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Ancient History MCQs – 2 (Indus Valley Civilization)

Indus Valley Civilization MCQs with answers and explanations for preparation of UPSC, BPSC, UPPSC and other State PSC Examinations

1. First discovered site of the Indus Valley Civilization was ?

A. Harappa
B. Mohenjo Daro
C. Surkotada
D. Lothal

Correct answer – A ( Harappa ).

  • Harappa was the first discovered site of Indus Valley Civilization.
  • The civilization was also called the ‘Harappan Civilization’ after the name of its first discovered site.

2. Which of the following techniques was used for making a bronze statue of a dancing girl found from Harappa Civilisation ?

A. Stone carving technique
B. Wood carving technique
C. Carbon dating technique
D. Lost wax technique

Correct answer – D ( Lost wax technique ).

  • In Harappan Civilization, Bronze statues were made by the “Lost wax technique”.
  • This technique was used for making a bronze statue of a dancing girl found from Mohenjo Daro.

3. Which one of the following Indus Valley Sites is presently in India ?

A. Harappa
B. Sutkagendor
C. Mohenjo-Daro
D. Lothal

Correct answer – D ( Lothal )

  • Lothal is in Gujrat, India. This was a famous port-town of the Indus Valley civilization. An ancient dockyard has been found here.
  • Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Sutkagendor are presently in Pakistan.

4. Steatite figure of the bearded man interpreted as a priest or priest king has been found from which of the following places ?
A. Harappa
B. Sutkagendor
C. Mohenjodaro
D. Lothal

Correct answer – C ( Mohenjo-Daro ).

  • A Steatite figure of the bearded man interpreted as a priest or priest king has been found from Mohenjo-Daro.
  • Other important findings at Mohenjo-Daro:
    • Great bath
    • Granary
    • Bronze dancing girl
    • Seal of Pasupathi Mahadeva

5. Who among the following was involved in the excavations of Mohenjo Daro ?
A. R.D. Banerjee
B. Raman Singh
C. James Prinsep
D. None of these

Correct answer – A ( R.D. Banerjee )

  • R.D. Banerjee was involved in the excavations of Mohenjo-daro.
  • He was an officer of the Archaeological Survey of India.
  • He discovered Mohenjo-daro in 1922.

6. Which among the following animals was not represented on the seals of Harappan culture ?
A. Cow
B. Elephant
C. Bull
D. None of the above

Correct answer – A ( Cow )

  • The carvings on the seals show the degree of proficiency attained by the sculptors in Harappan culture.
  • The images of elephant, Rhino, Tiger, Deer etc. were depicted on the seals of Harappan culture however Cow, Horse were not depicted anywhere.

7. The Great bath was found from ?
A. Harappa
B. Roper
C. Mohenjodaro
D. Lothal

Correct answer – C ( Mohenjo-Daro ).

  • One of the important findings of Mohenjo-Daro was its Great Bath.
  • The Great Bath was a large rectangular tank in a courtyard surrounded by a corridor on all four sides.
  • There were two flights of steps on the north and south leading into the tank.
  • Mortars of gypsum were used to make the tank watertight.
  • There were rooms on three sides.
  • Scholars believe that it was used for some kind of ritual bathing.
  • It was found from Mohenjo-Daro( Presently in the Sindh region of Pakistan ).

8. Consider the following statements regarding Harappa Civilization :

1. Harappa was an urban civilization.
2. Harappans built houses with mud bricks.
3. Harappans cities had well developed drainage systems.

Which of the above statement (s) is/are correct ?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. All of the above
D. None of the above

Correct answer – B ( 1 and 3 only )

  • Harappan Civilization was the first urban civilization of India.
  • Harappans cities had well developed town planning and drainage systems.
  • Harappans built houses with burnt bricks.  Baked bricks of standardized ratio(length and breadth were four times and twice the height respectively) were used in construction.

9. Consider the following statements regarding Indus Valley sites :

  1. A row of six granaries have been found from Harappa.
  2. Chanhudaro is a City without Citadel.
  3. Fire-Altars have been found from Kalibangan .

Which of the above statement (s) is/are correct ?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. All of the above
D. None of the above

Correct answer – C ( All of the Above ).

  • A row of six granaries have been found from Harappa. Other findings at Harappa :
    • Granaries
    • Bullock carts
  • Chanhudaro is a City without Citadel. It is in Sindh province of Pakistan.
  • Fire-Altars have been found from Kalibangan. Kalibangan means Black Bangles. It is in present day Rajasthan.

10. Largest Indus Valley site in India is ?

A. Lothal
B. Rangpur
C. Rakhigarhi
D. None of the above

Correct answer – C ( Rakhigarhi ).

  • Largest Indus Valley site in India is Rakhigarhi.
  • It is located in the Hisar District of Haryana.

11. Traces of canals have been found at which among the following Harappan sites ?

(a) Lothal

(b) Kalibangan

(c) Banawali

(d) Shortughai

Correct Answer – (d) Shortughai

  • Traces of canals have been found at Shortughai located in Afghanistan.
  • Important findings at other sites:
  • Mohenjodaro
    • Great bath
    • Granary
    • Bronze dancing girl
    • Seal of Pasupathi Mahadeva
    • Steatite statue of beard man
  • Harappa
    • Granaries
    • Bullock carts
  • Chanhudaro
    • Bead makers shop
  • Kalibangan
    • Fire altar
    • Camel bones
    • Wooden plough
  • Lothal
    • First manmade port
    • Dockyard
    • Rice husk
    • Fire altars
  • Surkotada
    • Bones of horses
  • Dholavira
    • Water harnessing system
    • Large Water reservoirs
  • Banawali
    • Beads
    • Barley

12. Consider the following statements regarding the features of the Harappan settlements.

(i) The Harappan settlements were often divided into two parts, Citadela and Lower town

(ii) They had no large buildings

(iii) Harappan settlements had a well-planned network of roads.

(iv) Drainage system was the key feature of the Harappan settlements.

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

(a) I and II

(b) III and IV

(c) I, III and IV

(d) I, II and IV

Correct Answer – (c) I, III and IV

  • The Harappan Civilization was an urban settlement with a good sense of town planning.
  • The Harappan settlements were often divided into two parts, Citadel and Lower town.
  • Harappan settlements had a well-planned network of roads. Roads and streets were laid out along in a grid pattern, intersecting each other at right angles.
  • Harappan cities had a carefully planned drainage system.

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