Q. Which of the following characterizes/characterize the religious beliefs and practices of the Indus Valley Civilization?
1.They constructed large congregational temples dedicated to a supreme priestly monarch.
2.They practiced symbolic worship of trees, animals, and terracotta female figurines.
3.They employed horse-drawn chariots in sacred ceremonial processions.
Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below:
Answer: B
Notes:
Detailed Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect: No monumental temples, shrines, or royal religious buildings have ever been identified at any Harappan site. Harappan religion was predominantly decentralized and non-monumental.
- Statement 2 is correct: Seals and terracotta artifacts demonstrate worship of nature—including sacred trees (peepal), mythical animals (unicorn), real animals (humped bull, elephant), and female Mother Goddess figurines alongside a proto-Shiva figure.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: Horse-drawn chariots were completely absent in the Indus Valley Civilization. Spokes-wheel technology and horse warfare were introduced much later during the Vedic period.
