1. What is the other name of the Indus Valley Civilization?
a) Harappan Civilization
b) Egyptian Civilization
c) Mesopotamian Civilization
d) Mauryan Civilization
Answer: a) Harappan Civilization
Explanation: The Indus Valley Civilization is also known as the Harappan Civilization after its first discovered city, Harappa, in modern-day Pakistan.
2. Which of the following was a key feature of the cities in the Indus Valley Civilization?
a) Pyramid-shaped structures
b) Well-planned streets and drainage systems
c) Large palaces
d) Large temples
Answer: b) Well-planned streets and drainage systems
Explanation: The cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, such as Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, had sophisticated urban planning, including grid patterns and drainage systems.
3. What was the primary material used for building in the Indus Valley Civilization?
a) Wood
b) Stone
c) Brick
d) Mud
Answer: c) Brick
Explanation: The people of the Indus Valley Civilization used kiln-fired bricks for construction, which helped their buildings withstand time and the elements.
4. Which of the following is a major site of the Indus Valley Civilization?
a) Karnak
b) Pyramids of Giza
c) Mohenjo-Daro
d) Persepolis
Answer: c) Mohenjo-Daro
Explanation: Mohenjo-Daro, along with Harappa, is one of the most important cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, located in present-day Pakistan.
5. What type of economy did the Indus Valley Civilization have?
a) Agricultural and trade-based economy
b) Industrial economy
c) Slave-based economy
d) Fishing-based economy
Answer: a) Agricultural and trade-based economy
Explanation: The economy of the Indus Valley Civilization was primarily based on agriculture and trade, with the people engaging in farming, animal husbandry, and long-distance trade.
6. What was the primary crop grown by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization?
a) Wheat
b) Rice
c) Barley
d) Cotton
Answer: a) Wheat
Explanation: Wheat was one of the primary crops grown in the fertile land of the Indus Valley, along with barley and other grains.
7. The writing system of the Indus Valley Civilization is known as?
a) Cuneiform
b) Hieroglyphics
c) Indus Script
d) Sanskrit
Answer: c) Indus Script
Explanation: The writing system of the Indus Valley Civilization, known as the Indus Script, remains undeciphered, though many inscriptions have been found on seals and pottery.
8. Which of the following is a notable feature of the Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro cities?
a) Ziggurats
b) Defensive walls
c) Large pyramids
d) Underground drainage systems
Answer: d) Underground drainage systems
Explanation: One of the remarkable features of Indus Valley cities was their advanced drainage systems, which included well-planned drainage channels and bathrooms in every house.
9. The Indus Valley Civilization was primarily located in which modern-day countries?
a) India and Nepal
b) India and Pakistan
c) India and Bangladesh
d) Pakistan and Afghanistan
Answer: b) India and Pakistan
Explanation: The heart of the Indus Valley Civilization was located in present-day India and Pakistan, with major cities situated in both regions.
10. Which of the following was NOT a major city of the Indus Valley Civilization?
a) Harappa
b) Mohenjo-Daro
c) Dholavira
d) Pataliputra
Answer: d) Pataliputra
Explanation: Pataliputra was the capital of the Maurya Empire, not part of the Indus Valley Civilization, which included cities like Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, and Dholavira.
11. What was the primary method of trade in the Indus Valley Civilization?
a) Barter system
b) Currency-based system
c) Exchange of services
d) Trade by sea and river routes
Answer: a) Barter system
Explanation: The people of the Indus Valley Civilization likely used a barter system to exchange goods such as textiles, pottery, and agricultural products.
12. Which animal was notably associated with the Indus Valley Civilization?
a) Horse
b) Elephant
c) Ox
d) Camel
Answer: c) Ox
Explanation: The ox was an important animal in the Indus Valley Civilization, used for plowing fields and in various forms of trade.
13. Which of the following artifacts has been found in large numbers in the Indus Valley Civilization?
a) Pottery
b) Gold jewelry
c) Coins
d) Seals
Answer: d) Seals
Explanation: Seals inscribed with the Indus Script and depicting animals like unicorns have been found in large numbers and are among the most prominent artifacts of the civilization.
14. The Indus Valley Civilization’s decline is most likely attributed to which of the following?
a) Natural disasters
b) Invasion by foreign armies
c) A shift in the river course
d) Political corruption
Answer: c) A shift in the river course
Explanation: The shift in the course of the Indus River, possibly coupled with environmental changes, is believed to have contributed to the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization.
15. What kind of government did the Indus Valley Civilization have?
a) Monarchy
b) Theocracy
c) Oligarchy
d) Unknown
Answer: d) Unknown
Explanation: The exact form of government in the Indus Valley Civilization remains unknown due to the absence of written records and the undeciphered script.
