Beginnings of Indian Civilisation – MCQs
MCQs – Beginnings of Indian Civilisation
Grouped into clear sections, suitable for NCERT & CBSE Class 6 level.
Section A — Early Human Settlements (15 MCQs)
Q1. Before farming began, most early humans survived by:
A. Growing crops in fields.
B. Hunting animals and gathering plants.
C. Running factories.
D. Writing books.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Growing crops is farming, which came later.
- B: Correct — Early humans were hunter-gatherers who relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering wild plants.
- C: Incorrect — Factories are a feature of modern industrial societies.
- D: Incorrect — Writing developed much later in settled societies.
Q2. The discovery of fire helped early humans to:
A. Build skyscrapers.
B. Cook food and keep warm.
C. Sail across oceans.
D. Invent electricity.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Skyscrapers are an advanced architectural development.
- B: Correct — Fire provided warmth, protection, and a way to cook food.
- C: Incorrect — Sailing developed later and fire did not directly enable sailing.
- D: Incorrect — Electricity was discovered millennia later.
Q3. Which of the following was one of the first crops cultivated by early farmers in the Indian subcontinent?
A. Maize.
B. Rice (in limited areas), wheat and barley.
C. Potato.
D. Tea.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Maize (corn) originated in the Americas.
- B: Correct — Wheat and barley were among the earliest crops; rice appears later in some Harappan sites.
- C: Incorrect — Potato is native to the Americas and introduced much later.
- D: Incorrect — Tea cultivation is a much later development.
Q4. Permanent settlements began mainly because:
A. People wanted more games to play.
B. Farming and animal domestication provided stable food supply.
C. There were too many caves.
D. People disliked moving.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Leisure was not the primary reason for settling.
- B: Correct — Farming and domesticating animals allowed people to settle and store food.
- C: Incorrect — Caves were shelter but not the decisive factor.
- D: Incorrect — Settling was driven by economic necessity, not mere dislike of movement.
Q5. Domesticated animals provided which of the following benefits?
A. Only meat.
B. Milk, meat, labor (ploughing), and wool.
C. None — they were only pets.
D. Computers.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Animals gave many products beyond meat.
- B: Correct — Domestic animals provided milk, meat, labor for farming, wool, hides and transport.
- C: Incorrect — Animals were economic assets, not merely pets.
- D: Incorrect — Anachronistic and incorrect.
Q6. Which tool material was commonly used by early humans in the Stone Age?
A. Plastic.
B. Stone.
C. Iron.
D. Silicon chips.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Plastic is modern.
- B: Correct — Stone tools define the Stone Age (Paleolithic, Mesolithic).
- C: Incorrect — Iron came much later (Iron Age).
- D: Incorrect — Silicon chips are modern electronics.
Q7. Surplus food in early farming communities led to:
A. Shorter days.
B. Trade, specialization, and growth of towns.
C. Less need for anywhere to live.
D. Running out of tools immediately.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Surplus food does not affect day length.
- B: Correct — Surplus allowed people to specialize in crafts and trade, enabling towns.
- C: Incorrect — Settlements increased, not decreased.
- D: Incorrect — Surplus food did not cause immediate tool shortages.
Q8. Early people first stored surplus grains in:
A. Steel tanks.
B. Clay pots, storage pits and granaries.
C. Plastic sacks.
D. Safe deposit boxes.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Steel technology was not available then.
- B: Correct — Clay pots, pits and granaries were used to store grains.
- C: Incorrect — Plastic is modern.
- D: Incorrect — Bank safes are unrelated.
Q9. Which of the following best describes the transition from hunter-gatherers to settled farmers?
A. Instant overnight.
B. A gradual process over many generations.
C. Happening only in one city.
D. Caused by an alien invasion.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Social changes take time.
- B: Correct — Transition to agriculture was gradual and took many generations.
- C: Incorrect — It occurred across regions, not a single city.
- D: Incorrect — No evidence supports this.
Q10. Which environment was most favourable for the growth of early settlements?
A. Dense frozen deserts.
B. River valleys with fertile soil.
C. Mountaintops with no water.
D. Deep ocean.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Extreme cold and lack of resources make deserts unfavorable.
- B: Correct — River valleys provided water and fertile soil ideal for farming.
- C: Incorrect — Mountaintops lack arable land and water sources.
- D: Incorrect — Oceans are not suitable for settlements without modern technology.
Q11. The plough helped farming because it:
A. Painted houses.
B. Turned soil, making sowing easier and increasing yields.
C. Was used to cook food.
D. Made rivers flow.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Ploughs aren’t used for painting.
- B: Correct — Ploughs turn and aerate the soil to prepare for sowing.
- C: Incorrect — Not related to cooking.
- D: Incorrect — Ploughs don’t affect rivers.
Q12. Which of the following is a sign of a settled agricultural community?
