Question map
Which one of the following statements about the Harappan Culture is not correct?
Explanation
The Harappan Culture, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, belongs to the Bronze Age [2]. While the Harappans were highly skilled in metallurgy, they primarily used copper and bronze for tools and ornaments [2]. Iron was not known to the Harappans; it only came into wide use in the Indian subcontinent after the decline of the Indus Civilization, around 1000 BCE during the Vedic period [4]. Regarding the other options, the Harappan culture indeed witnessed the first urbanisation and cities in the subcontinent [4]. They utilized a script, often found on steatite seals, which is generally believed to have been written from right to left [5]. Furthermore, they used stone (such as steatite and limestone) and terracotta as mediums for sculpting famous figures like the 'Bearded Priest' and various seals [1]. Therefore, the statement regarding the use of iron for sculpting is incorrect.
Sources
- [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 1: Early India: From the Beginnings to the Indus Civilisation > Metals, Tools and Weapons > p. 12
- [4] https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/fees106.pdf
- [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
- [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_script