The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, stands as one of the oldest and most fascinating urban cultures in human history. Flourishing between 3300 BCE and 1300 BCE along the banks of the Indus River and its tributaries, this ancient civilization covered a vast geographical area spanning present-day Pakistan, northwest India, and parts of Afghanistan. With remarkable city planning, advanced drainage systems, standardized weights and measures, and a still-undeciphered script, the Harappan people achieved feats that continue to amaze historians and archaeologists alike. This civilization was contemporary to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, yet it possessed unique characteristics that set it apart.
For students preparing for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, state PSCs, and various entrance tests, the Indus Valley Civilization remains one of the most frequently tested topics in Indian history. The following 30 MCQs will help you evaluate your knowledge and prepare effectively.
30 MCQs on Indus Valley Civilization
Q1. The Indus Valley Civilization belongs to which period?
a) Paleolithic Age
b) Mesolithic Age
c) Chalcolithic Age (Bronze Age)
d) Iron Age
Q2. Who discovered the ruins of Harappa in 1921?
a) R.D. Banerji
b) Daya Ram Sahni
c) John Marshall
d) Mortimer Wheeler
Q3. Mohenjo-Daro was discovered in which year?
a) 1920
b) 1921
c) 1922
d) 1924
Q4. Mohenjo-Daro is located in which present-day country?
a) India
b) Afghanistan
c) Pakistan
d) Iran
Q5. The literal meaning of “Mohenjo-Daro” is:
a) City of the Dead
b) Mound of the Dead
c) Land of the Dead
d) Valley of the Dead
Q6. The Great Bath was found at which Harappan site?
a) Harappa
b) Lothal
c) Mohenjo-Daro
d) Kalibangan
Q7. Which Indus Valley site is known as the “Manchester of the Indus Valley Civilization”?
a) Harappa
b) Mohenjo-Daro
c) Lothal
d) Surkotada
Q8. The dockyard of the Indus Valley Civilization was found at:
a) Lothal
b) Harappa
c) Mohenjo-Daro
d) Banawali
Q9. Lothal is situated in which Indian state?
a) Rajasthan
b) Haryana
c) Gujarat
d) Punjab
Q10. The Indus Valley people worshipped:
a) Vishnu
b) Indra
c) Mother Goddess
d) Brahma
Q11. Which animal is most frequently depicted on the Indus Valley seals?
a) Elephant
b) Tiger
c) Unicorn Bull
d) Rhinoceros
Q12. The script of the Indus Valley Civilization is:
a) Brahmi
b) Kharosthi
c) Boustrophedon
d) Still undeciphered
Q13. Evidence of horse has been found at which Harappan site?
a) Lothal
b) Kalibangan
c) Surkotada
d) Banawali
Q14. The largest site of the Indus Valley Civilization in India is:
a) Lothal
b) Kalibangan
c) Rakhigarhi
d) Dholavira
Q15. Which Harappan site shows evidence of ploughed fields?
a) Mohenjo-Daro
b) Kalibangan
c) Lothal
d) Harappa
Q16. The famous “Dancing Girl” bronze statue was found at:
a) Harappa
b) Mohenjo-Daro
c) Lothal
d) Chanhudaro
Q17. Chanhudaro is known for:
a) Bead-making factory
b) Granary
c) Dockyard
d) Stadium
Q18. Which metal was NOT known to the Indus Valley people?
a) Gold
b) Silver
c) Iron
d) Copper
Q19. The Harappan civilization was primarily:
a) Rural
b) Urban
c) Nomadic
d) Tribal
Q20. The drainage system of the Indus Valley Civilization was:
a) Open
b) Closed and underground
c) Non-existent
d) Made of bamboo
Q21. The site of Banawali is located in which Indian state?
a) Gujarat
b) Rajasthan
c) Haryana
d) Punjab
Q22. The “Priest King” sculpture was discovered at:
a) Harappa
b) Mohenjo-Daro
c) Lothal
d) Dholavira
Q23. Which crop was NOT grown by the Indus Valley people?
a) Wheat
b) Barley
c) Rice
d) Sugarcane
Q24. The Indus Valley Civilization declined around:
a) 2500 BCE
b) 2000 BCE
c) 1900 BCE
d) 1500 BCE
Q25. The “Fire Altars” have been found at which site?
a) Mohenjo-Daro
b) Harappa
c) Kalibangan
d) Lothal
Q26. Dholavira is located in which district of Gujarat?
a) Ahmedabad
b) Kutch
c) Surat
d) Rajkot
Q27. The granary of the Indus Valley Civilization was found at:
a) Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa
b) Only Mohenjo-Daro
c) Only Harappa
d) Lothal
Q28. Which of the following was the port city of the Indus Valley Civilization?
a) Harappa
b) Kalibangan
c) Lothal
d) Banawali
Q29. The Indus Valley Civilization was spread across approximately how many sites?
a) 500
b) 1000
c) 1400+
d) 2000
Q30. R.D. Banerji discovered which major Indus Valley site?
a) Harappa
b) Mohenjo-Daro
c) Lothal
d) Kalibangan
Correct Answers
- c) Chalcolithic Age (Bronze Age)
- b) Daya Ram Sahni
- c) 1922
- c) Pakistan
- b) Mound of the Dead
- c) Mohenjo-Daro
- a) Harappa
- a) Lothal
- c) Gujarat
- c) Mother Goddess
- c) Unicorn Bull
- d) Still undeciphered
- c) Surkotada
- c) Rakhigarhi
- b) Kalibangan
- b) Mohenjo-Daro
- a) Bead-making factory
- c) Iron
- b) Urban
- b) Closed and underground
- c) Haryana
- b) Mohenjo-Daro
- d) Sugarcane
- c) 1900 BCE
- c) Kalibangan
- b) Kutch
- a) Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa
- c) Lothal
- c) 1400+
- b) Mohenjo-Daro
Conclusion
The Indus Valley Civilization remains a cornerstone topic in Indian ancient history, appearing frequently in competitive examinations across the country. From the well-planned cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro to the lesser-known sites like Surkotada and Banawali, each location tells a different story about this remarkable civilization.
The 30 MCQs presented above cover the most commonly asked areas, including major sites, discoveries, artifacts, trade practices, and religious beliefs of the Harappan people. Regular practice with such questions will strengthen your hold on this topic and boost your exam performance.
Keep revising the key facts — the discoverers, locations, unique features of each site, and the timeline of the civilization. Bookmark this page for quick revision before your exams, and continue exploring more practice questions to stay ahead in your preparation.