Q1. Which of the following sites represents the northernmost extent of the Indus Valley Civilisation?
Ancient Indian History: RAS Prelims MCQs
615 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on ancient Indian history are on this page, in 8 chapters. They begin with the Indus Valley Civilisation and the Vedic Age, move through Buddhism, Jainism, the Mauryas and Guptas, and then cover the Chalukyas, Pallavas and Cholas, ancient art and science, and the Indian knowledge and value system. Every question has an answer and an explanation, in the formats the exam uses.
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Q2. Match the archaeologists in List I with their associated Harappan sites in List II and select the correct answer.
| Archaeologist | Associated Harappan Site |
|---|---|
| A. Daya Ram Sahni | i. Mohenjo-daro |
| B. R. D. Banerji | ii. Lothal |
| C. Amalananda Ghosh | iii. Harappa |
| D. S. R. Rao | iv. Kalibangan |
Explanation
Archaeological research in the Indus Valley was led by pioneers like Daya Ram Sahni, who excavated Harappa in 1921. R. D. Banerji discovered Mohenjo-daro in 1922. Amalananda Ghosh identified the site of Kalibangan in Rajasthan, while S. R. Rao discovered Lothal in Gujarat. These excavations systematically revealed the advanced urban characteristics and cultural uniformity of this civilization.
Q3. Which of the following statements accurately describes the drainage system of the Indus Valley Civilisation?
Explanation
The Harappan urban planning was characterized by an exceptionally advanced and systematic drainage network. Almost every household featured its own courtyard and a dedicated bathroom. These private facilities were connected to a larger network of street drains. These drains were typically covered with bricks or stone slabs to maintain hygiene and were regularly cleaned by municipal workers.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Kalibangan site of the Indus Valley Civilisation:
I. It is located on the banks of the Ghaggar river in Rajasthan.
II. Evidence of a ploughed field was discovered outside the fort wall.
III. A dockyard similar to the one at Lothal was excavated here.
Which of the combination of statements given above is correct?
I. It is located on the banks of the Ghaggar river in Rajasthan.
II. Evidence of a ploughed field was discovered outside the fort wall.
III. A dockyard similar to the one at Lothal was excavated here.
Which of the combination of statements given above is correct?
Explanation
Kalibangan, situated in Rajasthan on the banks of the Ghaggar River, provides critical evidence of early agricultural techniques. Excavations revealed a ploughed field surface with intersecting furrows, suggesting the cultivation of multiple crops simultaneously. Unlike Lothal, which featured a famous maritime dockyard, Kalibangan lacks such a structure, focusing more on agricultural and domestic ritual activities throughout its history.
Q5. The famous bronze statue of the Dancing Girl was discovered at which of the following Harappan sites?
Explanation
The iconic bronze statue known as the Dancing Girl is a masterpiece of the lost-wax casting technique. Discovered in Mohenjo-daro, it depicts a young woman adorned with bangles and a necklace, showcasing advanced metallurgical skills. This artifact provides significant insights into the artistic sensibilities, social life, and sophisticated aesthetic values of the people during the mature Harappan phase.
Q6. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). Select the correct option from the choices given below:
Assertion (A): The Indus Valley Civilisation is generally considered a Bronze Age culture.
Reason (R): The Harappan people widely used iron tools for agriculture and warfare.
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). Select the correct option from the choices given below:
Assertion (A): The Indus Valley Civilisation is generally considered a Bronze Age culture.
Reason (R): The Harappan people widely used iron tools for agriculture and warfare.
Explanation
The Indus Valley Civilisation is classified as a Bronze Age culture because its inhabitants effectively used copper and bronze for tools and ornaments. However, there is no archaeological evidence suggesting the use of iron during this period. Iron technology only emerged in the Indian subcontinent much later, during the subsequent Vedic period and the Iron Age megalithic cultures.
Q7. Which of the following structures was NOT found at the archaeological site of Harappa?
Explanation
While Harappa and Mohenjo-daro share many urban features, certain structures are unique to specific sites. The Great Bath, a large rectangular tank used for ritual purification, was exclusively found at Mohenjo-daro. Harappa is noted for its own distinct features, including rows of circular brick platforms used for grain pounding and a large granary complex consisting of twelve units.
