India General Knowledge

MODULE 1: Ancient Indian History MCQs

Topic: Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Culture) GK MCQs

SUB-TOPIC 1: Discovery, Extent & Chronology

Q1. The Indus Valley Civilization was first discovered in the year:

A. 1905
B. 1915
C. 1921
D. 1931

Correct Answer: C. 1921
Explanation: The civilization came to light in 1921 with the excavation of Harappa, marking the discovery of one of the world’s earliest urban cultures.

Q2. Which site was the first to be excavated among the Harappan sites?

A. Mohenjo-daro
B. Harappa
C. Lothal
D. Kalibangan

Correct Answer: B. Harappa
Explanation: Harappa was the first site excavated, leading to the identification of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Q3. The Indus Valley Civilization belongs to which age?

A. Neolithic Age
B. Chalcolithic Age
C. Bronze Age
D. Iron Age

Correct Answer: C. Bronze Age
Explanation: The widespread use of bronze tools and implements places this civilization firmly in the Bronze Age.

Q4. The approximate time period of the mature Harappan phase is:

A. 4000–3000 BCE
B. 3300–2600 BCE
C. 2600–1900 BCE
D. 1900–1200 BCE

Correct Answer: C. 2600–1900 BCE
Explanation: This period represents the peak of urban planning, trade, and cultural development.

Q5. The largest Harappan site discovered so far is:

A. Harappa
B. Mohenjo-daro
C. Dholavira
D. Rakhigarhi

Correct Answer: D. Rakhigarhi
Explanation: Rakhigarhi, located in Haryana, is currently considered the largest known Harappan site.

SUB-TOPIC 2: Town Planning & Architecture

Q6. The town planning of Harappan cities followed which pattern?

A. Radial pattern
B. Circular pattern
C. Grid pattern
D. Irregular pattern

Correct Answer: C. Grid pattern
Explanation: Streets were laid out in straight lines intersecting at right angles, reflecting advanced urban planning.

Q7. The elevated fortified area of a Harappan city is known as:

A. Lower town
B. Citadel
C. Granary
D. Assembly hall

Correct Answer: B. Citadel
Explanation: The citadel housed important public buildings and administrative structures.

Q8. Which feature best highlights the advanced sanitation system of the Harappans?

A. Public wells
B. Brick houses
C. Underground drainage
D. Fortified walls

Correct Answer: C. Underground drainage
Explanation: Covered drains connected to individual houses show a remarkable concern for hygiene.

Q9. Houses in Harappan cities were mainly constructed using:

A. Stone
B. Wood
C. Sun-dried bricks only
D. Baked bricks

Correct Answer: D. Baked bricks
Explanation: Standardized baked bricks were used across cities, indicating uniform construction practices.

Q10. The Great Bath, an important structure, has been found at:

A. Harappa
B. Dholavira
C. Mohenjo-daro
D. Lothal

Correct Answer: C. Mohenjo-daro
Explanation: The Great Bath suggests ritualistic bathing and social or religious practices.

SUB-TOPIC 3: Economy, Agriculture & Trade

Q11. The main occupation of the Harappan people was:

A. Hunting
B. Pastoralism
C. Agriculture
D. Fishing

Correct Answer: C. Agriculture
Explanation: Fertile plains and irrigation supported a strong agricultural economy.

Q12. Which of the following crops was widely cultivated by the Harappans?

A. Wheat
B. Tea
C. Coffee
D. Sugarcane

Correct Answer: A. Wheat
Explanation: Wheat and barley were staple crops of the Harappan agricultural system.

Q13. The Harappans were the earliest people known to cultivate:

A. Rice
B. Cotton
C. Jute
D. Maize

Correct Answer: B. Cotton
Explanation: Archaeological evidence confirms cotton cultivation and textile production.

Q14. Evidence of Harappan trade relations has been found with:

A. China
B. Rome
C. Mesopotamia
D. Egypt

Correct Answer: C. Mesopotamia
Explanation: Mesopotamian records mention trade with “Meluhha,” identified with the Indus region.

Q15. Which port city was important for maritime trade?

A. Harappa
B. Kalibangan
C. Lothal
D. Banawali

Correct Answer: C. Lothal
Explanation: Lothal had a dockyard, indicating overseas trade through sea routes.

SUB-TOPIC 4: Society, Religion & Culture

Q16. The Harappan society appears to have been:

A. Matriarchal
B. Theocratic
C. Egalitarian
D. Caste-based

Correct Answer: C. Egalitarian
Explanation: Uniform housing patterns suggest limited social inequality.

Q17. The most commonly found artifacts used for identification are:

A. Pottery
B. Seals
C. Sculptures
D. Weapons

Correct Answer: B. Seals
Explanation: Seals were used for trade, identification, and possibly religious purposes.

Q18. The Harappan script is:

A. Alphabetical
B. Deciphered
C. Pictographic and undeciphered
D. Numerical

Correct Answer: C. Pictographic and undeciphered
Explanation: Despite many attempts, the script remains undeciphered.

Q19. The famous bronze statue of a dancing girl was found at:

A. Harappa
B. Mohenjo-daro
C. Dholavira
D. Lothal

Correct Answer: B. Mohenjo-daro
Explanation: The statue reflects advanced metal casting techniques.

