Q11. The presence of uniform standardized weights and measures across widespread geographic regions of the Indus Valley Civilisation most strongly suggests which of the following?
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.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
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Q12. Consider the following statements regarding the trade relations of the Indus Valley Civilisation:
I. Mesopotamian texts refer to the Indus region as Meluhha.
II. Harappan seals have been discovered at ancient sites in Oman and Bahrain.
III. Dilmun was a prominent intermediate trading station located in the Persian Gulf.
IV. Trade was exclusively conducted through land routes bypassing the sea entirely.
Which of the combination of statements given above is correct?
I. Mesopotamian texts refer to the Indus region as Meluhha.
II. Harappan seals have been discovered at ancient sites in Oman and Bahrain.
III. Dilmun was a prominent intermediate trading station located in the Persian Gulf.
IV. Trade was exclusively conducted through land routes bypassing the sea entirely.
Which of the combination of statements given above is correct?
Explanation
Harappan trade extended far beyond the Indian subcontinent, as evidenced by Mesopotamian records mentioning a land called Meluhha. Artifacts such as Harappan seals found in Oman and Bahrain indicate maritime connections. The island of Dilmun served as a vital intermediate trading post in the Persian Gulf, facilitating the exchange of goods between the Indus Valley and various Mesopotamian civilizations.
Q13. Which of the following is cited by scholars like M.R. Sahni and Robert Raikes as a primary physical cause for the decline of Mohenjo-daro?
Explanation
Scholars such as Robert Raikes and M.R. Sahni proposed that geological disturbances played a major role in the decline of the Indus Valley Civilisation. They argued that tectonic upliftment in the lower Indus valley caused the river to be impounded. This resulted in prolonged flooding that submerged Mohenjo-daro, eventually leading to the city’s slow abandonment by its many inhabitants.
Q14. The easternmost known site of the mature Indus Valley Civilisation, Alamgirpur, is located in the basin of which river?
Explanation
Alamgirpur, situated in the Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh, represents the easternmost boundary of the mature Harappan civilization. It is located in the basin of the Hindon River, which is a tributary of the Yamuna. The presence of this site demonstrates that the civilization’s influence extended significantly into the upper reaches of the Ganga-Yamuna Doab region during its peak.
Q15. Match the Harappan site in List I with its prominent discovery in List II and select the correct answer.
| Harappan Site | Prominent Discovery |
|---|---|
| A. Chanhudaro | i. Terracotta replica of a plough |
| B. Surkotada | ii. Evidence of bead-making industry |
| C. Banawali | iii. Largest Harappan settlement in India |
| D. Rakhigarhi | iv. Bones of a horse |
Explanation
Specific archaeological finds characterize different Harappan sites. Chanhudaro was a specialized center for bead-making. Surkotada yielded unique evidence of horse remains. Banawali is famous for a high-quality terracotta replica of a plough, providing direct evidence of agricultural tools. Rakhigarhi, located in Haryana, has recently been identified as the largest settlement of this entire civilization within the modern Indian borders.
Q16. Consider the following statements regarding Harappan urban planning:
I. Streets generally intersected at right angles.
II. Houses were primarily constructed using baked bricks in standardized ratios.
III. Doors and windows usually opened onto main streets rather than side lanes.
IV. The city was typically divided into a raised citadel and a lower town.
V. The drainage system featured manholes at regular intervals for cleaning.
Which of the combination of statements given above is incorrect?
I. Streets generally intersected at right angles.
II. Houses were primarily constructed using baked bricks in standardized ratios.
III. Doors and windows usually opened onto main streets rather than side lanes.
IV. The city was typically divided into a raised citadel and a lower town.
V. The drainage system featured manholes at regular intervals for cleaning.
Which of the combination of statements given above is incorrect?
Explanation
Harappan urban planning was characterized by a strict grid system and emphasis on privacy. While streets intersected at right angles and baked bricks were standard, the placement of entrances was unique. Doors and windows typically opened onto side lanes rather than the main streets. This design choice, along with sophisticated drainage systems, highlights the advanced architectural planning of these ancient cities.
Q17. Identify the structure that does not belong to the prominent architectural features found at Mohenjo-daro.
Explanation
Mohenjo-daro contains several monumental structures, including the Great Bath, a large pillared hall, and a collegiate building. These suggest a complex social and administrative hierarchy. However, the famous stone signboard, featuring ten large Harappan characters, was discovered at the site of Dholavira in Gujarat. This unique archaeological find is not associated with the major excavations conducted at Mohenjo-daro.
Q18. The Indus script was predominantly written in a style where the first line is from right to left and the second line is from left to right. What is this writing style called?
Explanation
The Harappan script remains undeciphered, but its writing direction has been analyzed through the crowding of symbols on seals. It was typically written in a style called boustrophedon, where the first line flows from right to left and the subsequent line from left to right. This bidirectional method of writing is a distinct feature of several ancient world scripts.
Q19. 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 Harappans worshipped nature in various forms, including trees and animals.
Reason (R): Seals depicting a deity seated in a yogic posture surrounded by animals have been widely interpreted as an early form of Lord Shiva (Pashupati).
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). Select the correct option from the choices given below:
Assertion (A): The Harappans worshipped nature in various forms, including trees and animals.
Reason (R): Seals depicting a deity seated in a yogic posture surrounded by animals have been widely interpreted as an early form of Lord Shiva (Pashupati).
Explanation
The Harappans practiced various forms of nature worship, including the veneration of trees and animals. Seals depicting a seated deity surrounded by animals, often identified as Pashupati, provide evidence of early religious concepts. While both statements are factually correct, the existence of the Pashupati seal serves as a specific instance of deity worship rather than a general explanation.
Q20. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched regarding the site of Lothal?
Explanation
Lothal, situated in Gujarat near the Gulf of Khambhat, was a vital port city of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Its most significant archaeological feature is an artificial brick dockyard, which was connected to the river Bhogavo. This structure facilitated maritime trade with other regions. Unlike other sites, Lothal also provided evidence of double burials in several grave pits.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (d) A centralized administration and strict commercial regulations |
| 12 | (b) I, II and III |
| 13 | (c) Tectonic upliftment leading to the impounding of the Indus river and prolonged flooding |
| 14 | (d) Hindon |
| 15 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 16 | (b) III only |
| 17 | (b) The Stone Signboard |
| 18 | (a) Boustrophedon |
| 19 | (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A. |
| 20 | (d) Discovery - Artificial brick dockyard |
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.