Harappan Civilization Insights and Comparisons

What distinguished the Harappan Civilization from other Bronze Age civilizations like Egypt and Mesopotamia?

• Its extensive use of iron tools and weapons.

• Its focus on monumental religious and political structures.

• Its emphasis on advanced sanitation and urban planning.

• Its powerful military and widespread conquests.

How did the territorial size and population of the Indus Civilization compare to other major Bronze Age civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China?

• It was significantly smaller in both territory and population.

• It was comparable in size but had a much smaller population.

• It had the largest population and territory among them.

• Its territory was larger, but its population was smaller.

Which two major rivers were central to the development and sustenance of the Harappan Civilization?

• Nile and Tigris.

• Euphrates and Yellow.

• Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra.

• Ganges and Brahmaputra.

What evidence suggests that the Harappan Civilization might have had a more egalitarian or decentralized form of governance compared to other contemporary civilizations?

• The discovery of numerous royal tombs and palaces.

• The presence of a powerful state-controlled economy.

• A lack of evidence for kings, priests, or a strong military, alongside a focus on public works.

• Extensive written records detailing a strict class hierarchy.

What does the impressive water management infrastructure, such as the Great Bath and large reservoirs, indicate about Harappan civilization?

• Their primary focus was on military defense.

• They had advanced engineering skills and valued water resources.

• They lacked organized public works.

• Their cities were frequently abandoned due to water scarcity.

What aspect of Harappan society is demonstrated by the consistent 1:2:4 ratio of bricks found across different sites and the standardized weights?

• A lack of centralized authority.

• Significant regional differences in craftsmanship.

• A high degree of standardization and uniformity.

• Limited trade and economic interaction.

What was the main function of the citadels in Harappan cities like Mohenjo-Daro?

• To serve as a primary marketplace for goods.

• To protect against invading armies.

• To provide elevated protection against floods.

• To house the majority of the city's population.