Discuss the functions that may have been performed by rulers in Harappan society.
The question of rulers in Harappan society remains debated among archaeologists, with no definitive answers about their functions.
Some archaeologists believe Harappan society had no rulers, and everybody enjoyed equal status. This view is supported by Harappan cemeteries showing little social differentiation. Others suggest there was no single ruler but several, with Mohenjodaro having a separate ruler, Harappa another, and so forth.
However, others argue there was a single state. This is supported by the similarity in artefacts, evidence for planned settlements, the standardised ratio of brick size, and the establishment of settlements near sources of raw material. These factors suggest some form of centralised authority.
Archaeological records provide no immediate answers regarding a centre of power. A large building at Mohenjodaro was labelled as a palace but no spectacular finds were associated with it. A stone statue was labelled as the "priest-king" because archaeologists were familiar with Mesopotamian history, but ritual practices are not well understood, nor is it known whether those who performed them held political power.
It is likely that the Harappans practiced some sort of democratic system, with structures created for utilitarian purposes.
Explanation
This answer addresses the 8-mark question by presenting multiple perspectives from the textbook: (1) the view of no rulers with equal status, (2) the view of multiple rulers for different cities, and (3) the view of a single state. It uses evidence from the context - planned settlements, standardised bricks, similar artefacts, and raw material sourcing - to suggest possible functions of governance. The answer also discusses the limitations of archaeological evidence, including the absence of spectacular finds in the supposed 'palace' and the speculative nature of the 'priest-king' statue. The conclusion mentions the possibility of a democratic system, staying within the bounds of the provided context.