RAS question
Evidence of horse bones in the Indus Valley Civilization context has been reported from:
Correct answer: (D) Surkotada.
Evidence of horse bones in the Indus Valley Civilization context has been reported from Surkotada in Gujarat.
Explanation
Surkotada is the relevant Harappan site because horse remains from Surkotada are linked to the ASI excavation record. The equid remains from Surkotada were studied as true horse, Equus caballus, with identification based on features such as cheek teeth, incisors and phalanges. At Surkotada, bones of Equus caballus occur from Period IA to IC. Horse evidence has been claimed elsewhere in the Harappan world, but Surkotada remains the classical site associated with this evidence in the Indus Valley Civilization context.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Harappa is not the classical site for this association; non-Surkotada horse evidence is treated as debated where stratigraphic position is unclear.
- (B) Mohenjo-daro does not carry the secure exam association for horse-bone evidence; that association belongs to Surkotada.
- (C) Dholavira is a major Harappan site, but Surkotada is the reported horse-bone context in the Indus Valley Civilization association.
Concept
Archaeological evidence from Harappan sites depends on tying faunal remains to specific excavated contexts. RAS examinations often use site-evidence pairs because they separate memorised Indus-site lists from source-based chronology and material-culture facts.