Indus Valley Civilization 2500-1700BC

The Harappan/ Indus Valley civilisation was the first urban civilisation in South Asia, contemporaneous with the civilisations of Mesopotamia and Egypt. It was larger than ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia civilisations.
First site excavated: Harappa site by Dayaram Sahni in 1921.
John Marshall: first scholar to use the term Indus Civilisation.
Most accepted timeline: 2500 BC – 1750 BC (Carbon-14 Dating).
Period: India Civilization belongs to proto-historic period- Chalcolithic Age/Bronze Age.

Harappan Civilization: 2500–1750 BC

Heartland of Indus Civilization: Harappa-GhaggarMohenjo-Daro axis.
Indus sites found in Afghanistan: Shortughai and Mundigaq.
Capital cities: Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro.
Port cities: Lothal, Sutkagendor, Allahdino, Balakot, Kuntasi.
Area covered: Harappan civilisation was triangular in shape and was largest among the three ancient urban civilisations, the other two being ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia (present day Iraq). It roughly covers modern day Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, and Pakistan.
Father of Indian archaeology: Alexander Cunningham, the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Early Harappan Phase(3300 – 2600 BCE) > Mature Harappan Phase (2600 – 1900 BCE) > Late Harappan Phase (1900 – 1300 BCE)

Northernmost site: Manda (Jammu-Kashmir)
Southernmost site: Daimabad (Maharashtra)
Easternmost site: Alamgirpur (Uttar Pradesh)
Western-most site: Sutkagendor (Pakistan-Iran border).
Largest site of Indus civilization: Mohenjo-Daro
Largest Indian site of Indus civilization: Rakhigarh
Oldest script in Indian subcontinent: Harappan script
Oldest deciphered script: Brahmi script
Shamans are men and women who claim magical and healing powers, as well as an ability to communicate with the other world.

INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION: LOCATION, RIVER, EXCAVATOR, FINDINGS
Site	Features
Harappa (first archaeological site to be discovered)	Pakistan (Punjab), River: Ravi, Excavator : Dayaram Sahni (1921), Findings : Granaries, Red sandstone Male torso, Stone symbols of Lingam and Yoni, Painted pottery, Mother Goddess, Dice.
Mohenjo-daro	Pakistan (Sindh), River Indus, Excavator R. D. Banerji (1922), E. Mackay, Kashinath Dixit, Sir John Marshall (1930), Findings Largest site of Indus civilization, Post cremation burial, Great Granary, Great Bath (largest building of civilization), Seal with Pashupathi and mother goddess, Bronze dancing girl.
Chanhudaro	State Pakistan (Sindh), near Mohenjo-DaroRiver IndusExcavator N.G. Mazumdar (1931) and E. MackayFindings Inkpot, Lipstick, Metal workers, Shell-ornament makers and bead makers shop, dog’s paw imprint on brick, Terracotta model of bullock cart, Bronze toy cart.
Lothal	State Gujarat (Ahmedabad District, at the head of the Gulf of Cambay)River Bhogava and Sabarmati river confluenceExcavator S Rao in 1953.Findings Important naval trade site, Cremation site, Dockyard, Granaries, Rice husk, Double burial (male female together
Dholavira	State GujaratRiver LuniExcavator RS Bisht in 1985 (as per NCERT). Some books mention J.P. Joshi (1990–91)Findings Unique water harnessing system and its storm water drainage system, only site divided in 3 parts, Megalithic stone circle, giant water reservoirs
Surkotada	State GujaratExcavator J.P. Joshi (1964)Findings Only site with bones of horse, Oval grave, Pot burials, Soldiers sign on potsherd
Kalibangan (Black Bangles)	State RajasthanRiver GhaggarExcavator Amlanand Ghosh (1953) Dr. B. B. Lal and B. K. Thapar (1961)Findings Bangle factory, Ploughed field surface, Camel bones, Fire altars.
Banawali	State HaryanaRiver GhaggarExcavator R.S. Bist (1973–74)Findings Oval shaped settlement, Lack of systematic drainage system, Barley grains, Lapis Lazuli, Fire altars, Only city with Radial streets; Centre of pre-Harappan, Mature Harappan as well as Late Harappan civilization.
Ropar	State PunjabRiver SutlejExcavator Y.D. Sharma (1955–56)Findings Dog buried with human oval pit burials, copper axe, first site to be excavated after independence
Rakhigarhi	State HaryanaFindings Largest Indian site of Indus valley civilization. Granary, cemetery, drains, terracotta bricks. Shows all three phases of Harappa Culture.
Rangpur	State Gujarat (Near Lothal)River Madar RiverExcavator M.S. Vatsa (1931) S.R. Rao (1953-54)Findings Remains of both pre-Harappan and mature Harappan culture; Yellow and gray color pots of pre Harappan people.
Alamgirpur	State Uttar PradeshRiver HindonExcavator Y.D. Sharma (1958)Findings Broken copper blade, ceramic items and impression of cloth on a trough.
Daimabad	State MaharashtraRiver PravaraExcavator Y.D. Sharma (1958)Findings Bronze images (charioteer with chariot, ox, elephant and rhinoceros)
Koti-Diji	State Sindh (Pakistan)River SindhExcavator NG MazumdarFindings Bronze images (charioteer with chariot, ox, elephant and rhinoceros)
Amri	State Sindh (Pakistan), River Sindh, Excavator Ghurey (1835) Fazal Ahmed (1955), Findings Pre-Harappan settlement; Transitional culture between pre and post- Harappan culture; Actual remains of rhinoceros, trace of jhangar culture in Late Harappan fire altars.
Suktagendor	State Sindh (Pakistan), River Dasht/Dashak River, Excavator A Stein, George Dales, Findings Ash filled pot, copper axe , earthen bangles & pottery; Originally port but later cut off from sea due to coastal upliftment; Had trade links with Babylon.

FEATURES OF HARAPPAN CIVILIZATION

1. Town Planning and Structures

The towns were in a rectangular grid pattern with roads at right angles.
Used burnt mud bricks joined with gypsum mortar (contemporary Egyptian dried bricks were used).
The city was divided in two parts, the city on raised platform, known as Upper citadel & the lower town known as Lower citadel (working class quarters). Fortified citadel was found, except in Chanhudaro.
Most buildings have private wells and properly ventilated bathrooms.
Do not have large monumental structures such as temples or palaces for rulers unlike Egyptian and Mesopotamian Civilization.
Evidence of an Advanced drainage system.
At sites such as Dholavira and Lothal (Gujarat), the entire settlement was fortified, and sections within the town were also separated by walls. The Citadel within Lothal was not walled off, but was built at a height.

