Question 1: The Indus Valley Civilization is also known as:
- A Harappan Civilization
- B Vedic Civilization
- C Dravidian Civilization
- D Aryan Civilization
Explanation: It is also called the Harappan Civilization, after Harappa.
Question 2: Harappa was discovered in which year?
- A 1921
- B 1922
- C 1924
- D 1930
Explanation: Daya Ram Sahni discovered Harappa in 1921.
Question 3: Mohenjo-daro is located in which modern country?
- A Pakistan
- B India
- C Afghanistan
- D Iran
Explanation: Mohenjo-daro is in Sindh, Pakistan.
Question 4: Harappa is located in which modern country?
- A Pakistan
- B India
- C Afghanistan
- D Iran
Explanation: Harappa is in Punjab, Pakistan.
Question 5: The Great Bath is at which site?
- A Mohenjo-daro
- B Harappa
- C Lothal
- D Kalibangan
Explanation: The Great Bath is a public water tank at Mohenjo-daro.
Question 6: IVC cities were known for:
- A Grid streets and planned drainage
- B Pyramidal temples
- C Massive palaces
- D Iron metallurgy
Explanation: IVC cities had grid streets, drainage systems, and standardised bricks.
Question 7: IVC bricks were standardised in the ratio:
- A 1:2:4
- B 1:1:2
- C 1:3:5
- D 2:3:4
Explanation: IVC bricks used a 1:2:4 thickness:width:length proportion.
Question 8: The 'Dancing Girl' figurine was found at:
- A Mohenjo-daro
- B Harappa
- C Lothal
- D Dholavira
Explanation: The bronze Dancing Girl is from Mohenjo-daro.
Question 9: The Pashupati seal depicts a figure resembling:
- A Shiva
- B Vishnu
- C Brahma
- D Krishna
Explanation: The Pashupati seal's seated horned figure resembles the Hindu deity Shiva.
Question 10: The IVC script is:
- A Undeciphered
- B Deciphered in 1924
- C A form of Sanskrit
- D Related to cuneiform
Explanation: The Indus script remains undeciphered.
Question 11: The most common animal on IVC seals is:
- A Humped bull
- B Elephant
- C Lion
- D Horse
Explanation: The humped bull (zebu) appears most frequently on Indus seals.
Question 12: Which animal is NOT depicted on IVC seals?
- A Horse
- B Bull
- C Elephant
- D Tiger
Explanation: The horse is absent from IVC art, suggesting it was not yet widely used in South Asia.
Question 13: Dholavira is known for its:
- A Water reservoirs and city layout
- B Dockyard
- C Great Bath
- D Royal tombs
Explanation: Dholavira (in Kutch, Gujarat) is famous for its water reservoirs and three-part city layout.
Question 14: Rakhigarhi is located in which Indian state?
- A Haryana
- B Punjab
- C Gujarat
- D Rajasthan
Explanation: Rakhigarhi is in Haryana, India.
Question 15: Kalibangan is located in which Indian state?
- A Rajasthan
- B Haryana
- C Gujarat
- D Punjab
Explanation: Kalibangan is in Rajasthan, India.
Question 16: The IVC traded with which ancient civilization?
- A Mesopotamia
- B Egypt
- C China
- D Greece
Explanation: IVC seals found in Mesopotamia show trade with 'Meluhha' (the Indus region).
Question 17: The IVC was among the first to cultivate:
- A Cotton
- B Rice
- C Maize
- D Potato
Explanation: The IVC was the earliest civilization to cultivate and produce cotton.
Question 18: The Mature Harappan phase is dated:
- A 2600–1900 BCE
- B 5000–4000 BCE
- C 1000–500 BCE
- D 100 BCE–100 CE
Explanation: The Mature Harappan phase is c. 2600–1900 BCE.
Question 19: Mehrgarh, one of the earliest Neolithic sites, is located in:
- A Balochistan, Pakistan
- B Sindh, Pakistan
- C Punjab, Pakistan
- D Gujarat, India
Explanation: Mehrgarh is in Balochistan, Pakistan, occupied from 7000 BCE.
Question 20: The IVC urban planning notably lacks:
- A Monumental palaces and royal tombs
- B Drainage systems
- C Grid streets
- D Standardised bricks
Explanation: Unlike Egypt and Mesopotamia, IVC has no palaces, pyramids, or royal tombs, suggesting a more egalitarian society.
Question 21: Mohenjo-daro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in:
- A 1980
- B 1950
- C 1999
- D 2010
Explanation: Mohenjo-daro was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
Question 22: The IVC decline is best explained by:
- A Multiple factors (climate, rivers, migration)
- B Aryan invasion only
- C Single earthquake
- D Foreign invasion
Explanation: Multiple factors — climate change, river shifts, floods, and migration — likely contributed to IVC decline.