For SSC CGL and State PSC Degree Level Exams
1. The Harappan Civilisation is also known as:
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Harappan Civilisation is alternatively called the Indus Valley Civilisation after the river system in whose basin it developed.
The Harappan Civilisation is alternatively called the Indus Valley Civilisation after the river system in whose basin it developed.
2. What is the total time span of the Harappan Civilisation?
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The civilisation spans from 6000 BCE (Early Harappan formative phase) to 1300 BCE (end of Late Harappan phase).
The civilisation spans from 6000 BCE (Early Harappan formative phase) to 1300 BCE (end of Late Harappan phase).
3. The Mature Harappan phase (most prosperous urban phase) lasted from:
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Mature Harappan or urban phase is dated 2600 BCE–1900 BCE and is considered the peak of the civilisation.
The Mature Harappan or urban phase is dated 2600 BCE–1900 BCE and is considered the peak of the civilisation.
4. How many Harappan archaeological sites have been discovered in the Indian subcontinent so far?
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Archaeological surveys have revealed more than 2000 Harappan sites across the Indian subcontinent.
Archaeological surveys have revealed more than 2000 Harappan sites across the Indian subcontinent.
5. Nearly two-thirds of Harappan settlements are located in the basin of which river?
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
About two-thirds of Harappan settlements are in the Saraswati river basin indicating its great importance to the civilisation.
About two-thirds of Harappan settlements are in the Saraswati river basin indicating its great importance to the civilisation.
6. Which of the following is NOT one of the five major Harappan cities?
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The five major Harappan cities are Rakhigarhi Mohenjodaro Harappa Dholavira and Ganweriwala. Lothal was an important site but not counted among the five major cities.
The five major Harappan cities are Rakhigarhi Mohenjodaro Harappa Dholavira and Ganweriwala. Lothal was an important site but not counted among the five major cities.
7. Evidence of a ploughed field with two sets of furrows at right angles was found at:
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
A ploughed field associated with Early Harappan levels showing two crop rows at right angles to each other was discovered at Kalibangan in Rajasthan.
A ploughed field associated with Early Harappan levels showing two crop rows at right angles to each other was discovered at Kalibangan in Rajasthan.
8. Harappan seals were typically made of which material?
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Harappan seals were made of steatite a soft stone that could be easily worked and carved with animal motifs and script.
Harappan seals were made of steatite a soft stone that could be easily worked and carved with animal motifs and script.
9. The settlement of Mohenjodaro was divided into two sections. These were:
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Mohenjodaro was divided into the Citadel (smaller higher western section) and the Lower Town (larger lower eastern section).
Mohenjodaro was divided into the Citadel (smaller higher western section) and the Lower Town (larger lower eastern section).
10. What was the most distinctive feature of the Great Bath at Mohenjodaro?
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Great Bath was a large watertight rectangular tank in the Citadel made waterproof with gypsum mortar and believed to have served ritual bathing purposes.
The Great Bath was a large watertight rectangular tank in the Citadel made waterproof with gypsum mortar and believed to have served ritual bathing purposes.
11. Which of the following grains was RARELY found at Harappan sites?
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
While wheat barley lentil chickpea and sesame were commonly found rice finds are described as relatively rare in the text.
While wheat barley lentil chickpea and sesame were commonly found rice finds are described as relatively rare in the text.
12. Terracotta models of ploughs were found at which Harappan sites?
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Terracotta models of the plough have been found at sites in Cholistan and at Banawali in Haryana suggesting oxen were used for ploughing.
Terracotta models of the plough have been found at sites in Cholistan and at Banawali in Haryana suggesting oxen were used for ploughing.
13. Harappan weights were usually made of a stone called:
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Harappan exchange weights were usually made of a stone called chert and were generally cubical with no markings.
Harappan exchange weights were usually made of a stone called chert and were generally cubical with no markings.
14. The Harappan weight system used binary denominations (1 2 4 8 16 32) for:
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Lower denominations of Harappan weights followed a binary system while higher denominations (160 200 320 640) followed the decimal system.
