Which of the following statements is/are true about the Iron Age?
1 The establishment of large cities took place on the basis of sizeable surplus.
2 The ceramic associated with this age was Painted Grey Ware.
3 The Indus Valley Civilization flourished during the Iron Age
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. Only 1 and 2.
During the Iron Age in India, large cities began to emerge based on agricultural surplus, which supported population growth, trade, and urban development. This surplus allowed the formation of complex societies and kingdoms, especially in the Ganga valley. Additionally, the Painted Grey Ware (PGW) pottery is a key archaeological feature of this period, associated with the Later Vedic culture. However, the Indus Valley Civilization did not belong to the Iron Age; it was a Bronze Age civilization that declined around 1900 BCE, much before the Iron Age began. Hence, only statements 1 and 2 are correct.