Shortughai, a Harappan trading post in Afghanistan, was important to the Harappans for the possible supply of :
- A.Conch shells
- B.Iron
- C.Copper
- D.Lapis lazuli and camel
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is D, Lapis lazuli and camel. Shortughai lay close to the Badakhshan mines of north-eastern Afghanistan, the best-known ancient source of the blue stone lapis lazuli.
Shortughai stands on the Amu Darya (Oxus), far from the Indus heartland. Archaeologists found typical Harappan pottery, seals, beads and bricks there, which shows it was a settlement set up by the Harappans to obtain a precious material. Lapis lazuli was highly valued for beads and ornaments, and the region also connected the Harappans with Central Asian routes where the Bactrian camel was used. Such distant outposts show how far Harappan trade reached for raw materials.
A is wrong because conch shells came from coastal sites such as Nageshwar and Balakot. B is wrong because the Harappans did not use iron at all; it was a Bronze Age culture. C is wrong because copper came mainly from the Khetri area of Rajasthan and from Oman.
Exam tip: Shortughai for lapis lazuli, Khetri for copper, Nageshwar and Balakot for shell, Lothal as the dockyard.
Practice Questions
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- D.William Jones
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Show answer
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