Indus Valley Civilization MCQs
Here are 80 multiple-choice questions about the Indus Valley Civilization with answers, focusing on frequently asked questions in exams:
The Indus Valley Civilization is also known as the:
(a) Harappan Civilization
(b) Mohenjo-daro Civilization
(c) Mesopotamian Civilization
(d) Egyptian Civilization
Answer: (a) Harappan Civilization
The Indus Valley Civilization flourished along the banks of which river?
(a) Ganges
(b) Yamuna
(c) Indus
(d) Saraswati
Answer: (c) Indus
The most widely accepted period of the Indus Valley Civilization is:
(a) 3500 – 2500 BCE
(b) 2500 – 1750 BCE
(c) 1500 – 1000 BCE
(d) 500 – 300 BCE
Answer: (b) 2500 – 1750 BCE
Which of the following is the largest site of the Indus Valley Civilization in India?
(a) Harappa
(b) Mohenjo-daro
(c) Lothal
(d) Rakhigarhi
Answer: (d) Rakhigarhi
The Great Bath is an important structure found at which Indus Valley Civilization site?
(a) Harappa
(b) Mohenjo-daro
(c) Kalibangan
(d) Dholavira
Answer: (b) Mohenjo-daro
Which of the following Indus Valley Civilization sites was a port city?
(a) Harappa
(b) Mohenjo-daro
(c) Lothal
(d) Kalibangan
Answer: (c) Lothal
The script of the Indus Valley Civilization is:
(a) Brahmi
(b) Kharosthi
(c) Undeciphered
(d) Devanagari
Answer: (c) Undeciphered
Which metal was unknown to the people of the Indus Valley Civilization?
(a) Copper
(b) Bronze
(c) Iron
(d) Gold
Answer: (c) Iron
The dancing girl bronze figurine was found at:
(a) Harappa
(b) Mohenjo-daro
(c) Lothal
(d) Kalibangan
Answer: (b) Mohenjo-daro
The ploughed field has been discovered at:
(a) Harappa
(b) Mohenjo-daro
(c) Lothal
(d) Kalibangan
Answer: (d) Kalibangan
Which animal was most frequently depicted on the seals of the Indus Valley Civilization?
(a) Cow
(b) Horse
(c) Unicorn
(d) Elephant
Answer: (c) Unicorn
The Indus Valley Civilization belonged to the:
(a) Paleolithic Age
(b) Neolithic Age
(c) Chalcolithic Age
(d) Iron Age
Answer: (c) Chalcolithic Age
The system of weights and measures followed by the Indus Valley people was:
(a) Decimal
(b) Binary
(c) Octal
(d) Duodecimal
Answer: (a) Decimal
Which of the following sites is located in present-day Pakistan?
(a) Lothal
(b) Kalibangan
(c) Harappa
(d) Rakhigarhi
Answer: (c) Harappa
The drainage system of the Indus Valley Civilization was:
(a) Poorly planned
(b) Well-planned
(c) Circular
(d) Irregular
Answer: (b) Well-planned
Evidence of rice cultivation has been found at:
(a) Harappa
(b) Mohenjo-daro
(c) Lothal
(d) Kalibangan
Answer: (c) Lothal
The people of the Indus Valley Civilization worshipped:
(a) Indra
(b) Varuna
(c) Pashupati
(d) Agni
Answer: (c) Pashupati
Which of the following sites shows evidence of a stadium?
(a) Harappa
(b) Mohenjo-daro
(c) Dholavira
(d) Lothal
Answer: (c) Dholavira
The material used for making Harappan seals was mostly:
(a) Clay
(b) Terracotta
(c) Steatite
(d) Bronze
Answer: (c) Steatite
The decline of the Indus Valley Civilization is attributed to:
(a) Aryan invasion
(b) Climate change
(c) River drying up
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above
Which Indus Valley site is known for its fire altars?