A. Tent-dwelling.
B. Permanent houses with storage facilities.
C. Constant migration.
D. No food storage.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Tents indicate nomadic life.
- B: Correct — Permanent housing and storage indicate settlement.
- C: Incorrect — Constant migration is nomadic, not settled.
- D: Incorrect — Settled communities store food.
Q13. Which of these animals was commonly domesticated in early South Asian settlements?
A. Kangaroo.
B. Cow (cattle) and goat.
C. Penguin.
D. Komodo dragon.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Kangaroos are native to Australia and not domesticated.
- B: Correct — Cattle and goats were commonly domesticated for milk, meat and labor.
- C: Incorrect — Penguins are wild birds of cold regions.
- D: Incorrect — Komodo dragons are wild reptiles and not domesticated.
Q14. The primary reason humans began to settle near rivers was:
A. For singing competitions.
B. For water supply, irrigation and fertile land.
C. To watch fish.
D. Lack of mountains.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Entertainment wasn’t the main driver.
- B: Correct — Rivers provided water, fertile silt, and transport routes.
- C: Incorrect — While fishing helped, broader benefits mattered more.
- D: Incorrect — River plains, not absence of mountains, drove settlement choices.
Q15. Which of the following statements is true about early settled villages?
A. They never had any specialized crafts.
B. They saw the emergence of specialized craft skills like pottery and weaving.
C. They only practiced hunting.
D. They instantly became large cities the next day.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Specialization did occur in settled communities.
- B: Correct — Surplus food allowed people to specialize as potters, weavers, and metal workers.
- C: Incorrect — Hunting continued but agriculture was primary.
- D: Incorrect — Urbanization was a gradual process.
Section B — Discovery & Geography of the Indus Valley Civilization (15 MCQs)
Q16. The Indus Valley Civilization is often called the Harappan Civilization because:
A. It was only present in Harappa.
B. Harappa was the first major site discovered by archaeologists.
C. Harappa means “civilization” in the local language.
D. It was built by a person named Harappa.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — The civilization covered many sites beyond Harappa.
- B: Correct — Harappa was the first major site excavated, hence the name.
- C: Incorrect — The name does not mean “civilization.”
- D: Incorrect — Harappa is a place name, not a person.
Q17. The Indus Valley Civilization flourished approximately during:
A. 500–200 BCE.
B. 2500–1500 BCE.
C. 1000–500 CE.
D. 10–1 BCE.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — These dates are much later.
- B: Correct — Harappan urban phase is typically dated c.2500–1500 BCE.
- C: Incorrect — This is well after the Harappan period.
- D: Incorrect — Also incorrect chronological range.
Q18. Which two major sites are best known from the Indus Valley Civilization?
A. Athens and Sparta.
B. Harappa and Mohenjo-daro.
C. Rome and Carthage.
D. Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Greek city-states, unrelated geographically and temporally.
- B: Correct — Harappa and Mohenjo-daro are the most famous Harappan cities.
- C: Incorrect — Roman and Carthaginian cities are unrelated.
- D: Incorrect — Mesoamerican sites, unrelated.
Q19. Lothal is especially famous for its:
A. Mountain temples.
B. Dockyard and evidence of maritime trade.
C. Stone pyramids.
D. Large bronze cannons.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Lothal is not known for mountain temples.
- B: Correct — Excavations revealed a dockyard indicating sea trade.
- C: Incorrect — No pyramids; this is Egyptian architecture.
- D: Incorrect — Cannons are modern and not part of Harappan archaeology.
Q20. Dholavira is best known for:
A. Its desert climate only.
B. Sophisticated water conservation systems and large reservoirs.
C. Being a modern city.
D. Having the largest mountain in the world.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — While in a dry region, Dholavira is notable for water management.
- B: Correct — Dholavira shows advanced water reservoirs and management.
- C: Incorrect — It is an archaeological site, not a modern city.
- D: Incorrect — Not geographically accurate.
Q21. The total area occupied by Harappan sites is considered:
A. Smaller than Mesopotamia.
B. About 1.5 million square kilometers — very large for its time.
C. Only a few square kilometers.
D. The same as a small village.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Harappan cultural zone was larger than many contemporary civilizations.
- B: Correct — The Harappan cultural area was vast, covering large parts of South Asia.
- C: Incorrect — Far larger than a few square kilometers.
- D: Incorrect — Not comparable to a small village.
Q22. Which river(s) formed the main geographical backbone of the early Harappan civilization?
A. Amazon.
B. Indus (and the now largely dried Saraswati/ Ghaggar-Hakra in parts).
C. Mississippi.
D. Danube.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Amazon is in South America.
- B: Correct — The Indus was central; many Harappan sites are along the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra (Saraswati) basin.
- C: Incorrect — Mississippi is in North America.
- D: Incorrect — Danube is European.
Q23. Which of these modern-day countries contains major Harappan sites?