2. Agriculture

Main crops: Wheat and Barley. Evidence of cultivation of rice in Lothal and Rangpur (Gujarat) only.
Other crops: Dates, Mustard, Sesamum, Cotton, Rai, Peas etc.
First to produce cotton in the world and used it for textiles, Called Sindon by the Greeks.
Used animal drawn wooden plough, and stone sickles.
Gabarbands or Nalas enclosed by dams were found but channel or canal irrigation was probably not practiced.
Produced sufficient food grains and cereals were received as taxes from peasants and stored in granaries for wages and emergencies same as Mesopotamia.

3. Domestication of Animals

Animals: Oxen, buffaloes, goats, sheep, and pigs, dogs, cats, asses and camels domesticated.
Humped bulls were favored by the Harappans.
Neither horse centered nor were they aware of it, but evidence of horses are found in Surkotada, Mohenjo-Daro and Lothal.
Lion was not known.
Elephants and Rhinoceros (Amari) were well known.

4. Technology and Craft

This is known as the first urbanization in India.
Along with stone, they were well acquainted with copper, silver, gold and bronze (occasionally mixed arsenic with copper instead of tin).
Iron was not known to the people.
Important crafts: spinning (Spindle whorls), bricklaying, boat-making, seal making, terracotta manufacturing (potter’s wheel), goldsmiths, bead making.
They were aware of the use of the wheel.

5. Trade and Commerce

The importance of Trade is established by the presence of Granaries, seals, a uniform script, and regulated weights and measures.
They engaged in inter-regional as well as foreign trade. Sumerian texts refer to trade relations with Meluha i.e. ancient name given to Indus region & mentions two intermediate trading stations-Dilmun (Bahrain) & Makan (Makran coast).
Used boats and bullock-carts for transportation.
No metallic money in circulation and trade was conducted by means of barter.
Exports: Agricultural products, cotton goods, terracotta figurines, beads from Chanhudaro, conchshell from Lothal, ivory products, copper, etc.
Import: Gold, Silver, Copper, Tin, Jade, Steatite

Harappan Imports sources:

Gold: Afghanistan, Iran, Kolar (South India);
Copper: Khetri (Rajasthan), Balochistan;
Tin: Afghanistan, Iran;
Lapis lazuli: Afghanistan;
Jade: Pamir;
Turquoise: Khorasan;
Steatite: Tapi Chahya (Iran);
Bitumen: Balochistan, Mesopotamia;
Lead: South India.

6. Social Organization

Hierarchy in urban habitation. Merchants and priests were an important class of this period.
Harappans were fashion conscious. Different hairstyles and wearing a beard were popular.
The use of cosmetics was common (Cinnabar, lipstick and collyrium)
Necklaces, filets, armlets and finger rings were worn by both men and women but bangles, girdles, anklets, ear-rings were worn by women only.
Beads were made from gold, copper, bronze, cornelian, quartz, steatite, lapis lazuli etc. – naturalistic animal models as pin-heads and beads.

7. Polity

Central authority may have contributed to uniform culture.
No clear idea of an organized force or standing army.
Priests did not rule in Harappa as they did in the cities of lower Mesopotamia but were possibly ruled by a class of merchants.

8. Religious Practices

Seal: Male deity Pashupati Mahadeva (proto-siva),three-horned heads, and is represented in the sitting posture of a yogi, surrounded by an Elephant, Tiger, Rhinoceros, and Buffalo, and two deer at his feet.
Harrapan was a predominantly secular civilization.
Prevalence of the Phallus (Lingam) and Yoni, two deer was on Pashupati Seal.
Chief female deity was mother Goddess. They worshiped both male and female deities.
The people of the Indus region also worshiped trees(pipal), fire and animals (unicorn, humped bull etc).
Harappans believed in ghosts and evil forces. They used amulets against them.
Burials: At burials in Harappan sites the dead were generally laid in pits. Some graves contain pottery and ornaments, perhaps indicating a belief that these could be used in the afterlife. Jewelry has been found in burials of both men and women.

9. Script

Oldest script in Indian subcontinent.
Pictographic script also found, yet to be deciphered.
Writing was Boustrophedon – writing from right to left in one line & then left to right in the next line.

10. Pottery

Plain pottery is more common than painted ware and is generally of red clay, and is uniformly sturdy and well baked.
The painted pottery is also known as Red and Black Pottery as it used red color to paint the background and glossy black paint was used to draw designs and figures on the red background.
Trees, birds, animal figures and geometrical patterns were the recurring themes of the paintings.
Most of the pottery is wheel-made. This implies they were well aware of the wheel.
Rare polychrome pottery has also been found (geometric patterns in red, black, green, rarely white and yellow).

11. Seals and Sealings

Most of the seals are square shaped (2 × 2 square inches) made mostly from Steatite.
Seals had an animal (except cow and horse) or human figure on one side and an inscription on the opposite side or inscriptions on both the sides.
Seals were primarily used for commercial purposes,as an amulet, as a form of identification, for educational purposes as well.
Seals with symbols similar to Swastika design have also been found.
The round Persian Gulf seal found in Bahrain sometimes carries Harappan motifs.
Interestingly, local Dilmun weights followed the Harappan standard.

12. Art

Bronze Casting:

Practiced on a wide scale using the lost wax or Cire Perdue technique.
They mainly consist of human and animal figures. Example: Dancing Girl. She stands in a Tribhanga dancing posture.

Stone Statues:

Bearded man: found in Mohenjo-Daro and made of Steatite, interpreted as a priest.

Red sandstone:

Figure of a male torso is found in Harappa and made of Red sandstone.

Terracotta Figures:

Found are less in number and crude in shape and form. Examples: Mother Goddess, mask of horned deity, toys, etc.

Weights and Measures:

Cubical weights in graduated sizes. These weights conform to the standard Harappan binary weight system that was used in all of the settlements.

