Q. 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
Ans: (a) Harappan culture
Explanation: The earliest evidence of silver in India is found in the (a) Harappan culture. The Harappan civilization, also known as the Indus Valley civilization, existed from approximately 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE in the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent. Archaeological excavations at Harappan sites have revealed the presence of silver artifacts, including jewelry, ornaments, and utensils, indicating the use of silver during that time. These findings provide evidence of the early utilization of silver in ancient Indian civilization, predating other sources such as the Chalcolithic cultures (b), Vedic texts (c), or the introduction of silver punch-marked coins (d) in later periods.
