Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?
Contents11
- AChanhudaro
- BKot Diji
- CSohgaura
- DDesalpur
Show answer
Answer: (C) Sohgaura
The correct answer is (C) — Sohgaura.
Sohgaura (in Uttar Pradesh) is associated with an ancient copper plate inscription from the Mauryan period, NOT the Harappan civilization.
Chanhudaro (Sindh), Kot Diji (Sindh), and Desalpur (Gujarat) are all Harappan/Indus Valley Civilization sites.
Tip:
- Sohgaura = Mauryan-era copper plate.
- The other three are Harappan sites.
Sohgaura is famous for a Mauryan-period copper plate inscription, not Harappan civilization, while Chanhudaro, Kot Diji, and Desalpur are all genuine Harappan sites.
UPSC is testing whether students can distinguish between different ancient civilizations and their archaeological sites, as many site names sound similar across periods.
Major Harappan Sites
Ancient And Medieval History Chanhudaro Kot Diji Desalpur Harappan site
Major Harappan Sites: Distribution & Key Features
Harappan Civilization (2600-1900 BCE) had over 1400 sites across Pakistan and India
Chanhudaro, Kot Diji, Desalpur are authentic Harappan sites mentioned in this question
Sites span from Afghanistan to Gujarat, with major concentrations in Sindh and Punjab
Each site shows urban planning with drainage, brick construction, and standardized weights
The Indus Valley Civilization was spread across a vast area from modern-day Afghanistan to Gujarat. UPSC frequently tests knowledge of authentic Harappan sites versus sites from other periods — this question's trap was Sohgaura, which belongs to the Mauryan period, not Harappan.
Sites from This Question
Site | Location | Status | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
Chanhudaro | Sindh, Pakistan | Harappan site | Bead-making center, no citadel |
Kot Diji | Sindh, Pakistan | Harappan site | Pre-Harappan and Harappan phases |
Desalpur | Gujarat, India | Harappan site | Coastal Harappan settlement |
Sohgaura | Uttar Pradesh, India | NOT Harappan | Mauryan copper plate inscription |
Major Harappan Sites by Region
Region | Major Sites | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
Sindh (Pakistan) | Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Chanhudaro, Kot Diji | Most important urban centers |
Punjab (Pak & India) | Harappa, Kalibangan | Agricultural settlements |
Gujarat (India) | Lothal, Dholavira, Surkotada, Desalpur | Maritime trade centers |
Rajasthan (India) | Kalibangan, Balathal | Ploughed fields evidence |
Haryana (India) | Banawali, Rakhigarhi | Large urban settlements |
Geographic Distribution
Source: MapsforUPSC — Indus Valley Civilization: Map, Major Sites, Rivers & Key Facts · mapsforupsc.com
Sohgaura is associated with Mauryan copper plate, not Harappan civilization
Don't confuse Kot Diji (Harappan site) with Kot Diji culture (pre-Harappan phase)
Chanhudaro had no citadel, unlike other major Harappan cities
Desalpur is in Gujarat but many students think all Harappan sites are in Pakistan
Sohgaura Copper Plate
Ancient And Medieval History Sohgaura
Sohgaura Copper Plate: Mauryan Administrative Record
Sohgaura copper plate belongs to Mauryan period (4th-3rd century BCE), not Harappan
Records famine relief measures and administrative instructions
Found in Sohgaura village, Uttar Pradesh in early 20th century
The Sohgaura copper plate is one of the earliest administrative records from ancient India. It demonstrates the Mauryan state's concern for public welfare during famines — a key feature of Mauryan administration that UPSC often tests.
Key Features
Language: Written in Brahmi script and Prakrit language
Content: Instructions for storing grain during famines and distributing food
Historical significance: Shows state intervention in economic crises during Mauryan rule
Archaeological context: Found with other ancient artifacts, confirming Mauryan period dating
UPSC Connection
This question tests whether students can distinguish Mauryan period artifacts from Harappan civilization sites. Sohgaura appears in questions about early inscriptions, famine management, and administrative history — not Harappan archaeology.
Sohgaura sounds similar to other archaeological sites but is Mauryan, not Harappan
Don't confuse with Mahasthan copper plate (also Mauryan) or Harappan seals
The copper plate is about famine relief, not urban planning like Harappan sites
Harappan vs Other Ancient Periods
Ancient And Medieval History
Distinguishing Harappan from Other Ancient Periods
Harappan period: 2600-1900 BCE (Bronze Age, proto-historic)
Mauryan period: 4th-2nd century BCE (Iron Age, historic)
1000+ years gap between end of Harappan and start of Mauryan period
Period Comparison
Period | Timeline | Script/Language | Key Features | Example Sites/Artifacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Harappan | 2600-1900 BCE | Undeciphered script | Urban planning, drainage | Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Chanhudaro |
Vedic | 1500-600 BCE | Oral tradition | Rural settlements, iron use | Hastinapur, Atranjikhera |
Mauryan | 4th-2nd century BCE | Brahmi script | State administration, inscriptions | Sohgaura plate, Ashokan edicts |
Post-Mauryan | 2nd century BCE onwards | Various scripts | Regional kingdoms | Mathura, Sanchi |
Key Distinguishing Features
Harappan: Undeciphered script, sophisticated drainage, no temples/palaces identified
Mauryan: Brahmi inscriptions, centralized administration, Buddhist monuments
Geographic overlap: Both had sites in Gujarat and Punjab, but different time periods
Archaeological evidence: Harappan shows urban decline, Mauryan shows state formation
Chronological Sequence
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Harappan Civilization**
2600-1900 BCE • Urban centers • Bronze Age`"]
s2["`**Post-Harappan Decline**
1900-1500 BCE • Urban decay • Climate change`"]
s3["`**Vedic Period**
1500-600 BCE • Aryan settlements • Iron Age begins`"]
s4["`**Mauryan Empire**
4th-2nd century BCE • Centralized state • Brahmi script`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4Don't mix Harappan sites (Bronze Age) with Mauryan artifacts (Iron Age)
Geographic overlap doesn't mean same time period — Gujarat had both civilizations
Undeciphered Harappan script vs readable Brahmi inscriptions of Mauryan period
Sohgaura type questions test chronological knowledge, not just site identification