DECLINE

After 2000 BC Indus Valley Civilization declined & gradually faded away. Causes of the decline of this civilization have not been firmly established.
Possible reasons – declined soil fertility, depression in land, Aryans invasion, decline of trade, Floods, Earthquake etc.
Most acceptable reason is ecological imbalance.

Bihar Special

Civilization have not been found in Bihar. Nevertheless, some remains of the Chalcolithic period have been obtained from Bihar in the form of pottery.

The history of the first developed civilization of the Indian subcontinent i.e. the Indus Valley Civilization is found in the Chalcolithic Age. The history of the Indus Civilization appears in several phases, but its most developed phase lasted from 2500 to 1500 BC. It extended to Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. No remains of the Indus Valley Civilization have been found in Bihar. Still, Chalcolithic remains are found in Sonpur and Taradih (Gaya), Chirand (Saran), Chechar (Vaishali), Maner (Patna) and Senuar (Rohtas).
Forms of pottery: Many objects of terracotta i.e. baked clay have been obtained from the cities of Indus civilization. Along with this, a new series of archaeological evidence begins, whose developed phase is presented in the form of Colored Pottery or Earthenware. There are three forms of such pottery which have been gradually developed:
After 9th century BC: Red & Black Ware (Red and black colored pottery)
From 1200 BC – 600 BC: Painted Gray Ware
700 BC – 200 BC: Northern Black Polished Ware found in Northern India
The remains of the above mentioned pottery have been found from different places in Bihar. evidences of human living are available in Bihar from the very beginning of human life.

QUESTIONS

1. Human Society is unique because it depends mainly on–

(a) Culture (b) Economy

Ans. (b) Economy

Human Society mainly depends on economy. As economy changes, human society changes accordingly.

2. Which of the following is related to Harappa civilization?

(a) Sumerian civilization (b) Indus Valley Civilization

Ans. (b) Indus Valley Civilization

Harappa is an archaeological site related to Indus Valley Civilization. Since the first archaeological evidence of this civilization was obtained from Harappa, Indus Valley Civilization is also known as Harappa Civilization. Along with ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, it was one of the three ancient civilizations of the world.

3. Indus Civilization existed in

(a) Prehistoric age (b) Proto-historic age

Ans. (b) Proto-historic age

Historical period is determined with respect to the available written literature. The period before which knowledge of the art of writing was not available is called early historical age. Indus Civilization is Proto historical civilization although the writing was known during this period, but it is still to be deciphered.

4. Indus Valley civilization was Non-Aryan because –

(a) It was an Urban Civilization (b) It has its own script

Ans. (a) It was an Urban Civilization

Indus Valley Civilization was an earliest known urban civilization of Indian subcontinent whereas Aryan Civilization was rural civilization.

5. The important reason to keep Indus-Valley civilization before Aryan civilization is –

(a) Script (b) Town Planning

Ans. (d) Potteries

The knowledge of script and town planning of Indus Valley Civilization was more developed than that of Pre-Aryans. Different archaeological pieces of evidence of pottery have been found in the early settlements of Mehrgarh from the Indus Valley Civilization. Pottery found during excavations proves that Indus Valley Civilization existed before Aryan Civilization. The red potteries painted with black figures were the speciality of Harappan Civilization, whereas the grey painted potteries were used by Aryans.

6. The Indus Valley culture was different from the Vedic Civilization because

(a) It had the amenities of developed city life (b) It has a pictographic script

Ans. (d) All of the above

The culture of the Indus Valley Civilization was different from the Vedic culture in many ways. The Indus Valley Civilization was urban while the Vedic culture was rural. The script of Indus Valley Civilization was of depictive expressions. The people of Indus Valley Civilization did not know the use of iron, whereas the people of Vedic Civilization used iron weapons extensively.

7. The source of knowledge about Harappan culture is:

(a) Rock edicts (b) Writing in terracotta seals

Ans. (c) Archaeological excavations

The first artefact uncovered in Harappa was a unique stone seal carved with a unicorn and an inscription. Similar seals with different animal symbols and writings have been found throughout the region. Although the writing has not yet been deciphered, evidence found during the early archaeological excavations is the major source to know about the Harappan culture.

8. Which of the following throw light on Harappan culture?

(a) Inscription (b) Archaeological excavations

Ans. (b) Archaeological excavations

9. The main source of knowledge about the inhabitants of Indus valley civilizations is the discovery of :

(a) Seals (b) Utensils, Jewellery, weapons, tools

Ans. (a) Seals

The site of Indus Valley Civilization was excavated (started) in year 1921 and objects such as tools, weapons, ornaments of archaeological or historical interest were found there but the main source to know about this civilization is seals. Therewere more than 3000 seals found.

10. Which of the following match is not correct regarding the origin of Harappan civilization?

(a) M. Rafi que Mughal – Harappan civilization was inspired by Mesopotamian civilization

(b) E.J.H. Mackay – Migration of people from Sumer

(d) Amalandanda Ghosh – Pre-Harappan culture matured to make Harrapan civilization

Ans. (a)M. Rafi que Mughal – Harappan civilization was inspired by Mesopotamian civilization

origin of the Harappan civilization, many scholars have presented diff erent views. E.J.H. Mackay has considered that the origin of the Harappan civilization was due to the the migration of people from Sumer (Mesopotamia), while historian D.H. Gordon and Mortimer Wheeler considered that the Harappan civilization was the result of migration of idea of civilization from Western Asia. In this context, Amalananda Ghosh considered that pre-Harappan culture matured into Harappan civilization. M.F. Rafi que Mughal consider that the development of Harappan civilization occurred in the region of Ravi river at Harappa. He refutes the old belief that Harappan civilization was inspired by Mesopotamian civilization.

11. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

List-I List-II

A. Harappa 1. N.G. Majumdar (1936-37)

B. Hastinapur 2. John Marshall (1913-34)

C. Takshashila 3. Daya Ram Sahni (1923-24 & 1924-25)

D. Kaushambi 4. B.B. Lal (1950-52)

Codes :

A B C D

(a) 4 2 1 3 (b) 1 3 4 2

Ans. (c) 3 4 2 1

Harappa :- Daya Ram Sahni (1923-24 & 1924-25)

Hastinapur :- B.B. Lal (1950-52)

Takshashila :- John Marshall (1913-34)

Kaushambi :- N.G. Majumdar (1936-37)

12. The earliest evidence of silver in India is found in the-

(a) Harappan culture (b) Chalcolithic cultures of western India

Ans. (a) Harappan culture

Harappans were known to silver. The evidence of its proper use has been found from Mohan Jodaro and Harappa. These people used to get silver from mines of Zawar and Ajmer in Rajasthan.

