Q1. Which of the following sites represents the northernmost extent of the Indus Valley Civilisation?
Indus Valley Civilisation: RAS Prelims MCQs
80 RAS Prelims MCQs on the Indus Valley Civilisation test sites, extent, town planning, crafts, trade and the script. The extreme sites of the civilisation, the features that make Dholavira and Lothal unusual and the way Harappans planned their towns come up repeatedly, and each explanation links the fact to its site.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
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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 Indus Valley Civilisation
- Manda on the Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost site; Sutkagen Dor is the westernmost; Alamgirpur on the Hindon is the easternmost; Daimabad is the southernmost.
- The bronze Dancing Girl was found at Mohenjo-daro, and the discovery of the civilisation was announced in 1924 by John Marshall, then Director-General of the ASI.
- Dholavira is unusual for its stone architecture and its elaborate water reservoirs.
- Lothal, near the Gulf of Khambhat, was a seaport and a centre of bead-making and export.
- Harappan towns were laid out on a grid, with streets crossing at right angles to form blocks.
- Harappans obtained copper from the Khetri region of Rajasthan and from Oman.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Indus Valley Civilisation?
This page has 80 practice MCQs on Indus Valley Civilisation (Ancient Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which is the northernmost site of the Indus Valley Civilisation?
Manda, on the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir. The other extreme sites are Sutkagen Dor in the west, Alamgirpur on the Hindon in the east and Daimabad in the south. These four are frequently asked together.
What is special about Dholavira?
Dholavira is notable for its use of stone in building and its sophisticated water storage reservoirs. Most Harappan towns used baked brick, so the stone architecture and the water system make Dholavira distinctive among mature Harappan sites.
Why was Lothal important?
Lothal lay near the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat. This position made it a seaport and a centre for making and exporting beads, which is why it is linked with Harappan overseas trade.