Question
GSMediumPrelims 2011Ancient History

Regarding the Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following statements:

  1. It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene,
  2. During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Explanation

Statement 1 is Correct: The Indus Valley Civilization is considered predominantly secular because, unlike contemporary civilizations in Mesopotamia and Egypt, no monumental religious structures like temples or grand royal tombs have been discovered. While religious elements existed—evidenced by the Pashupati seal, Mother Goddess figurines, and fire altars—they did not dominate the socio-political or administrative structure of the civilization.

Statement 2 is Correct: The Harappans were the earliest people in the world to produce cotton. Archaeological evidence, including fragments of woven cotton cloth found at Mohenjo-Daro and the presence of numerous spindle whorls, confirms that cotton was widely used for manufacturing textiles during this period.

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