Q51. Which of the following sequences correctly represents the chronological stages 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.
Showing 51–60 of 80 questions
Q52. Which of the following statements concerning Dholavira is incorrect?
Explanation
Dholavira, located on Kadir Island in Gujarat, is renowned for its unique three-tier urban division and sophisticated water management. Contrary to the suggestion that it lacked defenses, the site actually features massive and impressive fortification walls made of stone and mud-brick. These walls surrounded different sections of the city, providing security and reflecting the organized nature of Harappan planning.
Q53. Consider the following statements regarding the economic life of the Harappans:
I. The manufacturing of beads was a highly specialized craft, particularly at Chanhudaro.
II. Spindle whorls found at various sites indicate that spinning of cotton and wool was common.
III. The economy was heavily dependent on the extensive use of minted silver coins.
Which of the combination of statements given above is correct?
I. The manufacturing of beads was a highly specialized craft, particularly at Chanhudaro.
II. Spindle whorls found at various sites indicate that spinning of cotton and wool was common.
III. The economy was heavily dependent on the extensive use of minted silver coins.
Which of the combination of statements given above is correct?
Explanation
The Harappan economy was based on advanced craft specialization and domestic production. Chanhudaro was a major center for bead-making, while the presence of spindle whorls across sites indicates that spinning and weaving were common. However, the economy was not based on metallic currency. Instead, it relied on a barter system and the use of standardized weights for trade transactions.
Q54. Rakhigarhi, recognized as the largest Harappan site in India, is situated in which of the following states?
Explanation
Rakhigarhi is an archaeological site located in the Hisar district of Haryana. Recent research and excavations have shown that it is one of the largest and most significant settlements of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Its size and the diversity of artifacts found there indicate that it served as a major regional capital, comparable in importance to Harappa and Mohenjo-daro.
Q55. Consider the following statements and select the correct option:
Statement I: The Harappans built large monumental temples for public worship similar to those in Mesopotamia.
Statement II: Evidence of fire altars has been found at Kalibangan and Lothal, suggesting domestic or localized ritual practices.
Statement I: The Harappans built large monumental temples for public worship similar to those in Mesopotamia.
Statement II: Evidence of fire altars has been found at Kalibangan and Lothal, suggesting domestic or localized ritual practices.
Explanation
Unlike contemporary civilizations in Mesopotamia or Egypt, there is no archaeological evidence of large, monumental public temples in Harappan cities. Their religious practices seem more domestic or focused on natural elements. The discovery of fire altars at sites like Kalibangan and Lothal suggests that ritual activities were likely performed in smaller, localized settings or within individual Harappan households.
Q56. Consider the following statements regarding the construction materials used in the Indus Valley Civilisation:
I. Baked bricks were uniformly used in the major cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro.
II. Sun-dried bricks were often used for fillings in city walls.
III. Stone was extensively used for domestic housing in cities located in the alluvial plains of Sindh.
IV. Gypsum mortar was used to waterproof critical structures like the Great Bath.
Which of the combination of statements given above is correct?
I. Baked bricks were uniformly used in the major cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro.
II. Sun-dried bricks were often used for fillings in city walls.
III. Stone was extensively used for domestic housing in cities located in the alluvial plains of Sindh.
IV. Gypsum mortar was used to waterproof critical structures like the Great Bath.
Which of the combination of statements given above is correct?
Explanation
Harappan architecture primarily utilized baked bricks in major cities, while sun-dried bricks were used for less critical structures. In Sindh, stone was rarely used for domestic housing due to its scarcity. However, stone was prominent in regions like Gujarat. Techniques like using gypsum mortar for waterproofing the Great Bath demonstrate the Harappans’ advanced understanding of engineering and materials.
Q57. Which of the following is NOT a recognized characteristic of the Indus script?
Explanation
The Harappan script is not alphabetical; it does not consist of a small set of letters representing sounds. Instead, it is pictographic and logo-syllabic, featuring hundreds of distinct signs. These symbols were inscribed on seals, pottery, and copper tablets. Despite numerous attempts by scholars worldwide, the script has not been conclusively deciphered, leaving many aspects of life mystery.
Q58. Which of the following pairs of Harappan site and its corresponding river is correctly matched?
Explanation
Many Harappan sites were strategically located along river banks. Kalibangan is situated on the left bank of the now-dry Ghaggar River in Rajasthan. Other major sites were located differently: Harappa was on the Ravi River, Mohenjo-daro was on the Indus River, and Lothal was located near the Bhogavo River, a tributary of the Sabarmati, in Gujarat.
Q59. The highly polished stone pillar bases and segments, reflecting advanced stone-working technology, are uniquely characteristic of which Harappan site?
Explanation
Dholavira is unique among Harappan sites for its extensive use of stone and advanced masonry. Archaeologists discovered highly polished stone pillar bases and segments there, which indicate a level of stone-working technology not typically seen in the brick-dominated cities of the Indus plains. These architectural elements were likely part of monumental buildings or gateways in the city’s impressive citadel section.
Q60. Consider the following statements regarding Harappan imports:
I. Gold was procured from South India (Karnataka).
II. Copper was heavily sourced from the Khetri mines of Rajasthan.
III. Lapis Lazuli was primarily imported from the Badakhshan region in Afghanistan.
IV. Jade was brought in from Central Asia.
V. Steatite was sourced from South Rajasthan and North Gujarat.
Which of the combination of statements given above is correct?
I. Gold was procured from South India (Karnataka).
II. Copper was heavily sourced from the Khetri mines of Rajasthan.
III. Lapis Lazuli was primarily imported from the Badakhshan region in Afghanistan.
IV. Jade was brought in from Central Asia.
V. Steatite was sourced from South Rajasthan and North Gujarat.
Which of the combination of statements given above is correct?
Explanation
The Harappans maintained a complex network for sourcing raw materials. Gold came from South India, while copper was sourced from Rajasthan and Oman. Lapis Lazuli was imported from Afghanistan. Jade was obtained from Central Asia, and steatite was sourced from Rajasthan and Gujarat. This extensive trade network ensured a steady supply of materials for their sophisticated craft industries and economy.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 51 | (a) Early Harappan, Mature Harappan, Late Harappan |
| 52 | (d) It lacked any form of defensive fortification walls around its perimeter. |
| 53 | (c) I and II only |
| 54 | (b) Haryana |
| 55 | (b) Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is correct. |
| 56 | (a) I, II and IV |
| 57 | (c) It exhibits an alphabetical structure with 26 distinct letters |
| 58 | (a) Kalibangan - Ghaggar |
| 59 | (d) Dholavira |
| 60 | (b) I, II, III, IV and V |
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.