A. Australia.
B. Pakistan and India.
C. Brazil.
D. Japan.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Australia has no Harappan sites.
- B: Correct — Major sites (Harappa, Mohenjo-daro) lie in Pakistan; many others are in India.
- C: Incorrect — Brazil is unrelated.
- D: Incorrect — Japan is unrelated geographically.
Q24. The discovery of Harappan civilization began in earnest in which decade?
A. 1820s.
B. 1920s.
C. 1980s.
D. 2020s.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Too early and not the correct period of excavations.
- B: Correct — Major excavations and recognition of the civilization began in the 1920s.
- C: Incorrect — Excavations were well underway long before the 1980s.
- D: Incorrect — Modern but not when discovery occurred.
Q25. The Harappan civilization extended southwards into which Indian state’s region (ancient time)?
A. Tamil Nadu only.
B. Gujarat region (including Lothal, Dholavira).
C. Siberia.
D. Antarctica.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Southernmost Harappan influence did not reach Tamil Nadu extensively.
- B: Correct — Gujarat has important Harappan sites like Lothal and Dholavira.
- C: Incorrect — Siberia is irrelevant.
- D: Incorrect — Antarctica is not inhabited historically.
Q26. Which of the following is true about the Harappan script?
A. It has been fully deciphered and is well understood.
B. It consists of several hundred symbols and is undeciphered.
C. It used the Latin alphabet.
D. It was only pictorial without any repeated signs.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — The script remains undeciphered.
- B: Correct — There are about 400 signs; scholars haven’t reached consensus on its reading.
- C: Incorrect — Latin alphabet is unrelated.
- D: Incorrect — The script shows repeated signs suggesting a structured script, not mere pictorial drawings.
Q27. Alamgirpur, a Harappan site, is located in which present-day Indian state?
A. Uttar Pradesh.
B. Kerala.
C. Assam.
D. Goa.
Correct answer: A
Explanations:
- A: Correct — Alamgirpur is in Uttar Pradesh and is one of the easternmost Harappan sites.
- B: Incorrect — Kerala is in the deep south, not home to Alamgirpur.
- C: Incorrect — Assam is in the northeast, not where Alamgirpur is found.
- D: Incorrect — Goa is unrelated.
Q28. Why is the Ghaggar-Hakra river often associated with Harappan archaeology?
A. It is the same as the Nile.
B. Many Harappan sites are found along its dry riverbed; it may be the ancient Saraswati.
C. It flows through Europe.
D. It was a modern highway in Harappan times.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Not the Nile.
- B: Correct — The Ghaggar-Hakra (often identified with ancient Saraswati) had many Harappan settlements along its course.
- C: Incorrect — It is not in Europe.
- D: Incorrect — The phrasing is wrong; it wasn’t a highway but a river system aiding settlement.
Q29. Which Harappan site produced evidence of bead-making industries?
A. Timbuktu.
B. Lothal and other sites.
C. Machu Picchu.
D. Pompeii.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Timbuktu is unrelated.
- B: Correct — Bead-making workshops were found at Lothal and many Harappan towns.
- C: Incorrect — Machu Picchu is in the Andes, unrelated.
- D: Incorrect — Pompeii is Roman-era.
Q30. Which feature suggests Harappan settlements had wide regional contacts?
A. Only local pottery styles.
B. Harappan seals found in Mesopotamia and Mesopotamian records mentioning trade with Meluhha.
C. Exclusive isolation with no external contacts.
D. Language shared with Australia.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Local pottery alone doesn’t show wide contacts.
- B: Correct — Harappan seals and trade goods at Mesopotamia and references to “Meluhha” indicate long-distance trade.
- C: Incorrect — Archaeological evidence contradicts isolation.
- D: Incorrect — No linguistic link with Australia is known.
Section C — Town Planning & Architecture (15 MCQs)
Q31. Harappan cities were planned on a:
A. Circular pattern only.
B. Grid system with streets meeting at right angles.
C. Random scattered layout.
D. Star-shaped plan.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Circular patterns are not the main Harappan pattern.
- B: Correct — Cities had rectilinear grids with streets at right angles.
- C: Incorrect — Layouts were organized, not random.
- D: Incorrect — Star-shaped is not a Harappan feature.
Q32. The citadel in a Harappan city was:
A. A marketplace for fruits only.
B. A raised, fortified area with important public buildings.
C. A place of burial only.
D. Always located outside the city.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — The citadel had public and administrative functions beyond simple markets.
- B: Correct — The citadel was a raised area containing baths, granaries and public structures.
- C: Incorrect — Though burials occurred nearby sometimes, burial was not the citadel’s sole purpose.
- D: Incorrect — Citadel is within the city, often raised centrally.
Q33. The Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro is believed to have been used for:
A. Storing grain.
B. Ritual bathing and community ceremonies.
C. Cooking huge meals for the entire city.
D. Military training.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — The Great Bath’s structure is not suited for grain storage.