(a) Harappa
(b) Mohenjo-daro
(c) Lothal and Kalibangan
(d) Dholavira
Answer: (c) Lothal and Kalibangan
The concept of town planning in the Indus Valley Civilization reveals their:
(a) Artistic skills
(b) Scientific temper
(c) Sense of democracy
(d) Knowledge of architecture and urban planning
Answer: (d) Knowledge of architecture and urban planning
Which crop was primarily grown by the Harappan people?
(a) Rice
(b) Wheat and Barley
(c) Sugarcane
(d) Jute
Answer: (b) Wheat and Barley
The Harappan Civilization extended from:
(a) Punjab to Gujarat
(b) Sindh to Rajasthan
(c) Jammu and Kashmir to Maharashtra
(d) Baluchistan to Uttar Pradesh
Answer: (c) Jammu and Kashmir to Maharashtra
The first Harappan site to be discovered was:
(a) Mohenjo-daro
(b) Harappa
(c) Lothal
(d) Kalibangan
Answer: (b) Harappa
Who discovered the Harappan Civilization?
(a) Sir John Marshall
(b) Daya Ram Sahni
(c) R.D. Banerji
(d) Mortimer Wheeler
Answer: (b) Daya Ram Sahni
Mohenjo-daro was discovered by:
(a) Sir John Marshall
(b) Daya Ram Sahni
(c) R.D. Banerji
(d) Mortimer Wheeler
Answer: (c) R.D. Banerji
The term ‘Meluhha’ in Mesopotamian records likely refers to:
(a) Egypt
(b) Indus Valley Civilization
(c) Mesopotamia itself
(d) Anatolia
Answer: (b) Indus Valley Civilization
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic feature of Harappan cities?
(a) Grid pattern of streets
(b) Well-planned drainage system
(c) Fortified citadels
(d) Lack of public buildings
Answer: (d) Lack of public buildings
The use of standardized bricks in Harappan cities indicates:
(a) Poor craftsmanship
(b) Centralized authority
(c) Lack of planning
(d) Religious uniformity
Answer: (b) Centralized authority
Terracotta toys of the Indus Valley Civilization suggest:
(a) Absence of recreation
(b) Presence of a rich merchant class
(c) Popularity of games and childhood entertainment
(d) Religious rituals
Answer: (c) Popularity of games and childhood entertainment
Which of the following Indus Valley sites is located in Haryana?
(a) Lothal
(b) Kalibangan
(c) Rakhigarhi
(d) Surkotada
Answer: (c) Rakhigarhi
The site of Surkotada is known for:
(a) Dockyard
(b) Evidence of horse bones
(c) Great Bath
(d) Fire altars
Answer: (b) Evidence of horse bones
The Indus Valley Civilization had trade relations with:
(a) China
(b) Mesopotamia
(c) Egypt
(d) Rome
Answer: (b) Mesopotamia
Which of the following rivers is associated with the site of Lothal?
(a) Indus
(b) Ravi
(c) Bhogavo
(d) Ghaggar-Hakra
Answer: (c) Bhogavo
The Harappan seals were primarily used for:
(a) Religious purposes
(b) Commercial purposes
(c) Decorative purposes
(d) Writing purposes
Answer: (b) Commercial purposes
The ‘Priest King’ statue was found at:
(a) Harappa
(b) Mohenjo-daro
(c) Lothal
(d) Dholavira
Answer: (b) Mohenjo-daro
Which Indus Valley site is known for its unique water harvesting system?
(a) Harappa
(b) Mohenjo-daro
(c) Lothal
(d) Dholavira
Answer: (d) Dholavira
The use of bronze tools and weapons indicates that the Harappan people were skilled in:
(a) Pottery
(b) Metallurgy
(c) Weaving
(d) Carpentry
Answer: (b) Metallurgy
The absence of large-scale monumental structures like pyramids suggests that the Harappan civilization was:
(a) Less advanced
(b) More egalitarian
(c) Focused on trade and functionality
(d) Prone to invasions
Answer: (c) Focused on trade and functionality
Which of the following animals is NOT found on Harappan seals?
