UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 66
Regarding the Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following statements :
- It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene.
- During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Correct Option: C
Explanation: Harappan cities show organised civic infrastructure and secular economic life alongside ritual evidence; cotton cultivation and textile manufacture are well attested.
Statement / Item-wise Analysis:
1: Correct - Accepted in this exam framing: civic, commercial and urban functions are prominent despite evidence of religious practices.
2: Correct - Correct: cotton fibres and textile traces are associated with the Indus Valley civilisation.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - omits supported item 2.
B: Incorrect - omits supported item 1.
C: Correct - includes the supported statements and excludes the unsupported ones.
D: Incorrect - omits supported items 1, 2.
Review Note: “Predominantly secular” is a contested interpretation because Harappan beliefs are incompletely understood and their script remains undeciphered.