16. Which material did the Indus Valley Civilization use for making beads and jewelry?
a) Gold
b) Ivory
c) Stone and semi-precious stones
d) Silver
Answer: c) Stone and semi-precious stones
Explanation: Beads and jewelry made from stone and semi-precious stones like lapis lazuli were common in the Indus Valley Civilization.
17. Which of the following was NOT a feature of the Indus Valley cities?
a) Citadels
b) Public baths
c) Ziggurats
d) Granaries
Answer: c) Ziggurats
Explanation: Ziggurats are associated with Mesopotamian cultures, not the Indus Valley Civilization, which had citadels, public baths, and granaries.
18. The Indus Valley Civilization’s greatest contribution to urban planning was?
a) The use of roads
b) The introduction of public entertainment
c) The grid system and sanitation
d) The creation of the first legal code
Answer: c) The grid system and sanitation
Explanation: The Indus Valley Civilization is renowned for its advanced urban planning, including the use of a grid system and a complex sanitation network.
19. Which of the following was a major craft of the Indus Valley Civilization?
a) Pottery
b) Metalworking
c) Textile production
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: The Indus Valley people were skilled in pottery, metalworking (particularly copper and bronze), and textile production (especially cotton).
20. Which important artifact was found at the Mohenjo-Daro site?
a) The Rosetta Stone
b) The Dancing Girl Statue
c) The Sphinx
d) The Terracotta Army
Answer: b) The Dancing Girl Statue
Explanation: The Dancing Girl Statue, a bronze figure, was found at Mohenjo-Daro and is considered one of the most iconic representations of Indus Valley art.
21. The Harappa site is located in which modern-day country?
a) India
b) Pakistan
c) Afghanistan
d) Iraq
Answer: b) Pakistan
Explanation: Harappa is located in modern-day Pakistan, where extensive excavations have revealed much about the Indus Valley Civilization.
22. Which river was most important for the development of the Indus Valley Civilization?
a) Nile River
b) Tigris River
c) Indus River
d) Ganges River
Answer: c) Indus River
Explanation: The Indus River played a crucial role in the development of the Indus Valley Civilization, providing water for agriculture and a route for trade.
23. What was the purpose of the Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro?
a) Religious rituals
b) Public meetings
c) Residential purposes
d) None of the above
Answer: a) Religious rituals
Explanation: The Great Bath is believed to have been used for religious rituals or ceremonies, as it was a large public bathing structure found in Mohenjo-Daro.
24. Which of the following was a feature of Indus Valley art?
a) Realistic portraits
b) Depictions of gods and goddesses
c) Animal figurines and seals
d) Wall paintings
Answer: c) Animal figurines and seals
Explanation: Indus Valley art is known for small animal figurines, pottery, and the distinctive seals that often depicted animals like unicorns.
25. The Indus Valley Civilization’s trade networks extended to which regions?
a) Europe
b) Africa
c) Mesopotamia and Central Asia
d) East Asia
Answer: c) Mesopotamia and Central Asia
Explanation: The Indus Valley Civilization had extensive trade networks with regions like Mesopotamia and Central Asia, exchanging goods like textiles and beads.
26. The primary language spoken in the Indus Valley Civilization is?
a) Sanskrit
b) Dravidian
c) Indus Script
d) Unknown
Answer: d) Unknown
Explanation: The language of the Indus Valley Civilization is not known, as the Indus Script remains undeciphered, and no written records have provided clear evidence of its language.
27. Which of the following is a significant agricultural product of the Indus Valley?
a) Rice
b) Maize
c) Cotton
d) Wheat
Answer: c) Cotton
Explanation: The people of the Indus Valley Civilization were among the first to cultivate cotton, which was used to make textiles.
28. What type of religion did the Indus Valley people follow?
a) Polytheistic
b) Monotheistic
c) Atheistic
d) Unknown
Answer: a) Polytheistic
Explanation: The people of the Indus Valley Civilization practiced a polytheistic religion, as evidenced by the many small figurines of deities and animals.
29. Which major discovery was made at the site of Dholavira?
a) A large stepwell
b) A vast city wall
c) A massive temple
d) A drainage system
Answer: b) A vast city wall
Explanation: Dholavira is known for its massive city walls, which are one of the best-preserved features of any Indus Valley site.
30. The decline of the Indus Valley Civilization is believed to have been caused by?
a) Invasion by Aryans
b) Environmental changes
c) Invasion by the Greeks
d) Overpopulation
Answer: b) Environmental changes
Explanation: Environmental factors, such as changes in river courses, droughts, and possibly deforestation, are thought to have contributed to the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization.
These MCQs provide a comprehensive overview of the Indus Valley Civilization, its key features, and important discoveries.