(a) Bull
(b) Elephant
(c) Horse
(d) Rhinoceros
Answer: (c) Horse
The material used for making beads in the Indus Valley Civilization included:
(a) Gold
(b) Silver
(c) Carnelian and Jasper
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above
The layout of Harappan cities often shows a division into:
(a) Three parts
(b) Two parts – citadel and lower town
(c) Four parts
(d) No distinct divisions
Answer: (b) Two parts – citadel and lower town
Which of the following is a later Harappan site?
(a) Harappa
(b) Mohenjo-daro
(c) Lothal
(d) Rangpur
Answer: (d) Rangpur
The discovery of a copper chariot at Daimabad suggests:
(a) Advanced warfare techniques
(b) Connections with later cultures
(c) Importance of wheeled transport
(d) Religious significance of chariots
Answer: (b) Connections with later cultures
The Indus Valley Civilization is considered a _ civilization.
(a) Rural
(b) Urban
(c) Tribal
(d) Nomadic
Answer: (b) Urban
The granaries found at Harappa and Mohenjo-daro indicate:
(a) A surplus of agricultural produce
(b) A system of taxation in kind
(c) Organized storage of food grains
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above
Which of the following sites is located in Afghanistan?
(a) Sutkagen-dor
(b) Chanhudaro
(c) Shortugai
(d) Kot Diji
Answer: (c) Shortugai
The Indus script is believed to be written from:
(a) Left to right
(b) Right to left
(c) Top to bottom
(d) Bottom to top
Answer: (b) Right to left (in some cases, boustrophedon)
The Harappan people used baked bricks because:
(a) They were readily available
(b) They were stronger and more durable
(c) They were cheaper than sun-dried bricks
(d) It was a religious requirement
Answer: (b) They were stronger and more durable
The site of Chanhudaro is known for:
(a) The Great Bath
(b) Dockyard
(c) Bead-making factory
(d) Evidence of fire altars
Answer: (c) Bead-making factory
The Indus Valley Civilization is contemporary to which ancient civilizations?
(a) Egyptian and Mesopotamian
(b) Greek and Roman
(c) Persian and Chinese
(d) Mayan and Incan
Answer: (a) Egyptian and Mesopotamian
The term ‘citadel’ in Harappan cities refers to:
(a) A large public hall
(b) A fortified elevated area
(c) A residential area for the common people
(d) A marketplace
Answer: (b) A fortified elevated area
Which of the following is NOT an Indus Valley Civilization site?
(a) Alamgirpur
(b) Rupar
(c) Patna
(d) Banawali
Answer: (c) Patna
The northernmost site of the Indus Valley Civilization is:
(a) Daimabad
(b) Sutkagen-dor
(c) Manda
(d) Alamgirpur
Answer: (c) Manda
The southernmost site of the Indus Valley Civilization is:
(a) Daimabad
(b) Sutkagen-dor
(c) Manda
(d) Alamgirpur
Answer: (a) Daimabad
The easternmost site of the Indus Valley Civilization is:
(a) Daimabad
(b) Sutkagen-dor
(c) Manda
(d) Alamgirpur
Answer: (d) Alamgirpur
The westernmost site of the Indus Valley Civilization is:
(a) Daimabad
(b) Sutkagen-dor
(c) Manda
(d) Alamgirpur
Answer: (b) Sutkagen-dor
The Ghaggar-Hakra river is associated with which Indus Valley site?
(a) Lothal
(b) Kalibangan
(c) Dholavira
(d) Surkotada
Answer: (b) Kalibangan
The discovery of a weighing scale suggests the Harappan people had knowledge of:
(a) Astronomy
(b) Mathematics and measurement
(c) Metallurgy
(d) Art and craft
Answer: (b) Mathematics and measurement
Which of the following is a characteristic feature of the pottery of the Indus Valley Civilization?
