Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect ★ Bookmarked
Loading…
Q32 (CDS-I/2025) History & Culture › Ancient India › Indus civilisation archaeology Answer Verified

Which one among the following motifs does not appear on Harappan seals ?

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: C
Explanation

Harappan seals, primarily made of steatite, feature a wide variety of animal motifs that served as identity markers or symbolic representations [1]. Common motifs include the humped bull (zebu), which is described as one of the most impressive and recurring themes. Other frequently depicted animals include the elephant, rhinoceros, tiger, and water buffalo [1]. The crocodile, specifically the narrow-snouted gharial often shown holding a fish, is also documented on Harappan seals and tablets [1]. However, the lion is notably absent from the Harappan seal repertoire. While the tiger is a common motif representing the wild grasslands, the lion does not appear in the archaeological record of Indus Valley seals [1]. This distinction is a key characteristic of Harappan iconography, which focused on local fauna like the unicorn, bull, and elephant rather than the lion.

Sources

  1. [1] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: Bricks, Beads and Bones > Bricks, Beads and Bones The Harappan Civilisation > p. 1
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
53%
got it right
✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2001 · Q47 Relevance score: 5.21

Which one of the following animals was NOT represented on the seals and terracotta art of the Harappan culture ?

CAPF · 2020 · Q51 Relevance score: 1.38

Which of the following is/are the most distinctive artefacts of the Harappan Civilisation ? 1. Steatite seal 2. Bricks of a standardised ratio 3. Gold bangles 4. Silver spittoon Select the correct answer using the code given below:

NDA-II · 2011 · Q51 Relevance score: 0.26

Which one among the following is not the characteristic feature of the Harappan settlement ?

CDS-I · 2010 · Q23 Relevance score: -0.43

Which one of the following statements regarding Harappan civilization is correct?