- B: Correct — It likely had ritual or ceremonial significance.
- C: Incorrect — No evidence it was used for cooking.
- D: Incorrect — Not designed for military activities.
Q34. What was unique about Harappan bricks?
A. They were made of gold.
B. They were uniform in size and made of baked clay.
C. They were made of ice.
D. They were all different shapes without standardization.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Gold bricks don’t exist.
- B: Correct — Standardized baked bricks show organized construction practices.
- C: Incorrect — Ice bricks are impossible for permanent structures.
- D: Incorrect — Standardization was a key feature, so this is false.
Q35. Harappan drainage systems indicate that:
A. People had no idea about sanitation.
B. Cities had planned sewage and drainage, with drains connected to houses.
C. There was no water in the cities.
D. Only kings could use drains.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Evidence shows Harappans valued sanitation.
- B: Correct — Covered drains and house connections show advanced sanitation planning.
- C: Incorrect — Cities had wells and water sources.
- D: Incorrect — Drains served the community, not only elites.
Q36. Many Harappan houses had:
A. Private wells and bathrooms connected to drains.
B. Air conditioning.
C. Elevators.
D. Radio sets.
Correct answer: A
Explanations:
- A: Correct — Archaeologists found house-level water facilities and bathrooms linked to drains.
- B: Incorrect — Modern technology; not ancient.
- C: Incorrect — Elevators are modern inventions.
- D: Incorrect — Radios are modern.
Q37. Granaries in Harappan cities were used for:
A. Housing animals.
B. Storing surplus grain to ensure food security.
C. Sewing clothes.
D. Only decoration.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Granaries were for food storage, not animal housing.
- B: Correct — Granaries stored grain to manage food supply and trade.
- C: Incorrect — Not their function.
- D: Incorrect — Functional structures, not decorative only.
Q38. Which of the following public structures is NOT associated with Harappan cities?
A. The Great Bath.
B. Dockyards (Lothal).
C. Large stone Gothic cathedrals.
D. Granaries.
Correct answer: C
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Great Bath is a Harappan feature (so option isn’t “not associated”).
- B: Incorrect — Lothal’s dockyard is Harappan.
- C: Correct — Gothic cathedrals are medieval European structures, not Harappan.
- D: Incorrect — Granaries are Harappan.
Q39. What does the presence of public wells and reservoirs in Harappan towns indicate?
A. A lack of any planning.
B. Organized water management and civic planning.
C. That people never drank water.
D. That the region had endless rainfall.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Public water works reflect planning, not lack of it.
- B: Correct — Wells and reservoirs show organized civic resources for water supply.
- C: Incorrect — Clearly people drank water; these structures served that need.
- D: Incorrect — Water management was needed even in regions without abundant rainfall.
Q40. The street layout of Harappan towns suggests:
A. They were laid out randomly by different families.
B. Civic authority and planned urban design.
C. Streets were designed for aerial vehicles.
D. They were only for military parades.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — The regular grid implies planning by authorities, not random family choices.
- B: Correct — Systematic streets show organized urban planning.
- C: Incorrect — No aerial vehicles existed then.
- D: Incorrect — Streets served multiple urban functions, not just parades.
Q41. Which material was commonly used for Harappan pottery decoration?
A. Silver leaf.
B. Black paint on red pottery.
C. Neon paint.
D. Digital prints.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Silver leaf decoration is rare; not typical for common pottery.
- B: Correct — Harappan pottery often featured black designs on a red slip.
- C: Incorrect — Neon paint is modern.
- D: Incorrect — Digital prints are modern.
Q42. Harappan planning demonstrates that:
A. Every city looked completely different.
B. Uniform standards (e.g., for bricks and weights) were in use across many sites.
C. There was no communication between sites.
D. Each family planned a city alone.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Many similarities existed across sites.
- B: Correct — Standardized bricks and weights indicate shared norms or centralized practices.
- C: Incorrect — Similarities imply contact and communication.
- D: Incorrect — City planning was collective, not by individual families.
Q43. What function could the raised platforms of citadels serve during floods?
A. Provide a place for fish to live.
B. Offer protection by elevating important structures above flood level.
C. Make the city look prettier only.
D. Keep animals away.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Platforms are not for fish.
- B: Correct — Raising important buildings protected them from seasonal floods.
- C: Incorrect — Functionality outweighs mere aesthetics.
- D: Incorrect — Not the primary purpose.
Q44. The existence of drainage inspection holes shows:
A. Harappans didn’t understand maintenance.
B. They planned for cleaning and upkeep of drains.
C. They needed holes for decoration.
D. They were trying to trap small animals.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Inspection holes prove maintenance planning, not ignorance.
- B: Correct — Inspection holes allowed access for cleaning and repairs.
- C: Incorrect — Functional purpose, not decoration.
- D: Incorrect — That was not their reason.
