The Indus Valley Civilization is generally regarded as Non-Aryan mainly because of which of the following distinctive features?

Introduction / Context:
This question relates to how historians distinguish the Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilization from the later Vedic (Aryan) culture. While there are several differences, certain features are particularly important in showing that the Indus people belonged to a different cultural and linguistic tradition from the early Aryans. One such feature is the use of an undeciphered pictographic script, which does not match the language of the Vedic hymns composed in Sanskrit.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks why the Indus Valley Civilization is considered Non-Aryan.
• Options mention its urban nature, pictographic script, agricultural economy and geographical extent.
• We assume the standard scholarly distinction between Harappan and early Vedic cultures.
• The aim is to identify the most direct cultural-linguistic reason for calling it Non-Aryan.

Concept / Approach:
Early Vedic Aryan society, as reflected in the Rigveda, was semi-nomadic and pastoral with evolving agricultural practices, and it used Vedic Sanskrit transmitted orally. The Indus Valley Civilization, on the other hand, had an undeciphered pictographic script inscribed on seals and other objects. This script has not been linked convincingly to Vedic Sanskrit, and its very nature (short inscriptions, pictorial signs) is quite different from the purely oral Vedic tradition. While urban character, agriculture and geographical spread are also features of Harappan culture, they do not by themselves prove that it was Non-Aryan, because Aryans too later developed cities and agriculture. The unique pictographic script is a clear marker of a separate cultural-linguistic identity.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question wants the main reason for calling the Indus Civilization 'Non-Aryan'.Step 2: Consider each option and ask whether it clearly separates Harappan culture from early Vedic Aryans.Step 3: Urban character is important, but Aryans later also built towns; agriculture is common to many societies; geographical extent up to the Narmada Valley is not uniquely Non-Aryan.Step 4: The use of a pictographic script that does not match Vedic Sanskrit is a strong indicator of a different linguistic and cultural group.Step 5: Therefore, choose 'It used a pictographic script not related to the early Vedic tradition' as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard history texts emphasise that the Indus script remains undeciphered and that it has not been linked to the Vedic Sanskrit used by the Aryans. They frequently argue that this difference, along with other cultural traits, supports the view that the Harappans were a distinct, possibly pre-Aryan civilisation. Exam questions that ask why the civilisation is called Non-Aryan often highlight the pictographic script as the key reason, confirming our answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
It was primarily an urban civilisation: While early Aryans were not urban, the later Aryans did build cities; urbanisation alone does not prove Non-Aryan identity.It had an agricultural economy: Aryan society also took to agriculture; this is not a decisive difference.It extended up to the Narmada Valley: This is a geographical fact, not a direct cultural or linguistic argument about being Non-Aryan.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may be tempted to choose the option mentioning urban character because they have learned that the Harappans were city builders while early Aryans were pastoral. However, the question specifically asks why the civilisation is considered Non-Aryan, which requires a more direct marker of cultural difference. Confusing general socio-economic traits with linguistic-cultural identity is a common mistake. Keep in mind that the unique pictographic script is a strong reason for viewing the Indus Valley Civilization as distinct from the Aryan Vedic culture.

Final Answer:
The Indus Valley Civilization is regarded as Non-Aryan mainly because it used a pictographic script that is not related to the early Vedic (Aryan) tradition.