Q20. Which animal appears most frequently on Harappan seals?

A. Horse
B. Cow
C. Elephant
D. Unicorn

Correct Answer: D. Unicorn
Explanation: The unicorn motif is the most common and remains a mystery.

SUB-TOPIC 5: Science, Technology & Administration

Q21. The Harappans used weights mainly made of:

A. Iron
B. Limestone
C. Chert
D. Clay

Correct Answer: C. Chert
Explanation: Standardized weights indicate a regulated trade system.

Q22. The brick ratio commonly used by the Harappans was:

A. 1:1:1
B. 1:2:4
C. 2:3:5
D. 3:4:6

Correct Answer: B. 1:2:4
Explanation: Uniform brick proportions reflect standardized construction norms.

Q23. Evidence of dockyard construction suggests expertise in:

A. Astronomy
B. Metallurgy
C. Shipbuilding
D. Medicine

Correct Answer: C. Shipbuilding
Explanation: Dockyards indicate advanced engineering and maritime knowledge.

Q24. The Harappan administration was likely:

A. Monarchical
B. Military-based
C. Centralized and organized
D. Tribal

Correct Answer: C. Centralized and organized
Explanation: Uniform planning across cities suggests strong administrative control.

SUB-TOPIC 6: Decline of the Civilization

Q25. Which river’s drying is linked with the decline of the civilization?

A. Indus
B. Ganga
C. Yamuna
D. Ghaggar-Hakra

Correct Answer: D. Ghaggar-Hakra
Explanation: Climatic changes affected river systems crucial to Harappan settlements.

Q26. The decline of the Indus Valley Civilization was:

A. Sudden and violent
B. Gradual and regional
C. Due to invasion alone
D. Caused by epidemics

Correct Answer: B. Gradual and regional
Explanation: Archaeological evidence suggests a slow decline over time.

Q27. Which factor is NOT considered a cause of decline?

A. Climate change
B. River course changes
C. Over-urbanization
D. Industrial revolution

Correct Answer: D. Industrial revolution
Explanation: The industrial revolution occurred much later in history.

Q28. After the decline, many Harappans migrated towards:

A. Western Asia
B. Himalayan region
C. Eastern and southern India
D. Central Asia

Correct Answer: C. Eastern and southern India
Explanation: Population movements followed more stable ecological regions.

Q29. The post-Harappan phase is marked by:

A. Increased urbanization
B. Decline in craftsmanship
C. Expansion of trade
D. Use of iron tools

Correct Answer: B. Decline in craftsmanship
Explanation: Art and urban features show noticeable deterioration.

Q30. The Indus Valley Civilization is important because it:

A. Introduced iron tools
B. Established earliest Indian democracy
C. Represents the earliest urban culture in India
D. Was purely rural

Correct Answer: C. Represents the earliest urban culture in India
Explanation: It laid the foundation of urban life, administration, and culture in the Indian subcontinent.

• Harappan Civilization MCQs

• Indus Valley Civilization GK Questions

• Ancient Indian History MCQs

• Harappan Culture MCQs for UPSC

• Indus Valley Civilization Objective Questions

• Ancient History GK MCQs India

• Harappan Civilization Practice Questions

• Indus Valley Civilization Prelims MCQs

📌 Indus Valley Civilization MCQs for Exam Success

This comprehensive set of Indus Valley Civilization MCQs is systematically designed to strengthen conceptual clarity in Ancient Indian History. With chronological coverage of discovery, town planning, economy, religion, art, technology, and decline, these questions are ideal for UPSC, State PSCs, SSC, Banking, CUET, Defence, and academic examinations. Regular practice of these Harappan Culture GK MCQs will significantly enhance accuracy, retention, and exam confidence.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Are these Indus Valley Civilization MCQs useful for UPSC Prelims?
Yes. These MCQs are strictly aligned with the UPSC and State PSC Ancient History syllabus and are highly relevant for Prelims preparation.

Q2. Do these questions include answers with explanations?
Yes. Each MCQ includes a correct answer along with a detailed, easy-to-understand explanation for concept clarity.

Q3. Are these MCQs suitable for school and university exams?
Absolutely. The questions are structured to suit school boards, college, university exams, and competitive entrance tests.

Q4. What topics of the Harappan Civilization are covered?
The MCQs cover discovery, chronology, town planning, economy, agriculture, trade, religion, art, script, technology, administration, and decline.

Q5. Can these MCQs be used for quick revision before exams?
Yes. This set works excellently as a last-minute revision and self-assessment tool for Ancient Indian History.

🎯 Targeting Examinations

These Indus Valley Civilization GK MCQs are carefully structured for:

• UPSC Civil Services (Prelims)

• State Public Service Commissions (PSC)

• SSC (CGL, CHSL, GD, MTS)

• Banking Exams (IBPS, SBI, RBI)

• CUET (UG & PG)

• NDA, CDS & Defence Exams

• Teaching Eligibility Tests (TET, CTET)

• School Board Exams (CBSE, ICSE, State Boards)

• College & University Semester Examinations

• All major competitive and entrance examinations across India