Section D — Culture & Society (15 MCQs)
Q45. The famous small bronze statue found at Mohenjo-daro is popularly called:
A. The Running Man.
B. The Dancing Girl.
C. The Sleeping Giant.
D. The Iron King.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Not the common name.
- B: Correct — The small bronze figurine is called the “Dancing Girl,” showing metalwork skill.
- C: Incorrect — Not related to the artifact.
- D: Incorrect — Not its name.
Q46. Harappan people are believed to have used which fabric extensively?
A. Polyester.
B. Cotton.
C. Nylon.
D. Plastic.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Polyester is modern.
- B: Correct — Evidence shows early cotton cultivation and use.
- C: Incorrect — Nylon is synthetic and modern.
- D: Incorrect — Plastic is modern.
Q47. Which figure is often interpreted as a proto-form of the Hindu god Shiva found on seals?
A. Zeus.
B. Pashupati (a seated figure surrounded by animals).
C. Odin.
D. Buddha.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Zeus is Greek.
- B: Correct — The “Pashupati” seal figure is often linked to an early form of Shiva associated with animals.
- C: Incorrect — Odin is Norse.
- D: Incorrect — Buddha lived much later.
Q48. The Mother Goddess figurines from Harappan sites suggest:
A. A worship of fertility and mother deities.
B. Worship of only male gods.
C. No religious belief at all.
D. A modern art installation.
Correct answer: A
Explanations:
- A: Correct — Abundant female figurines suggest fertility cults or goddess worship.
- B: Incorrect — Both male and female deities appear in finds.
- C: Incorrect — Many ritual objects indicate religious beliefs.
- D: Incorrect — These are ancient artifacts, not modern art.
Q49. Harappan seals typically contain:
A. Human faces on television screens.
B. Animal motifs and short inscriptions in the Harappan script.
C. Long novels written in English.
D. Digital barcodes.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — TVs didn’t exist then.
- B: Correct — Seals show animals (bulls, unicorn-like creatures) and short undeciphered inscriptions.
- C: Incorrect — Irrelevant.
- D: Incorrect — Digital barcodes are modern.
Q50. Toys and games discovered at Harappan sites indicate:
A. Children did not exist.
B. Children played with terracotta toys and enjoyed games; leisure existed.
C. People only worked nonstop.
D. They had video games.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Children existed and played.
- B: Correct — Terracotta toys and gaming pieces show leisure activities and childhood play.
- C: Incorrect — Evidence shows both work and play.
- D: Incorrect — Video games are modern.
Q51. Which of the following best describes Harappan social organization from archaeological evidence?
A. Clear evidence of large palaces and monumental royal tombs.
B. No large palaces found; evidence suggests organized urban communities, perhaps governed by councils or merchant elites.
C. A complete absence of any urban planning.
D. A matriarchal state with queens ruling all cities (explicitly proven).
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Palaces and royal tombs typical of some ancient states are not evident.
- B: Correct — Lack of palaces and presence of administrative measures suggest decentralized or merchant-led governance.
- C: Incorrect — Urban planning is well-evidenced.
- D: Incorrect — There is no conclusive proof of a matriarchal ruling system.
Q52. Harappan ornaments were commonly made from:
A. Plexiglass.
B. Gold, silver, copper, steatite beads, and shells.
C. Paper.
D. Fiber optics.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Plexiglass is modern.
- B: Correct — Jewelry in Harappan sites includes metals, steatite and shell beads.
- C: Incorrect — Paper-made ornaments are not typical.
- D: Incorrect — Fiber optics are modern.
Q53. The presence of terracotta figurines at Harappan sites suggests:
A. Only cooking utensils were made.
B. Religious or household uses, toys, and artistic expression.
C. No artistic ability existed.
D. That pottery was unknown.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Figurines are not just cooking utensils.
- B: Correct — Figurines may be votive objects, toys, or decorations, reflecting craft skills.
- C: Incorrect — Figurines show clear artistic ability.
- D: Incorrect — Pottery was very common.
Q54. Which animal often appears on Harappan seals and is considered significant?
A. Polar bear.
B. Bull (and a unicorn-like motif).
C. Kangaroo.
D. Arctic fox.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Polar bears are Arctic animals, not Harappan icons.
- B: Correct — Bulls and a one-horned “unicorn” motif frequently appear on seals and likely had symbolic meaning.
- C: Incorrect — Kangaroos are Australian.
- D: Incorrect — Arctic foxes are not from the region.
Q55. Which of the following statements is true about Harappan language and script?
A. The Harappans used the English language.
B. The Harappan script exists on seals but is undeciphered; the language is unknown.
C. They had no means of record keeping.
D. Their script is Morse code.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — English is unrelated and modern.
- B: Correct — Harappan inscriptions exist but have not been deciphered; their spoken language remains unknown.
- C: Incorrect — Seals and inscriptions show record keeping.
- D: Incorrect — Morse code is a modern telegraph system.