Q8. Match the material in List I with its primary source region in List II and select the correct answer.
| Artefact/Material | Primary Source Region |
|---|---|
| A. Lapis Lazuli | i. Khetri region of Rajasthan |
| B. Copper | ii. Shortughai in Afghanistan |
| C. Steatite | iii. Kolar in Karnataka |
| D. Gold | iv. South Rajasthan and North Gujarat |
Explanation
The Harappans established extensive trade networks to procure raw materials for crafts. Lapis Lazuli was imported from Shortughai in Afghanistan. Copper was primarily sourced from the Khetri mines in Rajasthan. Steatite, used for making seals, came from southern Rajasthan and northern Gujarat, while gold was obtained from the Kolar region in southern India to produce exquisite ornaments.
Q9. Arrange the following Harappan sites in the chronological order of their first extensive excavation, from earliest to latest:
I. Dholavira
II. Harappa
III. Lothal
IV. Mohenjo-daro
Select the correct order from the options given below:
I. Dholavira
II. Harappa
III. Lothal
IV. Mohenjo-daro
Select the correct order from the options given below:
Explanation
The systematic excavation of Indus Valley sites began with Harappa in 1921, followed by Mohenjo-daro in 1922. Lothal, located in Gujarat, was excavated much later in the 1950s by S.R. Rao. Dholavira, famous for its water management, was discovered by J.P. Joshi and extensively excavated in the 1990s by R.S. Bisht, making it a more recent discovery in archaeology.
Q10. Consider the following statements regarding Dholavira and select the correct option:
Statement I: It was divided into three principal divisions, unlike most Harappan cities which had two.
Statement II: It has yielded a large inscription comprising ten large-sized signs of the Harappan script.
Statement I: It was divided into three principal divisions, unlike most Harappan cities which had two.
Statement II: It has yielded a large inscription comprising ten large-sized signs of the Harappan script.
Explanation
Dholavira, located in Gujarat, exhibits unique urban planning features. Unlike the standard two-fold division of most Harappan cities, it was partitioned into three distinct sections: the citadel, middle town, and lower town. Additionally, it yielded a remarkable find of ten large-sized signs of the Harappan script, often referred to as a billboard, found near one of its gateways.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) Manda |
| 2 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii |
| 3 | (c) Every house had its own courtyard and bathroom connected to the street drains. |
| 4 | (d) I and II only |
| 5 | (c) Mohenjo-daro |
| 6 | (c) A is true but R is false. |
| 7 | (d) Great Bath |
| 8 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 9 | (c) II, IV, III, I |
| 10 | (c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. |
Key facts from Ancient Indian History
- The RPSC syllabus lists the Indus and Vedic ages, the religious ideas of the 6th century BC, the Maurya, Kushan, Satavahana, Gupta, Chalukya, Pallava and Chola dynasties, ancient art and science, and the Indian knowledge system.
- Questions on sites and rulers usually ask for one distinguishing fact: the northernmost Harappan site, the first Gupta Maharajadhiraja, the builder of the Shore Temple.
- Statement and match-the-list formats are common, so learn each ruler or site with its period, region and monument.
- Art and science questions link a monument or text to its dynasty, for example Amaravati with the Satavahanas and the Khandakhadyaka with Brahmagupta.
- The Indian knowledge and value system chapter covers varna, ashrama, purushartha, samskaras and the six schools of philosophy.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Ancient Indian History?
This page has 615 practice MCQs on Ancient Indian History. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the ancient Indian history set cover?
Eight chapters: the Indus Valley Civilisation, the Vedic Age, the religious movements of the 6th century BC, the Maurya and post-Maurya dynasties, the Gupta Empire, South Indian dynasties, art, architecture and science, and the Indian knowledge and value system.
Is ancient history part of the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. RPSC lists Indian History under General Knowledge and General Science, and the ancient and medieval part names the Indus and Vedic ages, religious ideas of the 6th century BC, the major dynasties and ancient art and science.
How should I revise ancient history for RAS Prelims?
Work chapter by chapter. Attempt each question first, read the explanation, and write the key fact in a table of rulers, sites, texts and monuments. Revisit the weak chapters after a few days, since the facts are easy to confuse.