Q71. The unique geographical location of Dholavira between two seasonal streams, Mansar and Manhar, necessitated the development of which critical infrastructure?
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 71–80 of 80 questions
Q72. Which of the following statements about Harappan weights and measures is incorrect?
Explanation
The Harappan weight system was remarkably standardized but followed two different numerical patterns. The lower denominations of weights followed a binary system, while the higher denominations followed a decimal system. These weights were typically made of chert and were cubical in shape. The claim that lower denominations followed a strictly decimal system is therefore inaccurate according to archaeological evidence and research.
Q73. The name Kalibangan literally translates to which of the following?
Explanation
The name Kalibangan is derived from local dialects, where ‘kali’ means black and ‘bangan’ means bangles. The site received this name because archaeologists found a large number of fragments of black terracotta bangles during their initial surface surveys and excavations. This site, located in Rajasthan, remains one of the most important centers for understanding various Harappan cultural phases.
Q74. Which architectural feature most starkly differentiates the Indus Valley Civilisation from contemporary civilizations like Egypt and Mesopotamia?
Explanation
While Egypt and Mesopotamia are famous for their monumental temples and royal tombs, the Indus Valley Civilisation is unique for its focus on civic amenities. The widespread use of standardized burnt bricks for ordinary housing and the presence of a sophisticated, covered underground drainage system are unmatched in other contemporary civilizations. This suggests a societal emphasis on hygiene and public welfare.
Q75. Recent DNA analysis of skeletal remains from the Rakhigarhi cemetery has suggested which of the following conclusions?
Explanation
Recent genetic studies of skeletal remains from the Rakhigarhi cemetery have provided groundbreaking insights into the ancestry of the Harappan people. The results show that the Harappans had a unique genetic profile that contributed significantly to the ancestry of modern South Asians. This suggests a long-term genetic continuity in the region rather than a complete replacement of the population by invaders.
Q76. Identify the correctly matched pair regarding Harappan crafts and their prominent centers:
Explanation
Certain Harappan settlements specialized in specific crafts based on their proximity to raw materials. Nageshwar and Balakot, both located near the coast, were prominent centers for the manufacture of shell objects like bangles and ladles. While other sites like Chanhudaro were famous for beads, the identification of Nageshwar and Balakot as specialized shell-working sites is a well-established archaeological fact.
Q77. Consider the following statements regarding the decline of the Indus Valley Civilisation and select the correct option:
Statement I: The sudden decline of Mohenjo-daro is conclusively proven by large-scale massacres found in the latest occupational levels.
Statement II: Modern scholars largely reject the Aryan Invasion Theory as the sole cause of the civilization’s collapse.
Statement I: The sudden decline of Mohenjo-daro is conclusively proven by large-scale massacres found in the latest occupational levels.
Statement II: Modern scholars largely reject the Aryan Invasion Theory as the sole cause of the civilization’s collapse.
Explanation
The idea that Mohenjo-daro was destroyed by a massacre has been largely discredited, as the skeletal remains found were not all from the same time period and showed no signs of battle. Most modern scholars also reject the Aryan Invasion Theory as the sole explanation for the collapse. Instead, they favor a combination of environmental and socio-economic factors.
Q78. Which of the following is NOT true regarding the seals found in the Indus Valley Civilisation?
Explanation
Harappan seals were versatile objects used primarily for trade and administration. While they bear religious iconography, there is no evidence that they were used exclusively by a priestly class for worship. Instead, they were used by merchants to mark their goods and by officials for administrative purposes. Their widespread distribution across different types of buildings suggests a broad functional role.
Q79. The Harappan site of Shortughai, primarily known as a trading post for lapis lazuli, was located in present-day:
Explanation
Shortughai is a unique Harappan site located in the Badakhshan province of northeastern Afghanistan. It was established as a distant trading colony, primarily to control the supply of lapis lazuli, a highly prized blue stone found in the nearby mountains. The presence of Harappan pottery and architecture so far north illustrates the far-reaching economic interests and organized nature of civilization.
Q80. The presence of a dockyard and a warehouse at Lothal, combined with the discovery of Persian Gulf seals in the city, strongly indicates that Lothal was:
Explanation
The combination of a specialized dockyard, large storage warehouses, and foreign artifacts like Persian Gulf seals conclusively identifies Lothal as a major maritime trade hub. It served as a vital link between the Indus Valley and other ancient civilizations across the Arabian Sea. This role as an international port was central to Lothal’s economy and its overall historical significance.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 71 | (d) A complex system of dams and large stone water reservoirs. |
| 72 | (a) Lower denominations followed a strictly decimal measurement system |
| 73 | (c) Black Bangles |
| 74 | (a) Widespread use of burnt bricks and underground drainage |
| 75 | (d) There is genetic continuity between Harappans and modern Asians |
| 76 | (b) Shell object making - Nageshwar and Balakot |
| 77 | (b) Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is correct. |
| 78 | (d) They were used exclusively by the priests as objects of worship. |
| 79 | (a) Afghanistan |
| 80 | (b) A major hub for maritime overseas trade with the Middle East |
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.