Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 217

Which of the following were NOT mentioned as an archaeological site of an ancient Harappan city?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the geographical location of the Harappan civilization.

Correct Answer: C) Babylonia

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, Civil Services

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

The Harappan civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, was one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world, flourishing in the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent. This civilization is known for its advanced urban planning, sophisticated drainage systems, and standardized weights and measures. The most well-known archaeological sites of this civilization are Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, both located in present-day Pakistan.

Mohenjo-Daro, meaning "Mound of the Dead," is one of the largest and most important sites of the Indus Valley Civilization. It was a major urban center with a population of around 40,000 people. The site is known for its well-planned streets, large public baths, and granaries. The city was built on a grid pattern, with a central marketplace and residential areas surrounding it.

Harappa, the other major site, was the first to be excavated and identified as part of the Indus Valley Civilization. It is located in the Punjab region of Pakistan and was a significant urban center with a population of around 23,500 people. The site is known for its citadel, which was likely used for administrative and religious purposes, and its residential areas, which were built on a grid pattern.

While Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa are well-known archaeological sites of the Harappan civilization, Babylonia is not. Babylonia was an ancient Mesopotamian civilization located in present-day Iraq. It is distinct from the Indus Valley Civilization and is known for its own significant contributions to ancient history, including the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Therefore, the correct answer is Babylonia, as it is not an archaeological site of the ancient Harappan civilization. This question tests the student's knowledge of the geographical and cultural distinctions between different ancient civilizations and their respective archaeological sites.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Incorrect. Mohenjo-Daro is a well-known archaeological site of the ancient Harappan civilization located in present-day Pakistan. It is one of the largest and most important sites of the Indus Valley Civilization.
  • Option B: Incorrect. Harappa is another significant archaeological site of the ancient Harappan civilization, located in present-day Pakistan. It was the first site to be excavated and identified as part of the Indus Valley Civilization.
  • Option C: Correct. Babylonia is not an archaeological site of the ancient Harappan civilization. It is an ancient Mesopotamian civilization located in present-day Iraq, distinct from the Indus Valley Civilization.
  • Option D: Incorrect. This option is not correct because Babylonia is indeed not an archaeological site of the ancient Harappan civilization, making it the correct answer.

Mnemonic: Remember: "M" for Mohenjo-Daro and "H" for Harappa, both in India.

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