Consider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns :
- I.There is wide occurrence of spindle-whorls in the houses but absence of spinning wheels.
- II.Weights and measurement scales, complete with graduations have been discovered.
- III.There are houses built in large part with baked bricks, around relatively spacious courtyards, with their own wells, bathing platforms, and large rooms.
Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements ?
- 1.Statement I suggests that spinning was a laborious activity done at home.
- 2.Statement II suggests the extent of the scientific knowledge that the Harappans possessed.
- 3.Statement III suggests the emergence of a common property system.
Select the answer using the code given below :
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Answer: A. Inference 1 holds: many spindle-whorls but no spinning wheels shows spinning was done by hand at home, which was laborious. Inference 2 holds: graduated weights and scales show mathematical and measuring knowledge. Inference 3 does not follow: large private houses with their own wells show differences in wealth and private property, not a common property system. So 1 and 2 only.
Watch for: 'Common property' sounds like Harappan uniformity, but spacious private houses suggest the opposite.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Wrong because big individual houses point to private property and inequality, not common property.
- C. Wrong because inference 3 is not supported and inference 2 is left out.
- D. Wrong because inference 3 is not supported by the evidence.
Source to check: NCERT Class 12 'Themes in Indian History Part I', Chapter 1 'Bricks, Beads and Bones'; Irfan Habib, 'The Indus Civilization' (A People's History of India, Vol. 2)
Answer from the provisional UPSC key; it may change when the final key is out. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.