Section E — Economy & Trade (15 MCQs)
Q56. What formed the backbone of the Harappan economy?
A. Space tourism.
B. Agriculture — cultivation of wheat, barley, sesame, and cotton.
C. Modern banking only.
D. Internet services.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Space tourism is modern and irrelevant.
- B: Correct — Farming was central, with crops such as wheat, barley and cotton.
- C: Incorrect — Modern banking did not exist.
- D: Incorrect — Internet did not exist.
Q57. Evidence for Harappan trade with Mesopotamia includes:
A. Harappan seals and goods found in Mesopotamian sites and ancient texts referring to “Meluhha.”
B. Direct phone calls.
C. Television broadcasts.
D. None — there was absolutely no contact.
Correct answer: A
Explanations:
- A: Correct — Archaeological finds and Mesopotamian records indicate trade links with “Meluhha” (likely the Indus region).
- B: Incorrect — Phones are modern.
- C: Incorrect — Television is modern.
- D: Incorrect — There is clear evidence of contact.
Q58. Lothal’s dockyard demonstrates that Harappans:
A. Hated water.
B. Engaged in maritime trade and had knowledge of shipbuilding/port design.
C. Only used land routes.
D. Never left their towns.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — The dockyard shows they used and valued waterways.
- B: Correct — Lothal’s structure indicates planned maritime trade facilities.
- C: Incorrect — They used both land and sea routes.
- D: Incorrect — Evidence suggests seafaring activity.
Q59. Which items were exported by the Harappan civilization?
A. Electronics and automobiles.
B. Beads, cotton textiles, shells, ivory.
C. Space shuttles.
D. European cheeses.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Modern manufactures are anachronistic.
- B: Correct — Harappan exports included beads, cotton products and other craft goods.
- C: Incorrect — Space technology is modern.
- D: Incorrect — European cheese is unrelated.
Q60. Harappan cities used standardized weights and measures to:
A. Confuse traders.
B. Facilitate fair trade and accurate transactions.
C. Make people wear hats.
D. Only decorate buildings.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Purpose was fairness, not confusion.
- B: Correct — Uniform weights helped ensure reliable and fair trade practices.
- C: Incorrect — Irrelevant.
- D: Incorrect — Weights were functional, not decorative.
Q61. Which of the following crafts were prominent in Harappan towns?
A. Bead-making, pottery, metallurgy, weaving.
B. Smartphone assembly.
C. Jet engine manufacturing.
D. Television production.
Correct answer: A
Explanations:
- A: Correct — Archaeology shows specialized crafts like bead-making and metalwork.
- B: Incorrect — Smartphones are modern.
- C: Incorrect — Jet engines are modern.
- D: Incorrect — TVs are modern.
Q62. What evidence shows Harappans practiced agriculture on a large scale?
A. Only written claims with no physical evidence.
B. Ploughed fields (e.g., impressions), storage granaries, and agricultural tools found at sites.
C. Only paintings on modern walls.
D. None — they were all hunters.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — There is strong physical evidence.
- B: Correct — Archaeological remains show ploughed fields, granaries and tools.
- C: Incorrect — Modern paintings are irrelevant.
- D: Incorrect — Farming was predominant.
Q63. Which metal was commonly used by Harappan craftsmen?
A. Titanium.
B. Copper and bronze.
C. Superconductors.
D. Pure silicon.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Titanium production is modern and rare in ancient times.
- B: Correct — Copper and bronze artifacts are common at Harappan sites.
- C: Incorrect — Superconductors are modern materials.
- D: Incorrect — Silicon was not used as a metal.
Q64. Harappan beads found at Mesopotamian sites imply:
A. Harappans invented Mesopotamia.
B. Active trade and exchange of craft items across regions.
C. Harappans only used beads for local trade and never left home.
D. They communicated by telepathy.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Harappans did not invent Mesopotamia.
- B: Correct — Finding Harappan beads in Mesopotamia shows cross-regional trade.
- C: Incorrect — Evidence shows movement of goods beyond local boundaries.
- D: Incorrect — Telepathy is nonsense here.
Q65. Cotton cultivation in Harappan times is important because:
A. It was entirely useless.
B. It made India one of the earliest cotton-producing regions, enabling cotton textile trade.
C. Cotton was grown only for animals.
D. It prevented farming of other crops.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Cotton had clear economic importance.
- B: Correct — Early cotton cultivation supported textile production and trade.
- C: Incorrect — Cotton is a fiber crop for textiles, not for feeding animals.
- D: Incorrect — Cotton complemented other crops rather than replacing them.
Section F — Decline & Legacy (15 MCQs)
Q66. Which is NOT a widely suggested reason for the decline of the Harappan civilization?
A. Change in river courses and drying of river channels.
B. Severe climatic changes (drought/floods).
C. Widespread use of nuclear weapons.
D. Decline in trade with Mesopotamia.
Correct answer: C
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — River changes are a main theory for decline.
