Final answer:
The correct answer is option c) A ceremonial carriage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'palanquin' refers to option c, a ceremonial carriage. A palanquin is a mode of transport used in various cultures worldwide and is designed to carry a person. It generally consists of a large box or a seat for a single occupant, carried by a varying number of people (bearers), using long poles positioned at the front and back. Palanquins were often used in marriages, processions, and other ceremonial events in parts of Asia, including the Indian subcontinent, indicating the high social status of the passenger.
In the context of Indus Valley cities, option c, a citadel, may have served as the monumental ceremonial center. Citadels were fortified areas found in many ancient cities, which served both as centers of administration and as a last line of defense. In many Indus Valley cities, like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, raised citadels have been identified, suggesting they might have been used for ceremonies and governance.
Regarding the Mughal influence on local customs, the correct answer would be option d, a ceremony for Hindu brides who married Mughal rulers. This reflects the adoptions and adaptations of customs between different cultures, as the Mughal rulers often engaged in political marriages with local Hindu princesses, incorporating different cultural practices into their courtly life.