Indus Valley Civilization MCQs for UPSC Prelims

41 practice questions on Indus Valley Civilization from the Ancient & Medieval History section of the UPSC Prelims syllabus. 41 come with a written explanation and 5 are actual previous year questions. Try the sample set below - the answer stays hidden until you ask for it.

8 Easy 19 Medium 14 Hard 5 from past papers

Sample questions

Q1
Previous year question medium

Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?

  1. A Chanhudaro
  2. B Kot Diji
  3. C Sohgaura
  4. D Desalpur
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - Sohgaura

Sohgaura, in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh, is known for a Mauryan-period copper plate inscription dealing with famine relief and has nothing to do with the Harappan civilization. Chanhudaro in Sindh was a Harappan craft centre famous for bead making and the absence of a citadel. Kot Diji, also in Sindh, is an important pre-Harappan and early Harappan site near Mohenjodaro. Desalpur in the Kutch region of Gujarat is likewise a recognized Harappan settlement, so Sohgaura is the odd one out.

Q2
Previous year question easy

Which of the following characterizes/characterize the people of Indus Civilization? 1. They possessed great palaces and temples. 2. They worshipped both male and female deities. 3. They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare. Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below.

  1. A 1 and 2 only
  2. B 2 only
  3. C 1, 2 and 3
  4. D None of the statements given above is correct
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - 2 only

Excavations suggest the Harappans worshipped a mother goddess and a male proto-Shiva (Pashupati) figure, indicating both male and female deities, so statement 2 is correct and option (b) is the answer. Statement 1 is wrong because no monumental palaces or clearly identifiable temples have been found; the civilisation is marked by functional structures like the Great Bath and granaries rather than royal palaces. Statement 3 is incorrect because there is no evidence of horses or horse-drawn chariots in warfare in the mature Harappan phase; the horse became prominent only later with the Vedic people. Hence options (a), (c) and (d) are eliminated.

Q3
Previous year question medium

Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs?

  1. A Dholavira
  2. B Kalibangan
  3. C Rakhigarhi
  4. D Ropar
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - Dholavira

Dholavira in Gujarat is famous for its sophisticated water management, with a network of dams, drains and large interconnected reservoirs cut into rock to store rainwater and channelled stream water, making it the correct answer. Kalibangan is known for ploughed fields and fire altars, Rakhigarhi for being one of the largest Harappan sites, and Ropar for being the first Harappan site excavated after independence, but none matches the elaborate reservoir system. Hence Dholavira is the answer.

Q4
Previous year question hard

With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them. 2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron. 3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. A 1 only
  2. B 2 and 3 only
  3. C 1 and 3 only
  4. D 1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - 1 and 3 only

Statement 2 is wrong because the Indus Valley people did not know iron; iron came into use only in the later Vedic period, so the claim that they knew 'copper and iron' is false. Statement 1 is accepted as correct, as the Rigvedic Aryans used armour like coat of mail and helmet while the Harappans left no such evidence. Statement 3 is correct: the horse was central to Aryan life but there is no firm evidence the Harappans knew it. Hence only 1 and 3 are correct.

Q5
Previous year question medium

Regarding the Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following statements: 1. It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene. 2. During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A 1 only
  2. B 2 only
  3. C Both 1 and 2
  4. D Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - Both 1 and 2

Correct answer (c) Both 1 and 2. The Indus Valley Civilization left no large temples or dominant priestly monuments and appears to have been largely secular in its public life, with religion present but not overpowering, so statement 1 is correct. Excavations show that cotton was cultivated and spun for textiles, with the Indus being among the earliest known centres of cotton cloth, so statement 2 is correct. Because both hold, options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect.

Q6
medium

With reference to the Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following statements: 1. The Great Bath has been found at the site of Mohenjodaro. 2. The largest number of fire altars associated with the civilization have been reported from Kalibangan. 3. A dockyard has been identified at the site of Lothal. How many of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A Only one
  2. B Only two
  3. C All three
  4. D None
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - All three

All three statements are correct. The Great Bath, a large brick-lined water tank, is the most famous structure at Mohenjodaro (in Sindh). Kalibangan (Rajasthan) is noted for its rows of fire altars, suggesting a form of fire ritual, along with evidence of ploughed fields. Lothal (Gujarat) had a structure widely interpreted as a dockyard connected to the river, indicating maritime trade. Since each statement is independently true, the count is three.

Q7
easy

With reference to the Harappan (Indus Valley) Civilization, consider the following statements: 1. The Great Bath is located at the site of Mohenjo-daro. 2. Dholavira, in present-day Gujarat, is noted for its sophisticated water harvesting structures and reservoirs. 3. Lothal had a structure that has commonly been interpreted as a dockyard. How many of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A Only one
  2. B Only two
  3. C All three
  4. D None
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - All three

All three statements are correct. The Great Bath, a large watertight tank with steps, is one of the most famous structures at Mohenjo-daro. Dholavira (Gujarat) is renowned for its elaborate system of reservoirs and water channels and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lothal (Gujarat) has a large brick structure on its eastern side widely interpreted as a dockyard connected to maritime trade. Hence all three are correct, making 'All three' the answer; the other options understate the number of correct statements.

Q8
medium

Consider the following pairs of Harappan sites and the rivers/locations with which they are associated: 1. Lothal : Bhogavo river 2. Kalibangan : Ghaggar river 3. Banawali : Saraswati (palaeochannel) region How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

  1. A Only one
  2. B Only two
  3. C All three
  4. D None
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - All three

All three pairs are correct. Lothal in Gujarat lies near the Bhogavo river, a tributary feeding the Gulf of Khambhat region. Kalibangan in Rajasthan is on the banks of the now-dry Ghaggar river. Banawali in Haryana is located in the old Saraswati/Ghaggar palaeochannel belt. All pairings are standard, so the answer is all three.

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