13. Which colour was commonly used in the Harappan Pottery?

(a) Red (b) Blue-grey

Ans. (a) Red

The Harappan pottery is bright or dark red and uniformly sturdy and well baked. It consists of wheel-made wares, both plain and painted. The plain ware is usually of red clay with or without a fine red slip. The painted pottery was of red and black colours. Several methods were used by people for the decoration of pottery. Polychrome pottery was rare and mainly comprised small vases decorated with geometric patterns, mostly in red, black and green and less frequently inwhite and yellow. The colour- scheme adopted for painting was light black, chocolate or light red over buff or greenish buff background.

14. The beginning of idol worship is to be considered in –

(a) Pre-Aryan (b) later Vedic period

Ans. (a) Pre-Aryan

The pre-Aryan period is considered as the beginning of idol worship. Idol worship was prevalent in Indus Civilization and it is evident from the coins discovered from Mohenjodaro having the seal of God. They probably worshipped Mother Goddess in addition to male and female deities.

15. Which one of the following animals was not represented on the seals and terracotta art of the Harappan culture?

(a) Cow (b) Elephant

Ans. (a) Cow

The figures of elephant, rhinoceros, tiger, deer, sheep, etc. are depicted on the seals and terracotta arts of Harappan culture. But the cow was not depicted on the seals and terracotta art of the Harappan cultures.

16. Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?

(a) Chanhudaro (b) Kotdiji

Ans. (c) Sohgaura

Sohgaura is a village located on the bank of Rapti river in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh. A copper plate inscription of Mauryan period has been found here which gives us information about the storehouses present here. Chanhudaro, Kot Diji and Desalpur are Harrapan sites. Chanhudaro and Kot Diji are present in the current Sindh province of Pakistan whereas Desalpur is located in the Kutchh region of Gujarat.

17. Match List- I (Ancient site) with List- II (Archaeological finding) and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists :

List- I (Ancient site) List- II (Archaeological finding)

Lothal 1. Ploughed field

B. Kalibangan 2. Dockyard

C. Dholavira 3. Terracotta replica of a Plough

D. Banawali 4. An inscription comprising ten large-sized signs of the Harappan script

Code :

A B C D

(a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 2 1 4 3

Ans. (b) 2 1 4 3

The archaeological remains of the Harappan port-town of Lothal are located along the Bhogava River, a tributary of Sabarmati, in the Gulf of Cambay. Kalibangan town is located on the bank of Ghaggar River (Saraswati River) in Hanumangarh district, Rajasthan. Kalibangan has given the evidence of the earliest ploughed agricultural fi eld ever revealed through excavation. An inscription comprising ten large-sized signs of the Harappan scripts were found from Dholavira of Harappan script. Banawali is located in Fatehabad district of Haryana from where a terracotta replica of a plough was found.

18. A ploughed field was discovered at –

(a) Mohenjodaro (b) Kalibangan

Ans. (b) Kalibangan

19. In which of the following Harappan cities, furrows of ploughed fields have been found?

(a) Kalibangan (b) Dholavira

Ans :- (a) Kalibangan

20. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below :

List-I List-II

A. Harappa 1. Cemetry R-37

B. Lothal 2. Dockyard

C. Kalibangan 3. Dancing Girl Statue

D. Mohenjo-Daro 4. Furrowed land

Codes :

A B C D

(a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 2 1 4 3

Ans. (d) 1 2 4 3

Harappa :- Cemetry R-37

Lothal :- Dockyard

Kalibangan :- Furrowed land

Mohenjo-Daro :- Dancing Girl Statue

21. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists :

List-I List-II

A. Harappa 1. Godavari

B. Hastinapur 2. Ravi

C. Nagarjuna Konda 3. Ganga

D. Paithan 4. Krishna

Code :

A B C D

(a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 2 3 4 1

Ans. (b) 2 3 4 1

Harappa :- Ravi river

Hastinapur :- Ganga river

Nagarjuna Konda :- Krishna river

Paithan :- Godavari river

22. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the code given below :

List – I (Harappan Settlement) List – II (River on which located )

A. Harappa 1. Bhogava

B. Kalibangan 2. Ghaggar

C. Lothal 3. Ravi

D. Ropar 4. Sutlej

Code :

A B C D

(a) 3 2 1 4 (b) 3 4 1 2

Ans. (a) 3 2 1 4

Harappa – Ravi

Kalibangan – Ghaggar

Lothal – Bhogava

Ropar – Sutlej

23. Harappa was situated on the bank of river

(a) Beas (b) Sutlej

Ans. (c) Ravi

24. The Great Bath was found from the Indus Valley civilization at –

(a) Mohenjodaro (b) Harappa

Ans. (a) Mohenjodaro

The Great Bath is one of the well-known structures among the ruins of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization at Mohenjo-daro in Sindh, Pakistan. The foundation of Great Bath, measures 55 metres North-South and 33 metres East-West. In the Middle of Great Bath the pond measures 11.8 metres x 7.04 metres and has a maximum depth of 2.4 metres.

25. The ‘Great Bath’ was found at the archaeological site of

(a) Ropar (b) Harappa

Ans. (c) Mohenjodaro

26. From which archaeological site of Indus Valley Civilization, the fi gures or models of boat are found?

(a) Harappa and Kotdiji (b) Kalibangan and Ropar

Ans :- (d) Mohenjodaro and Lothal

Clay model boats have been found from Lothal’s excavation. From Mohenjodaro seals having model of boat were discovered during excavation.

27. Which of the following statements about the Indus civilization is not true?

(a) Accurate drainage system in cities (b) Trade and commerce were in an advanced stage.

Ans. (d) People knew about iron

The Indus Valley Civilization was a Bronze Age Civilization. People of this Age were not familiar with iron. The drainage system was advanced and covered with slabs. The trade and commerce were in an advanced stage. The pieces of evidence of both internal and external trade have been found. Many pieces of evidence of worshiping of Mother Goddess from Indus Valley have been found.