- B: Incorrect — Natural climatic changes are plausible causes.
- C: Correct — Nuclear weapons are modern and not relevant historically.
- D: Incorrect — Reduced trade would have economic impacts.
Q67. The Saraswati (Ghaggar-Hakra) river is important in Harappan studies because:
A. It is a fictional river in novels.
B. Many Harappan sites are found along its palaeochannel, and its drying might have affected settlements.
C. It is used only in modern plumbing.
D. No archaeological sites are near it.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — The Saraswati is a hypothesized ancient river system, not purely fictional.
- B: Correct — Archaeologists link many Harappan sites to the former Saraswati river system.
- C: Incorrect — Irrelevant modern use.
- D: Incorrect — Numerous sites are indeed along its course.
Q68. After the decline of large Harappan cities, what was the immediate settlement pattern?
A. Rapid rise of huge modern metropolises only.
B. Movement towards smaller rural settlements and regional cultures.
C. Instant disappearance of humans.
D. Building of skyscrapers.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Modern metropolitan growth is not the immediate outcome.
- B: Correct — Archaeological evidence suggests a shift to smaller, rural settlements and local cultures.
- C: Incorrect — Human populations continued, but in altered forms.
- D: Incorrect — Skyscrapers are modern.
Q69. Which evidence suggests Harappan cultural elements influenced later Indian traditions?
A. Continuity in worship of certain symbols (mother goddess, sacred animals) and craft traditions like pottery and weaving.
B. Complete cultural rupture with no influence.
C. Only influence on South American cultures.
D. Instant adoption of modern democracy.
Correct answer: A
Explanations:
- A: Correct — Some motifs and practices show continuity into later Indian religious and material culture.
- B: Incorrect — There is evidence of continuity.
- C: Incorrect — Harappan influence is regional, not largely South American.
- D: Incorrect — Modern democracy is unrelated.
Q70. Which statement about the Harappan collapse is most accurate?
A. There is a single universally accepted cause.
B. Archaeologists propose multiple interacting causes including environmental and socio-economic factors.
C. It was due to alien intervention.
D. It never collapsed.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — No single cause is universally accepted.
- B: Correct — A combination of environmental changes, river shifts, and economic decline are the best explanations.
- C: Incorrect — No evidence supports aliens.
- D: Incorrect — Archaeological evidence shows decline and transformation.
Q71. Which of these is a legacy of Harappan urban planning in later Indian history?
A. Use of standard bricks and concern for drainage/sanitation in subsequent settlements.
B. Complete abandonment of towns forever.
C. Turning all cities into forests.
D. Invention of smartphones.
Correct answer: A
Explanations:
- A: Correct — Harappan emphasis on bricks and sanitation influenced later urban practices in the region.
- B: Incorrect — Towns continued to exist and evolve.
- C: Incorrect — Cities did not become forests.
- D: Incorrect — Modern tech is unrelated.
Q72. Which of the following best reflects the scholarly consensus about the Aryan invasion theory and Harappan collapse?
A. It is the only reason and universally accepted.
B. It may have been one factor, but evidence suggests environmental and economic causes were also important; the issue is debated.
C. It happened yesterday.
D. It proves Harappans were aliens.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Not universally accepted as sole cause.
- B: Correct — Scholarly views are mixed; multiple factors likely contributed.
- C: Incorrect — Chronology is ancient, not recent.
- D: Incorrect — No evidence of aliens.
Q73. The continuing importance of cotton in South Asia is a Harappan legacy because:
A. Harappans invented jeans.
B. Harappans were among the earliest to cultivate cotton and produce cotton textiles for trade.
C. Cotton was never used after Harappans.
D. Cotton grows only in Antarctica.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Jeans are modern clothing.
- B: Correct — Early cotton cultivation and textile production are Harappan contributions to regional economy.
- C: Incorrect — Cotton continued to be important.
- D: Incorrect — Cotton does not grow in Antarctica.
Q74. Dholavira’s water management shows that Harappans:
A. Ignored water issues.
B. Engineered reservoirs, channels, and tanks to conserve water in arid zones.
C. Only relied on rain dance rituals.
D. Had unlimited water resources always.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — They actively addressed water scarcity.
- B: Correct — Dholavira demonstrates complex water conservation engineering.
- C: Incorrect — No evidence that ritual alone was their method.
- D: Incorrect — Water was limited in some regions, hence the need for management.
Q75. Which of the following is an effect of the decline of long-distance Harappan trade?
A. Increase in trade volume suddenly.
B. Economic downturn for urban centers that depended on external markets.
C. No change in urban life.
D. Immediate industrial revolution.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Decline in trade would reduce, not increase, trade volume.
- B: Correct — Reduced external trade would hurt cities dependent on exports and imports.
- C: Incorrect — Urban life was affected.
- D: Incorrect — Industrial revolutions occur much later, not as an immediate consequence.