(a) Plain grey ware
(b) Painted red and black ware
(c) Highly glazed ware
(d) Perforated ware
Answer: (b) Painted red and black ware
The Indus Valley Civilization did not develop:
(a) Urban centers
(b) A standardized script
(c) Large stone temples
(d) Trade networks
Answer: (c) Large stone temples
The reasons for the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization are still:
(a) Completely known
(b) Largely unknown and debated
(c) Attributed solely to Aryan invasion
(d) Attributed solely to natural disasters
Answer: (b) Largely unknown and debated
The presence of seals in Mesopotamian sites indicates:
(a) Cultural dominance of Mesopotamia
(b) Trade relations between the two civilizations
(c) Migration of Harappan people to Mesopotamia
(d) Religious influence of the Indus Valley Civilization
Answer: (b) Trade relations between the two civilizations
The Harappan Civilization is known for its emphasis on:
(a) Military strength
(b) Hygiene and sanitation
(c) Religious rituals
(d) Monumental architecture
Answer: (b) Hygiene and sanitation
Which of the following grains was NOT cultivated by the Harappan people?
(a) Wheat
(b) Barley
(c) Rice
(d) Maize
Answer: (d) Maize
The bullock cart found in the Indus Valley Civilization suggests:
(a) Use of animals for warfare
(b) Importance of agriculture and transportation
(c) Religious significance of bulls
(d) Lack of advanced technology
Answer: (b) Importance of agriculture and transportation
Okay, here are the remaining multiple-choice questions about the Indus Valley Civilization with answers:
The Indus Valley Civilization is considered a prehistoric civilization because:
(a) It existed before the invention of metals
(b) Its script has not yet been deciphered
(c) It was primarily a rural society
(d) There is no archaeological evidence of its existence
Answer: (b) Its script has not yet been deciphered
Which of the following sites yielded evidence of a two-part burial (primary and secondary)?
(a) Harappa
(b) Mohenjo-daro
(c) Lothal
(d) Surkotada
Answer: (d) Surkotada
The discovery of cotton at the Indus Valley sites indicates:
(a) Trade with Egypt
(b) Knowledge of textile production
(c) Religious significance of cotton
(d) A warm climate
Answer: (b) Knowledge of textile production
The absence of elaborate palaces and temples in Harappan cities suggests:
(a) A lack of religious beliefs
(b) A more egalitarian social structure
(c) A focus on trade rather than administration
(d) A technologically backward society
Answer: (b) A more egalitarian social structure
Which of the following is a characteristic feature of the Harappan seals?
(a) Long inscriptions
(b) Depiction of religious figures only
(c) Short inscriptions with animal motifs
(d) Made of gold
Answer: (c) Short inscriptions with animal motifs
The site of Banawali is known for its:
(a) Well-planned grid pattern
(b) Evidence of barley cultivation
(c) Terracotta replica of a plough
(d) Dockyard
Answer: (c) Terracotta replica of a plough
The Indus Valley Civilization is also known for its advanced:
(a) Military organization
(b) Art and sculpture
(c) Hydraulic engineering
(d) Religious practices
Answer: (c) Hydraulic engineering
Which of the following metals was used to make tools and ornaments by the Harappan people?
(a) Iron
(b) Silver
(c) Lead
(d) Tin
Answer: (b) Silver (along with copper and bronze)
The Harappan Civilization had a sophisticated understanding of:
(a) Astrology
(b) Medicine
(c) Town planning and architecture
(d) Philosophy
Answer: (c) Town planning and architecture
The Indus Valley Civilization declined gradually over a period of time due to various factors, but one major contributing factor is believed to be:
(a) A sudden volcanic eruption
(b) A large-scale earthquake
(c) Changes in river courses
(d) A major fire
Answer: (c) Changes in river courses
The people of the Indus Valley Civilization were primarily:
(a) Pastoralists
(b) Agriculturalists and traders
(c) Warriors
(d) Hunter-gatherers
Answer: (b) Agriculturalists and traders
The legacy of the Indus Valley Civilization can be seen in:
(a) The construction of large stone temples in India
(b) The development of the Brahmi script
(c) Some aspects of later Indian culture and traditions
(d) The widespread use of iron tools in ancient India
Answer: (c) Some aspects of later Indian culture and traditions