Indus Valley Civilization — 20 MCQ Practice
MCQs based on ancient civilization sites such as Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Lothal, Dholavira, and Kalibangan - covering all important facts about town planning, trade, and excavations.
Which was the first site of the Indus Valley Civilization to be discovered and excavated?
Harappa was the first site of the civilization to be discovered and excavated in 1921, which is why the civilization is also called the Harappan Civilization.
In which year was Harappa excavated, and who was the archaeologist behind it?
Harappa was discovered and excavated in 1921 by Rai Bahadur Dayaram Sahni under the guidance of Sir John Marshall, the Director-General of the ASI.
Which Indus Valley site is famously known for the discovery of the 'Great Bath'?
The 'Great Bath', a large public bathing pool lined with bricks and sealed with natural tar, was discovered during the excavation of Mohenjo-daro.
Which Harappan site is widely known as the 'Mound of the Dead'?
The name 'Mohenjo-daro' literally translates to 'Mound of the Dead Men' in the local Sindhi language.
Which Indus Valley site served as an artificial dockyard and major maritime trading port?
Lothal, located in Saragwala, Gujarat, featured a massive, well-engineered tidal dockyard connected to the Sabarmati River for maritime trade.
At which Harappan site was the famous bronze statue of the 'Dancing Girl' discovered?
The iconic bronze statue of the 'Dancing Girl', cast using the lost-wax technique, was discovered in Mohenjo-daro.
Which Harappan site is unique for having a water-management system consisting of massive stone reservoirs?
Dholavira, located in Kutch, Gujarat, is famous for its advanced water-harvesting system featuring deep stone-cut reservoirs and dams.
At which of the following Harappan sites were wooden plows and evidence of plowed fields discovered?
Kalibangan in Rajasthan showed archaeological evidence of a plowed field and terracotta toy plows, signifying early agricultural practices.
Which is the largest archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization in India?
Rakhigarhi, located in the Hisar district of Haryana, is officially the largest site of the Indus Valley Civilization in India and overall.
Which Harappan site is the only one without a fortified citadel?
Chanhudaro, located in present-day Sindh, Pakistan, is the only major Harappan city that lacks a fortified upper citadel structure.
The people of the Indus Valley Civilization were the first in the world to produce:
The Harappans were pioneers in agriculture and are credited with being the first in the world to grow and spin cotton (known to Greeks as 'Sindon').
Which metal was completely unknown to the people of the Indus Valley Civilization?
The Indus Valley Civilization was a Bronze Age civilization. Iron was completely unknown to them and was discovered in India much later during the Vedic Age.
The seal of 'Pashupati' discovered at Mohenjo-daro depicts a figure seated in a yogic posture, surrounded by animals. Which animal is NOT depicted on the seal?
The Pashupati Seal depicts a deity surrounded by an elephant, a tiger, a rhinoceros, a buffalo, and two deer. The lion is not depicted on this seal.
What was the primary writing system of the Harappan people?
The Harappans used a logosyllabic/pictographic script consisting of hundreds of symbols, which remains undeciphered to this day.
At which Harappan site were the remains of horse bones discovered, raising debates about the presence of horses?
Surkotada, located in the Kutch district of Gujarat, is the only Harappan site where actual skeletal remains of horse bones have been found.
Which material was most commonly used by the Harappans to manufacture their famous square seals?
Most Harappan seals were made of Steatite, a soft soapstone, which was carved with inscriptions and animal figures before being baked to harden.
Which Harappan site is situated on the banks of the dry bed of the Ghaggar-Hakra River?
Kalibangan is situated on the left bank of the now-dry Ghaggar-Hakra River bed in Hanumangarh district, Rajasthan.
What was the most prominent feature of Harappan town planning?
The most impressive feature of Harappan cities was their highly organized grid layout, wide streets intersecting at right angles, and sophisticated covered brick drains.
The Harappans had extensive maritime trade relations with which contemporary ancient civilization?
Cuneiform inscriptions from Mesopotamia refer to extensive trade relations with a land called 'Meluhha', which is identified as the Indus Valley.
Which of the following Harappan sites is located in the state of Haryana and is known for high-quality barley finds?
Banawali, located in Fatehabad district, Haryana, has yielded high-quality barley seeds and a clay model of a plow.