Question

The earliest evidence of silver in India is found in the ____________.
a. Harappan culture
b. Chalcolithic cultures of Western India
c. Vedic texts
d. Silver punch-marked coins

Answer 1

Hint: The period was a cultural and political settlement which flourished between c.7000-600BCE. Its modern name comes from the name of a river. This culture is even compared to famous cultures like that of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Complete answer: (i) Earliest evidence of silver is found in the Harappan culture.
(ii) Metallurgy was one of the most important and complex techniques invented by mankind. Variety of metals such as copper, gold and silver were used by Harappan craftsmen.
(iii) The commonly occurring metal objects of this civilisation include silverware, ornaments, beads made from gold and silver, animal and human figurines.
(iv) There is evidence of gold and silver ores being used for fashioning jewellery including a tiara found at Harappa.
Copper and silver wires have been found during excavations from a proto-historic site, including Harappan sites. Bangles made from bending silver thin rods have been found, rings were also popular during the mature Harappan period.
Thus, the correct option is (a).

Note: Precious metal objects from Harappan sites have been found in Hoards, stored in ceramic, copper and silver vessels. The metallurgy of silver was fairly evolved as it shows in the exquisite jewellery found in excavations. A special mention could be of a silver jar with a pointed base and a knobbed lid found in Mohenjodaro.