28. Based on findings of excavation of Harappan Civilization, what are not true?

(i) For all kinds of constructions, same size of bricks were used.

(ii) Mostly all the houses were single storey.

(iii)Main roads were on average ten meters in width.

(a) (i) and (ii) (b) (ii) and (iii)

Ans. (a) (i) and (ii)

In Indus Valley civilisation both baked and raw bricks were used. Generally the dimentional ratio of burned bricks received from all the Indus town was 4 : 2 : 1. However ornamental bricks from Kalibangan and curved bricks from Chahundaro have been found. Hence statement (i) is wrong. Most of the houses built in the Indus Valley civilisation were built with one storey only, but some houses were also built with two stories as evidence of stairs have been found from some houses. Hence statement (ii) is wrong. The width of roads in Harappan cities was generally 10 meters. Hence statement (iii) is right.

29. Indus valley civilization is known for

1. For its town planning 2. For Mohenjodaro and Harappa

3. For their agricultural work 4. For its industrialization

Select the correct answer from the codes given below.

Code :

(a) 1 and 2 (b) 1, 2 and 3

Ans. (d) All of the above

Town planning was the unique feature of the Indus Valley Civilization. The cities and towns were well planned. Harappa and Mohanjodaro were two major cities of Indus Valley Civilization. Since the Harrapa site was discovered fi rst, that is why it is known as Harrapan Civilization. Kalibangan in Rajasthan has given the fi rst evidence of the ploughed agricultural field and evidence of business has been found from Lothal. Thus, all four statements are correct.

30. Which of the following is not correctly matched –

(a) Alamgirpur – Uttar Pradesh (b) Lothal – Gujarat

Ans. (c) Kalibangan – Haryana

Kalibangan is located in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan. It was discovered by Luigo Pio Tessitory, an Italian Indologist and was excavated by A. Ghosh in 1950-52 as a Harappan site. The excavations revealed that the western mound was a fortified enclosure with rectangular salients and towns.

31. Which of the following centres related to Indus Valley are situated in Uttar Pradesh?

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

(i) Kalibanga (ii) Lothal

(iii)Alamgirpur (iv)Hulas

Codes :

(a) I, II, III, IV (b) I, II

Ans. (d) III, IV

Kalibanga is in Rajasthan, Lothal is situated in Gujarat. Alamgirpur is situated in Meerut, U.P. and Hulas is situated in Saharanpur, U.P. hence option (d) is correct option.

32. Which one of the following Harappan sites is in Gujarat?

(a) Lothal (b) Dabarkot

Ans. (a) Lothal

33. For the Harrapan Cultural sites and its position, which of the following is not correctly matched ?

(a) Alamgirpur – Uttar Pradesh (b) Banawali – Haryana

Ans. (d) Rakhigarhi – Rajasthan

Rakhigarhi village is situated in Hisar district of Haryana along the bank of Ghaggar-Hakra river.

34. Eastern boundary of the Harappa culture is indicated by which of the following?

(a) Manda (b) Harappa

Ans. (c) Alamgirpur

Eastern boundary of the Harappa culture is indicated by Alamgirpur (Meerut, Uttar Pradesh), Western Boundary is indicated by Sutkagendor (Baluchistan, Pakistan), Northern boundary by Manda (Jammu and Kashmir) and southern boundary by Daimabad (Maharashtra).

35. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the code given below :

List – I (Harappan Site) List – II (Location)

A. Manda 1. Rajasthan

B. Daimabad 2. Haryana

C. Kalibangan 3. Jammu-Kashmir

D. Rakhigarhi 4. Maharashtra

Code :

A B C D

(a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 2 3 4 1

Ans. (c) 3 4 1 2

Manda – Jammu-Kashmir

Daimabad – Maharashtra

Kalibangan – Rajasthan

Rakhigarhi – Haryana

36. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the code given below the lists.

List–I (Harappan Site) List-II (UT/State of India)

A. Balu 1. Uttar Pradesh

B. Manda 2. Jammu and Kashmir

C. Padri 3. Haryana

D. Hulas 4. Gujarat

Code :

A B C D

3 2 1 4 (b) 2 3 4 1

Ans. (d) 3 2 4 1

Balu – Haryana

Manda – Jammu and Kashmir

Padri – Gujarat

Hulas – Uttar Pradesh

37. Which of the following sites of Harappan culture are located in Sindh?

1. Harappa 2. Mohenjodaro

3. Chanhudaro 4. Surkotada

Indicate the correct answer from the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3

Ans. (b) 2 and 3

Among the above options, Harappa is located in Punjab (Pakistan), Mohenjodaro and Chanhudaro both are located in Sindh province in Pakistan and Surkotada is located in Gujarat.

38. Mohenjodaro is situated in which of the following?

(a) Gujarat state of India (b) Punjab state of India

Ans. (c) Sindh Province in Pakistan

39. The excavation at Chanhudaro was directed by –

(a) J. H. Mackay (b) Sir John Marshall

Ans. (a) J. H. Mackay

The ruined township of Chanhudaro situated near about 130 km south of Mohenjodaro was discovered by N.G. Majumdar in 1931 and excavated on a large scale by E.J. H. Mackay in 1935-36. Mackay found bead making factory and furnace here. Some phase cut bricks were found at Chanhudaro.

40. Which site of Indus Valley is now in Pakistan?

(a) Kalibangan (b) Harappa

Ans. (b) Harappa

Harappa is an archaeological site in Montgomery district of Punjab province (now in Sahiwal district of Pakistan). It is located on the bank of the Ravi river. Kalibangan is located in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan. Lothal is in Gujarat and Alamgirpur is located in Uttar Pradesh.

41. Rangpur, where the contemporary of Harappan civilization was found, is in –

(a) Punjab (b) Eastern Uttar Pradesh

Ans. (c) Saurashtra

Rangpur is located in Saurashtra region of western India on the coast of Arabian sea in Gujarat state. On the basis of large vegetative remains, it can be said that these people used to cultivate Rice, Bajra and Sorghum.

42. Dadheri is a late Harappan site of –

(a) Jammu (b) Punjab

Ans. (b) Punjab

Dadheri (Kotla Dadheri) was a prehistoric excavation site of Govindgarh, district Fatehgarh Sahib (Punjab). Dadheri is known for its painted grey ware culture which is supposed to be associated with the arrival of the Aryans.