Section G — Mixed / Revision / Important Terms (10 MCQs)
Q76. Which of the following describes a “seal” in Harappan context?
A. A marine animal only.
B. A small carved object, often with animal motif and script, used in trade and administration.
C. A modern postage stamp.
D. An instrument to measure rainfall.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Not only a marine animal here; context differs.
- B: Correct — Seals were administrative/trade devices bearing images and inscriptions.
- C: Incorrect — Seals are not modern postage.
- D: Incorrect — Not a rain gauge.
Q77. Which of these crops was NOT a Harappan crop?
A. Wheat.
B. Barley.
C. Maize (corn).
D. Sesame.
Correct answer: C
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Wheat was cultivated.
- B: Incorrect — Barley was cultivated.
- C: Correct — Maize is native to the Americas and was not a Harappan crop.
- D: Incorrect — Sesame was grown.
Q78. The “Dancing Girl” statue demonstrates Harappans’ skill in:
A. Agriculture only.
B. Metalworking (bronze casting) and artistic expression.
C. Space exploration.
D. Building modern skyscrapers.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — It is an artistic metal artifact, not an agricultural tool.
- B: Correct — The bronze figure shows advanced metal casting and artistry.
- C: Incorrect — Space exploration is modern.
- D: Incorrect — Skyscrapers are modern.
Q79. Harappan “unicorn” motif most likely represents:
A. A literal single-horned animal, symbolic creature or a stylized animal motif used on seals.
B. A dinosaur.
C. A car.
D. A modern graffiti sign.
Correct answer: A
Explanations:
- A: Correct — The one-horned animal motif appears on seals and is symbolic or stylized.
- B: Incorrect — No evidence of dinosaurs coexisting with humans in historic periods.
- C: Incorrect — Cars are modern.
- D: Incorrect — Not graffiti.
Q80. Which one of these is NOT true about Harappan weights?
A. They were standardized and cubical.
B. They varied widely with no system.
C. They helped in fair trade.
D. Found at many Harappan sites.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Standardized cubical weights are true, so this statement is not “not true.”
- B: Correct — It is false that they varied with no system; in fact they were standardized.
- C: Incorrect — They did promote fair trade — true.
- D: Incorrect — Weights are widely found — true.
Q81. Which Harappan site revealed evidence of ploughed fields (impressions) and fire altars, indicating agricultural and ritual practices?
A. Kalibangan.
B. New York City.
C. Timbuktu.
D. Uluru.
Correct answer: A
Explanations:
- A: Correct — Kalibangan showed ploughed field impressions and fire altars.
- B: Incorrect — NYC is modern and unrelated archaeologically.
- C: Incorrect — Timbuktu is separate geographically and culturally.
- D: Incorrect — Uluru is in Australia and not a Harappan site.
Q82. Which of the following best expresses why Harappan script remains hard to decipher?
A. We have thousands of long texts but can’t read them.
B. Most inscriptions are short seals or tags and there is no bilingual text (like Rosetta Stone) to help decipher it.
C. Because it uses modern English.
D. Because it is written in invisible ink.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — We do not have many long continuous texts; inscriptions tend to be short.
- B: Correct — Short texts and absence of bilingual inscriptions make decipherment difficult.
- C: Incorrect — Not true.
- D: Incorrect — No reason to think they used invisible ink.
Q83. In Harappan economy, which item was most likely imported because it was scarce locally?
A. Copper and tin (for bronze).
B. Mud.
C. Wheat.
D. Local clay.
Correct answer: A
Explanations:
- A: Correct — Metals like tin were often imported to make bronze with copper.
- B: Incorrect — Mud/clay was readily available locally.
- C: Incorrect — Wheat was locally grown.
- D: Incorrect — Clay is local.
Q84. Which of the following best describes Harappan religion based on archaeological evidence?
A. A monotheistic system identical to modern religions.
B. Evidence of goddess worship (Mother Goddess), animal motifs, and ritual objects; beliefs appear diverse and localized.
C. No signs of any ritual objects.
D. Reliance on rockets for worship.
Correct answer: B
Explanations:
- A: Incorrect — Harappan religion does not match a single modern monotheistic system.
- B: Correct — Finds suggest fertility cults, animal symbolism, and ritual behaviour.
- C: Incorrect — Many ritual objects have been found.
- D: Incorrect — Rockets are modern technology.
Q85. A good summary of Harappan achievements would include:
A. Advanced urban planning, drainage systems, craft specialization, long-distance trade and water management.
B. Only hunting and moving constantly.
C. Building skyscrapers with elevators.
D. Teleportation.
Correct answer: A
Explanations:
- A: Correct — These are key Harappan achievements recognized by archaeology.
- B: Incorrect — Harappan society was urban and sedentary.
- C: Incorrect — Modern inventions are unrelated.
- D: Incorrect — Sci-fi and not relevant.
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