Lower denominations of Harappan weights followed a binary system while higher denominations (160 200 320 640) followed the decimal system.
15. Which settlement near the coast specialised in making shell objects like bangles and ladles?
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Nageshwar and Balakot are both coastal settlements identified as specialised centres for making shell objects including bangles ladles and inlay pieces.
Nageshwar and Balakot are both coastal settlements identified as specialised centres for making shell objects including bangles ladles and inlay pieces.
16. Chemical analysis showed that Harappan copper artefacts and Omani copper both contained traces of:
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Chemical analyses revealed that both Omani copper and Harappan artefacts have traces of nickel suggesting a common origin and trade links between the two regions.
Chemical analyses revealed that both Omani copper and Harappan artefacts have traces of nickel suggesting a common origin and trade links between the two regions.
17. Mesopotamian texts referred to the Harappan region by which name?
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Mesopotamian texts refer to Meluhha as the source of carnelian lapis lazuli copper gold and wood — widely identified by scholars as the Harappan region.
Mesopotamian texts refer to Meluhha as the source of carnelian lapis lazuli copper gold and wood — widely identified by scholars as the Harappan region.
18. The Harappan script had approximately how many signs?
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Harappan script is estimated to have between 375 and 400 signs making it evidently non-alphabetical since alphabets typically have far fewer signs.
The Harappan script is estimated to have between 375 and 400 signs making it evidently non-alphabetical since alphabets typically have far fewer signs.
19. Who announced the discovery of the Harappan Civilisation to the world in 1924?
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
John Marshall Director-General of the ASI announced the discovery of the new Indus Valley civilisation to the world in 1924 based on excavation findings at Harappa and Mohenjodaro.
John Marshall Director-General of the ASI announced the discovery of the new Indus Valley civilisation to the world in 1924 based on excavation findings at Harappa and Mohenjodaro.
20. Who was the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)?
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Alexander Cunningham was the first Director-General of the ASI often called the father of Indian archaeology. He began excavations in the mid-nineteenth century.
Alexander Cunningham was the first Director-General of the ASI often called the father of Indian archaeology. He began excavations in the mid-nineteenth century.
21. Faience is a material made of:
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Faience is described as a material made of ground sand or silica mixed with colour and a gum and then fired. Small pots of faience were considered precious because they were difficult to make.
Faience is described as a material made of ground sand or silica mixed with colour and a gum and then fired. Small pots of faience were considered precious because they were difficult to make.
22. What does the term 'archaeogenetics' refer to?
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Archaeogenetics is defined in the chapter as the study of DNA of ancient populations involving various methods of molecular genetics to understand population history.
Archaeogenetics is defined in the chapter as the study of DNA of ancient populations involving various methods of molecular genetics to understand population history.
23. R.E.M. Wheeler improved archaeological methodology at Harappa by:
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Wheeler recognized the need to follow the natural stratigraphy of the mound rather than dig mechanically along uniform horizontal lines — correcting the flaw in Marshall's approach.
Wheeler recognized the need to follow the natural stratigraphy of the mound rather than dig mechanically along uniform horizontal lines — correcting the flaw in Marshall's approach.
24. By approximately which date had most Mature Harappan sites been abandoned?
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The text states that by c. 1800 BCE most Mature Harappan sites in regions like Cholistan had been abandoned with population expanding into Gujarat Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.
The text states that by c. 1800 BCE most Mature Harappan sites in regions like Cholistan had been abandoned with population expanding into Gujarat Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.
25. The biggest Harappan city spread over 550 hectares and the site of archaeogenetic research is:
Check Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Rakhigarhi located in Hisar district of Haryana is identified as the biggest Harappan city spread over 550 hectares. DNA was extracted from skeletal remains there to study the genetic history of the Harappans.
Rakhigarhi located in Hisar district of Haryana is identified as the biggest Harappan city spread over 550 hectares. DNA was extracted from skeletal remains there to study the genetic history of the Harappans.
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| Dholavira in Gujarat, India, one of the largest cities of Indus Valley Civilisation, with stepwell steps to reach the water level in artificially constructed reservoirs. |