The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The pottery of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) is primarily wheel-made, with very few hand-made examples. It is characterized by its distinct shapes, styles, and the widespread use of red and black ware.
- Statement 1 is Correct: Plain pottery is significantly more common than painted ware in the Indus Valley context. Plain pottery is typically of red clay, with or without a fine red or grey slip. Painted pottery, known as Red and Black ware (black designs painted on a red background), constitutes a smaller portion of the findings.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Polychrome pottery (pottery decorated with three or more colors) is rare in the Indus Valley Civilization. When found, it mainly comprises small vases decorated with geometric patterns in red, black, green, and occasionally white and yellow. It does not typically comprise large storage jars.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Perforated pottery is a distinct type of IVC ceramic. These vessels usually have a large hole at the bottom and small holes all over the wall. Archaeological consensus suggests they were likely used for straining beverages (such as liquor) or straining curd.
Key Takeaway: The vast majority of Harappan pottery is plain wheel-made ware; polychrome pottery is exceptionally rare and small in size, while perforated jars served specific functional purposes like straining.