43. Which site of Indus Valley Civilization is located in India?

(a) Harappa (b) Mohenjodaro

Ans. (c) Lothal

Lothal is situated near the village of Saragwala in the Dholka Taluka in Ahmedabad district of Gujarat. It is situated on the bank of Bhogava river. It was discovered by S.R. Rao in 1954. Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro are situated in Pakistan.

44. The Harappan city represented by the archaeological site of Lothal was situated on the river –

(a) Narmada (b) Mahi

Ans. (c) Bhogva

45. Harappan civilization, Lothal, is located in–

(a) Gujarat (b) Punjab

Ans. (a) Gujarat

46. The port city of Indus Valley Civilization was –

(a) Harappa (b) Kalibangan

Ans. (c) Lothal

Lothal is the only place of Indus Valley Civilization from where the pieces of evidence of ports have been found, which is located in the east of the city.

47. Which of the following is a Harappan port?

(a) Alexandria (b) Lothal

Ans. (b) Lothal

48. What is the most significant feature of the Indus Valley Civilization?

(a) Burnt brick buildings

(b) First true arches

(d) Art and architecture

(e) None of the above/ More than one of the above

Ans (e) None of the above/ More than one of the above

The use of burnt bricks in the construction of buildings was one of the main features of the Indus Valley Civilization. Burnt bricks were used in abundance in Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. In Lothal, burnt bricks were used in the construction of drainage. Well planned architecture, advanced trade and commerce were other main feature of this civilisation.

49. At which of the following Indus Valley sites was a terracotta replica relating to exploration of a plough discovered?

(a) Dholavira (b) Kalibangan

Ans. (b Kalibangan & d Banawali)

According to the Archaeological Survey of India, Terracotta plough along with ploughed field have been found from the early phase of the Kalibangan site (Rajasthan). Apart from this, terracotta plough has also been recovered from the Indus site named Banawali located in Fatehabad district of Haryana.

50. Which of the following is not an Indus Valley Civilization site?

(a) Kalibangan (b) Ropar

Ans. (c) Patliputra

Kalibangan, Ropar, and Lothal are related to Indus Valley Civilization but Pataliputra adjacent to modern-day Patna was not associated with Indus Valley civilization..

51. The largest site of Harappa in India is –

(a) Alamgirpur (b) Kalibangan

Ans. (d) Rakhigarhi

The largest site of Indus Valley civilization in India is Rakhigarhi (Hisar district of Haryana).

52. Indus Valley Civilization, which was placed on the banks of the river, they were?

1. Sindhu 2. Chenab

3. Jhelum 4. Ganga

Choose the correct answer from the code given below-

Code :

(a) 1 and 2 (b) 1, 2 and 3

Ans. (b) 1, 2 and 3

Geographically Indus Valley Civilization was spread from Jhelum-river to Hindon river, a tributary of Yamuna river in South (Alamgirpur). It consisted of rivers like Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej and Jhelum, but Ganga river did not belong to this.

53. The people of Indus valley believed in –

(a) Spirit and Brahma (b) Ritual

Ans. (e) All of the above

Undeciphered script of Indus civilization has attracted speculations and hypothesis. The people of Indus civilization probably worshipped Mother Goddess, Lord Shiva. They may have performed Yagya (fire pit found in Rajasthan and Gujarat sites). Burial rituals indicates belief in Atma or spirit, evidence of human sacrifice were also found in Mohenjodaro.

54. The Indus valley people worshipped –

(a) Shiva (b) Indra and Varun

Ans. (a) Shiva

Marshall identified the figure which he found during excavation as an early form of the Hindu God Shiva (or Rudra) or Pashupati (lord of animals) from the excavation of Harappa. The Pashupati seal in which the three faced male God is shown sitting in a yogic posture, surrounded by a rhino and a buff alo on the right side, an elephant and a tiger on the left side, make the historian conclude that the people of thosedays worshipped Lord Shiva or cylindrical stones show that the people worshipped Lingam, the symbol of Lord Shiva.

55. Who was the director of the archaeological excavation that led to the discovery of Harappa and Mohenjodaro?

(a) Lord Macaulay (b) Sir John Marshall

Ans. (b) Sir John Marshall

Sir John Marshall was the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India from 1902 to 1928. He appointed Mr. Dayaram Sahni, who carried out excavations in the Sahiwal district of Punjab Province (Pakistan) on the left bank of Ravi river. Mr. Sahni’s excavation lead to findings of ruins of Harappa in 1921. Mr. Rakhal Das Banerjee dug out the ruins of the city of Mohenjodaro (Larkana district of Sindh Province, Pakistan) in 1922.

56. Two Indians who were associated with discovery of Indus Valley Civilization, are :

(a) Rakhal Das Banerjee and Dayaram Sahni (b) John Marshall and Ishwari Prasad

Ans. (a) Rakhal Das Banerjee and Dayaram Sahni

57. Which one of the following is not correctly matched ?

(a) Harappa – Daya Ram Sahni (b) Lothal – S.R. Rao

Ans. (d) Dholavira – B.K. Thapar

Harappa was excavated by Daya Ram Sahni, Lothal was by S.R. Rao and Surkotada by J.P. Joshi. But Dholavira was not excavated by B.K. Thapar. Instead, it was excavated by R.S. Bisht.

58. The first archaeologist who excavated Harappa, but could not recognize its significance, was :

(a) A. Cunningham (b) Sir John Marshall

Ans. (a) A. Cunningham

Alexander Cunningham, who headed the Archaeological Survey of India, visited this site in 1853 A.D. and 1856 A.D. Cunningham made a few small excavations at the site and reported some discoveries of ancient pottery, stone, tools and a stone seal but did not recognize its significance.

59. Who among the following was not associated with the excavation of Harappa and Mohenjodaro?

(a) R. D. Banerjee (b) K.N. Dikshit

Ans. (d) V.A. Smith

In 1921, Daya Ram Sahni excavated Harappa. From 1926-27 to 1933-34, M.S. Vats was associated with the excavation of Harappa. Mohenjodaro excavation was done in 1922 by Rakhal Das Banerjee. In addition to him, some other scholars like K.N. Dixit, Ernest Mackay, Aurel Stein, A. Ghosh, J.P. Joshi also contributed in the discovery of this civilization. Hence, it is clear that V.A. Smith was not associated with the discovery of Harappan Civilization rather was a Irish Indologist and historian.

