system at higher values. This indicates strict market regulation and institutiolized transaction controls. Thus, Statement IV is correct. Conclusion: Statements I, III, and IV are correct, corresponding to Option (C).