Correct Option
The correct option is 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
The reconstruction of Harappan religious practices relies heavily on material evidence such as seals, terracotta figurines, and stone objects, as the script remains undeciphered. Archaeologists often draw parallels between these artifacts and later religious traditions to interpret their significance.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. Terracotta figurines of women are not absent; in fact, they have been found in large numbers at various Harappan sites. These figurines, often heavily jewelled and wearing elaborate head-dresses, are widely believed to represent the Mother Goddess.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The Rigveda mentions a deity named Rudra. In later Puranic traditions, the name Rudra became synonymous with Shiva. This fact is significant in Harappan studies because archaeologists compare the "Proto-Shiva" or "Pashupati" seal with the Rigvedic description of Rudra to understand the continuity or discontinuity of religious practices.
- Statement 3 is Correct. Various conical stone objects have been discovered at Harappan sites. Archaeologists classify these objects as lingas, suggesting the practice of phallic worship, which is a feature associated with Shiva in later Hinduism.
Key Takeaway
Harappan religion is reconstructed through artifacts like the Mother Goddess figurines, the Proto-Shiva seal, and conical stones (lingas), though the connection between the Harappan "Pashupati" and the Rigvedic "Rudra" remains a subject of historical analysis.