60. Who among the following discovered ‘Surkotda’, a site of Harappan culture?

(a) B.B. Lal (b) S.R. Rao

Ans. (d) Jagatpati Joshi

Surkotda is situated in Kutch district of Gujarat. It was discovered and excavated by Jagapati Joshi.

61. From which one of the following places, remains of wells have been found in houses belonging to the developed stage of the Indus Valley Civilization?

(a) Harappa (b) Kalibangan

Ans. (e) all of the above

Remains of Well and Bathroom have been found in approximately every major city of Indus Civilization.

62. What is the correct chronological order in which the following appeared in India ?

1. Gold coins 2. Punch- marked silver coins

3. Iron plough 4. Urban culture

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 3, 4, 1, 2 (b) 3, 4, 2, 1

Ans. (d) 4, 3, 2, 1

Harappan Civilization, the most ancient civilization of India is famous for its town planning. Indus Valley Civilization was a Bronze Age Civilization. The knowledge of iron was known much later after bronze during, the post Vedic period around 1000 B.C. The first punch-marked coin came into existence in India during 7th-6th century B.C. Gold coins were introduced by Indo-Greek rulers during second century B.C.

63. The first metal used by man was :

(a) Gold (b) Silver

Ans. (c) Copper

Copper was the metal which was first used by humans, though there is variation in the period around the globe as far as the use of copper is concerned.

64. An ivory scale in Harappan context was found at –

(a) Kalibangan (b) Lothal

Ans. (b) Lothal

An ivory scale in the Harappan context was found at Lothal. Lothal is a place associated with Indus Valley Civilization currently in Gujarat.

65. Which metal has so far not been discovered in Harappan sites?

(a) Copper (b) Gold

Ans. (d) Iron

Harappan civilization is also known as the Bronze Age Civilization. From here pieces of evidence of gold, silver, copper and brass have been found, except iron. In fact, the people of Harappa were not aware of iron. In India, the beginning of Iron Age is considered to be from the later Vedic period (app. 1000 B.C.).

66. Which one among the following sites is located in the valley of Ghaggar and its associated rivers?

(a) Alamgirpur (b) Lothal

Ans. (d) Banawali

Banawali is an archaeological site belonging to Indus Valley Civilization period in Fatehabad district, Haryana. Banawali is located in the valley of Ghaggar and its tributaries.

67. Consider the following statements and select the correct answer from the given code :

1. Mohenjodaro, Harappa, Ropar and Kalibangan are the main sites of Indus valley civilization.

2. People of Harappa developed the road, proper housing and drainage system.

3. People of Harappa were unknown about the use of metals.

Code :

(a) 1 and 2 are correct (b) 1 and 3 are correct

Ans. (a) 1 and 2 are correct

Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Ropar, Lothal and Kalibangan are the main sites of Indus Valley Civilization. In this civilization, most of the cities were designed in a grid pattern. A proper drainage system was aligned along the roads, which was covered with big stones and bricks. The forms of art were found from various sites of this civilization including seals, pottery, gold ornaments and necklaces.

68. Assertion (A) : Mohenjodaro and Harappa cities are dead now.

Reason (R) : They were discovered during excavations. In the context of the above, which one of the following is correct?

Code :

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans. (b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Mohenjodaro (now in Pakistan) is in the Larkana district of Sindh province on the right bank of the Indus river. Harappa is located in the Sahiwal district of Punjab province of Pakistan. Rakhaldas Banerjee and Dayaram Sahni were the two archaeologists who excavated the two major cities of Indus Valley Civilization. At present, these towns are extinct.

69. From where the evidence of rock-cut architecture was found, with reference to Harappa civilization?

(a) Kalibangan (b) Dholavira

Ans. (b) Dholavira

Dholavira, which is the second largest site of Harappan Civilization in India (after Rakhigarhi) is located in Rann of Kutch (Gujarat). R.S. Bisht and his colleagues excavated this site in 1992. Dholavira is one of the most prominent archaeological sites of Harappa which gives us important information about great bath and rock-cut reservoir which was 7 metres deep and 79 metres long.

70. Dholavira is located in the State of –

(a) Gujarat (b) Haryana

Ans. (a) Gujarat

71. Which Harappan city is divided into three parts?

(a) Lothal (b) Kalibangan

Ans. (c) Dholavira

Dholavira is a Harappan site located in Kutch district of Gujarat. The town was built in a rectangular shape. It was divided into three parts- citadel, middle town and lower town.

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

(a) Dholavira (b) Kalibangan

Ans (a) Dholavira

Dholavira in Gujarat is well known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs.

73. A highly advanced water management system of Harappan times has been unearthed at–

(a) Alamgirpur (b) Dholavira

Ans. (b) Dholavira

From Dholavira, a huge Rock-cut reservoir is found, whose size is about 80.4 m × 12 m and 7.5 meters deep, having a huge capacity to store water. People of Dholavira were familiar with the advanced water management system. From the earliest evidence, people used to store water in this reservoir by building dams.

74. Which of the following sites has yielded evidence of a double burial?

(a) Kuntasi (b) Dholavira

Ans. (C Lothal & D Kalibangan)

The evidence of three double burial has been found from Lothal. It was an important port of the Harrapan culture. The evidence of double burial also has been found from Kalibangan and Rakhigarhi.

75. Recently, from excavations of Harappan site Sonauli what was found ?

(a) Human burials (b) Animal burials

Ans. (a) Human burials

Sinauli is an archaeological site located in Baraut Tehsil, Baghpat district, Uttar Pradesh, where 125 graves belonging to Indus Valley Civilization were found. These graves are oriented in a North-South direction and most are identified as primary human burials. Some of the burials are found with animal bones and gold, copper and bangles.

76. In which State of India is the Harappan Civilization site Mandi situated?

(a) Gujarat (b) Haryana

Ans. (d) Uttar Pradesh

Mandi is a village in the Muzaff arrnagar district of Uttar Pradesh. It became famous after discovery and loot of ancient treasure trove by villagers in June 2000. As per ASI, the jewelry found belonged to the late Harappan period.

