Q31. Who was the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) when the formal announcement of the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilisation was made in 1924?
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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Q32. Which of the following sites represents the westernmost boundary of the Indus Valley Civilisation?
Explanation
Sutkagen Dor, located in the Makran coast of Balochistan near the border with Iran, marks the westernmost boundary of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Situated on the Dasht River, it likely served as a vital maritime trading post connecting the Harappan world with the Persian Gulf and Mesopotamia. Its strategic location underscores the vast geographic reach of the civilization’s trade networks.
Q33. Consider the following statements regarding the religious practices of the Indus Valley people:
I. They worshipped trees, especially the pipal tree.
II. They built large monolithic temples dedicated to the Mother Goddess.
III. Amulets have been found in large numbers, indicating belief in magic or evil spirits.
IV. The dead were generally buried in the north-south orientation.
V. The worship of animal deities like the humped bull was prevalent.
Which of the combination of statements given above is correct?
I. They worshipped trees, especially the pipal tree.
II. They built large monolithic temples dedicated to the Mother Goddess.
III. Amulets have been found in large numbers, indicating belief in magic or evil spirits.
IV. The dead were generally buried in the north-south orientation.
V. The worship of animal deities like the humped bull was prevalent.
Which of the combination of statements given above is correct?
Explanation
Harappan religion was characterized by the worship of natural elements, including the pipal tree and animals like the bull. The discovery of numerous amulets suggests a belief in magical protections. Funerary practices involved burying the dead in a north-south orientation. However, unlike Mesopotamians, Harappans did not build large monumental temples; their rituals appear more decentralized or performed at small altars.
Q34. Match the Harappan feature in List I with its key attribute in List II and select the correct answer.
| Harappan Feature | Key Attribute |
|---|---|
| A. Script | i. Steatite |
| B. Standard Weights | ii. Chert |
| C. Seals | iii. Carnelian |
| D. Beads | iv. Pictographic |
Explanation
Different materials and styles define Harappan artifacts. The script is primarily pictographic, consisting of various symbols. Standard weights were meticulously crafted from chert. Most seals were made from steatite, a soft stone that was easy to carve. Beads, a popular form of jewelry, were often made from semi-precious stones like carnelian, showcasing the advanced craftsmanship of Harappan lapidaries.
Q35. Consider the following statements regarding the site of Harappa and select the correct option:
Statement I: The granary at Harappa consists of two rows of six granaries built on a raised brick platform.
Statement II: Harappa was located on the banks of the river Indus in the Sindh province.
Statement I: The granary at Harappa consists of two rows of six granaries built on a raised brick platform.
Statement II: Harappa was located on the banks of the river Indus in the Sindh province.
Explanation
The granary at Harappa is a significant structure consisting of twelve units arranged in two rows on a raised platform. However, the geographic description in the second statement is inaccurate. Harappa was actually located on the banks of the Ravi River in the Montgomery district of West Punjab, Pakistan, rather than on the main Indus River in the Sindh province.
Q36. Among the following features, which one is unique to Dholavira and absent in most other mature Harappan settlements?
Explanation
Dholavira is distinguished by its extensive use of stone in construction, which contrasts with the brick-heavy architecture of other major cities. It also possesses a highly sophisticated water management system involving large, stone-cut reservoirs and dams. These features were essential for survival in the arid environment of the Rann of Kutch and represent a unique peak in Harappan engineering.
Q37. Consider the following proposed causes for the decline of the Indus Valley Civilisation:
I. Ecological degradation and climate change
II. Aryan Invasion Theory
III. Shifting of river courses and hydrological changes
Which of the following represents the logically accepted chronological sequence of theory popularity from oldest to most modern?
I. Ecological degradation and climate change
II. Aryan Invasion Theory
III. Shifting of river courses and hydrological changes
Which of the following represents the logically accepted chronological sequence of theory popularity from oldest to most modern?
Explanation
The understanding of the Harappan decline has evolved over time. Initially, the Aryan Invasion Theory was popularized by Mortimer Wheeler. Later, scholars focused on hydrological changes, such as the shifting of river courses. More recently, environmental and ecological factors, including climate change and the weakening of the monsoon, have become the most logically accepted and widely discussed contemporary explanations.
Q38. Which of the following statements correctly describes the agricultural practices of the Harappans?
Explanation
The Harappans were pioneers in agriculture and were likely the first people in the world to cultivate cotton. This is evidenced by textile impressions found on pottery and other artifacts. While they grew various grains like wheat and barley, there is no evidence of iron tools or sugarcane cultivation. Their farming was supported by both seasonal rainfall and irrigation.
Q39. Consider the following statements regarding Harappan seals:
I. The majority of the seals were made of steatite.
II. They were primarily used as a medium of currency for everyday transactions.
III. The most frequently depicted animal on the seals is the unicorn bull.
Which of the combination of statements given above is correct?
I. The majority of the seals were made of steatite.
II. They were primarily used as a medium of currency for everyday transactions.
III. The most frequently depicted animal on the seals is the unicorn bull.
Which of the combination of statements given above is correct?
Explanation
Harappan seals are primarily made of steatite and were used for commercial purposes, such as sealing goods. They were not used as daily currency. The most common animal depicted on these seals is the mythical unicorn bull, although other animals like elephants and tigers also appear. These seals provide vital information about the iconography and script of the Indus people.
Q40. The strategic location of Lothal near the Gulf of Khambhat resulted in which of the following primary outcomes for the settlement?
Explanation
Lothal’s proximity to the Gulf of Khambhat and major rivers made it an ideal location for a port. This led to its emergence as a significant center for maritime trade and the manufacture of luxury items. The city was particularly famous for its bead-making industry, using materials like carnelian and lapis lazuli to produce goods that were widely exported.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (a) John Marshall |
| 32 | (b) Sutkagen Dor |
| 33 | (b) I, III, IV and V |
| 34 | (a) A-iv, B-ii, C-i, D-iii |
| 35 | (a) Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect. |
| 36 | (d) Use of stone architecture and sophisticated water reservoir systems |
| 37 | (b) II, III, I |
| 38 | (b) They were the earliest people to produce cotton in the world. |
| 39 | (d) I and III only |
| 40 | (a) Emergence as a seaport and center for bead- making and export |
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.