2013 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2013 · GS Paper I

Question 45: History and Culture

Which of the following characterizes/characterize the people of Indus Civilization?

  1. 1.They possessed great palaces and temples.
  2. 2.They worshipped both male and female deities.
  3. 3.They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare.

Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below.

a1 and 2 only
b2 only
c1, 2 and 3
dNone of the statements given above is correct

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

Excavations at Harappan sites reveal no palaces or temples, only citadels, granaries and baths, and no building is clearly religious. A seal showing a horned male figure (the 'proto-Shiva' seal) and many terracotta figurines of a mother goddess show that both male and female deities were worshipped. The horse is not firmly established for the mature Harappans, and no horse-drawn chariots in warfare have been found. Only statement 2 is correct.

  • 1. No palaces or temples have been clearly identified.
  • 2. Seals and figurines show male and female deities.
  • 3. There is no evidence of horse-drawn chariots in Harappan warfare.
Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong. There is no clear evidence of palaces and temples.
  • (b) Correct. Only worship of male and female deities is supported.
  • (c) Wrong. Palaces, temples and horse-drawn chariots are not supported.
  • (d) Wrong. Statement 2 is correct.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2013, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.