77. For clothing, cotton cultivation was first introduced in–

(a) Egypt (b) Mesopotamia

Ans. (d) India

Cotton was first cultivated in India for clothing. In 1922, Rakhal Das Banerjee took interest in the site of MohenjoDaro for excavation. Evidence of the earliest cotton cultivation was found by excavation in India. From India, it reached Greece where it was called as “Sindon”. The cotton cultivation in India started in 3000 B.C. while it was cultivated in Egypt in 2500 B.C.

78. Which of the following characterizes/characterize the people of Indus Civilization?

1. They possessed great places and temples.

2. They worshiped, both male and female deities.

3. They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare.

Select the correct answer using the code given below

(a) 1 and 2 (b) Only 2

Ans. (b) Only 2

No temple or place of worship has been found in excavation from Indus Valley Civilization till date. The only religious source from this civilization is statues made of mud and stone and seals which were found here. By this, it is known that female deities, Shiva or Pashupati and animals like snake, elephant were worshiped. Worship of plant and trees, or inanimate stone or other objects in the form of ‘Linga’ or ‘yoni’ symbols were famous during that period.

79. 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?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only

Ans. (c) Both 1 and 2

Indus Valley Civilization is considered to be a secular civilization with no trace of theocratic or organized religion.Cotton textiles were produced during the Harappan period as shown by artefact evidence.

80. One of the following sites from where the famous bull-seal of Indus Valley Civilization was found-

(a) Harappa (b) Chanhudaro

Ans. (d) Mohenjodaro

Mohenjodaro is an archaeological site in the province of Sindh, Pakistan (excavated by R.D. Banerjee in 1922). From this site, various sculptures, seals, pottery, gold and jewellery have been found. But the most famous among them is the humped bull seal.

81. The shape of which tree is found in the seals from the Indus Civilization?

(a) Mango (b) Pipal

Ans. (b) Pipal

Most of the seals discovered from Indus Valley Civilisation were made of steatite. A few of them were also made of terracotta, agate, chert etc. Most of seals were square in shape but few were in cube, circle and cylindrical shape too. Pipal tree is represented number of times on Indus seals depicting that Pipal had important/sacred value to Indus people.

82. Which one of the following animals is not depicted on the Harappan seal ?

(a) Bull (b) Elephant

Ans. (c) Horse

People of Harappa civilization were known to horses, but no pieces of evidence has been found on seals. A great majority of seals found in Indus valley civilization carry short inscriptions with figures of the one-horned animal (most common), the buffalo, the tiger, the rhinoceros, the goat and the elephant.

83. Remains of which animal have not been discovered in the Indus Valley Civilization?

(a) Lion (b) Horse

Ans. (a) Lion

the evidence of cow and elephant have been found and there is some dispute regarding horse, but the latest excavation has revealed the evidence of horse. The evidence of lion from the excavation of Harrapan Civilization has not been mentioned anywhere.

84. Which of the following animals was not known to the people of the Indus Valley Civilization?

(a) Bull (b) Horse

Ans. (d) None of the above

evidence of bull and elephant have been found. Seal of zebu bull have been found. Seals depicting elephant has also been found. There is some dispute regarding horse but latest excavation has revealed the evidence of horse. However Horse did not play any major role during Indus Valley Civilisation. BPSC has accepted (b) as correct answer.

85. According to the report of IIT Kharagpur study group, continuous low rainfall for how many years was the cause of fall of the Indus valley civilization?

(a) 600 years (b) 700 years

(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Ans. (d) 900 years

According to the reports of IIT Kharagpur, the continuous low or negligible rainfall for 900 years was the cause of fall of the Indus Valley Civilisation. In other words, it can be said that continuous drought for 900 years led the fall of Indus Valley Civilisation.

86. A horned deity engraved on a terracotta cake has been recovered from

(a) Banawali (b) Kalibangan

Ans. (b) Kalibangan

From excavations at Kalibangan, a series of ‘fire altars’ on mud-brick platforms were discovered. A triangular terracotta cake found at Kalibangan had a carving of a horned deity on one side and an animal (goat) being dragged by a rope by a human on the other. This shows the way to the emergence of a sacrificial tradition in the entire era.

87. Which of the following civilizations flourished on the bank of River Nile ?

(a) Roman Civilization (b) Indus Valley Civilization

Ans. (d) Egyptian Civilization

Ancient Egyptian Civilization flourished along the banks of the River Nile for almost 3,000 years. Nile River is known as ‘lifeline of Egypt.’ The Nile is a major north-fl owing river in northeastern Africa, generally regarded as the longest river inthe world. Indus Valley Civilization (India) and Mesopotamia (Iraq) are the contemporary civilization.

88. What is the correct North-South sequence of the following civilizations?

(a) Maya – Aztec – Muisca – Inca (b) Maya – Muisca – Inca – Aztec

Ans. (d) Aztec – Maya – Muisca – Inca

The correct sequence of the following civilization from North to South is: Aztec – Maya- Moiscu – Inca.The expansion of Aztec civilization was on the Northern Part of Meso america. Mesoamerica included the Region from central Mexico, Beliz, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Norhtern Costarica. Mayan civilization was spread over the southern part of mesoamerica. Moiscu civilization was distributed in the eastern part of Columbia (South America continent), whereas Inca civilization is spread in the western part of southern America till the north of Quito and Santiago to the South.

89. The first ancient civilization to develop the art of writing in a proper system was?

(a) Indus (b) Egypt

Ans. (c) Sumerian

People of Sumerian Civilization were the first to develop the art of writing in a proper system. Their primary script was very simple and primitive. Cuneiform script of Sumeria is generally known as one of the earliest system of writing.

90. What is the most important feature of the Indus Valley Civilization?

(a) Building made of burnt bricks (b) First real arch

Ans :- (a) Building made of burnt bricks

91. Which of the following Harappan site is in Gujarat?

(a) Lothal (b) Dabarkot

Ans :- (a) Lothal

92. From which of the following Harappan site ‘terracotta’ solution was found?

(a) Dholavira (b) Banawali

Ans :- (b) Banawali

93. In which of the following Harappan cities, traces of plowed fields have been found?

(a) Kalibanga (b) Dholavira

Ans :- (a) Kalibanga

94. Which color was commonly used on pottery in Harappa?

(a) Red (b) Blue-green

Ans :- (a) Red

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