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:

Harappan = Bronze Age (Copper/Bronze). Vedic = Iron Age. "No Iron" is a common trap in Harappan civilization questions. The presence of Harappan seals in Persian Gulf sites is proof of global trade 4500 years ago.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:

• The Harappan economy was based on a combination of highly productive agriculture, specialized craft production, and an extensive trade network.
• They possessed advanced technologies in metallurgy, though they were limited to certain types of metals available in the Bronze Age.

Step 1: Analyzing craft and industrial production
Excavations in cities like Chanhudaro and Lothal have provided abundant remains of craft production, including bead-making, shell-cutting, and metal-working.
The presence of specialized tools and raw material waste confirms organized industrial activity. Statement I is correct.

Step 2: Evaluating agricultural technology and metals
The Indus Valley Civilization belonged to the Chalcolithic/Bronze Age.
While they used copper and bronze for tools, iron was completely unknown to them.
Iron tools for agriculture only became common in the later Vedic period (c. 1000 BCE onwards). Statement II is incorrect.

Step 3: Assessing trade and regulation
Harappan seals have been found in Mesopotamia, and Mesopotamian texts mention trade with "Meluhha" (likely the Indus region). This confirms long-distance maritime and land trade. Statement III is correct.
The Harappans also used a highly standardized system of weights (usually in binary and decimal multiples) which suggests a central regulation of trade. Statement IV is correct.
Since I, III, and IV are correct, the answer is option (C).