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QUESTION

GS

Medium

Ancient History

Prelims 2026

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 :

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

Inference 1 is Correct: The wide occurrence of spindle-whorls in Harappan households indicates that spinning was a common domestic activity. The absence of the spinning wheel (which was introduced to India much later during the medieval period) meant that Harappans relied on hand-spinning using drop spindles, which is a highly manual and laborious process.

Inference 2 is Correct: The discovery of highly standardized cubical chert weights and graduated measurement scales (such as the ivory scale at Lothal and shell scale at Mohenjo-Daro) reflects the advanced mathematical, metrological, and scientific knowledge possessed by the Harappans for trade, architecture, and construction.

Inference 3 is Incorrect: The presence of distinct, self-contained houses built with baked bricks, featuring their own private wells, bathing platforms, and large rooms, points toward a private property system and social stratification. A common property system would instead be characterized by shared, communal living spaces and collective ownership of resources.

Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

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