Indian History and World History

Ancient History

Total Questions: 50

1. Which among the following is a mature-phase Harappan site situated in the state of Rajasthan? [S.S.C. Online CPO S.I. (T-I) 23.11.2020 (Shift-I)]

(a) Nageshwar
(b) Manda
(c) Kalibangan
(d) Chanhudaro

Correct Answer: (c) Kalibangan

Solution:Kalibangan, an ancient Indus valley civilization site, is in northern Rajasthan state, northwestern India. The site contains pre-Harappan and Harappan remains, and the transition between the two cultures can be seen therein.

IVC major sites

2. Which metal did the Harappans get from the present day Rajasthan? [S.S.C. Online MTS (T-I) 27.10.2021 (Shift-II)]

(a) Iron
(b) Aluminium
(c) Copper
(d) Calcium

Correct Answer: (c) Copper

Solution:The people of the Harappan civilization got copper from the area of the present Rajasthan. Tools, weapons and sculptures made of copper have been found among the remains of the excavation at Kalibangan , a Harappan site located in Rajasthan.

3. Which among the following is a Harappan city? [S.S.C. Online MTS (T-I) 20.10.2021 (Shift-III)]

(a) Dholavira
(b) Hampi
(c) Kosala
(d) Lumbini

Correct Answer: (a) Dholavira

Solution:The ancient city of Dholavira, the southern centre of the Harappan Civilization, is situated on the arid island of Khadir in the Gujarat.

Indus Valley civilization is the earliest known urban culture of the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the world’s three earliest civilizations along with Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. This civilization flourished from approximately 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE.

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4. Which of the following harappan sites is located in India? [S.S.C. JE Civil Exam 23.03.2021 (Shift-I)]

(a) Mohenjodaro
(b) Ganweriwala
(c) Shortugai
(d) Daimabad

Correct Answer: (d) Daimabad

Solution:Daimabad is a deserted village and an archaeological site on the left bank of the Pravara River, a tributary of the Godavari River in Shrirampurtaluka in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra in India. This site was discovered by B. P. Bopardikar in 1958.

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5. The local name of Mohenjodaro was— [S.S.C. Online C.P.O.S.I. (T-I) 5.07.2017 (Shift-II)]

(a) Mound of desert
(b) Mound of river
(c) Mound of the Dead
(d) Mound of Life

Correct Answer: (c) Mound of the Dead

Solution:The local name of Mohenjodaro was Mound of Dead. Mohenjo-Daro is a collection of mounds and ruins on the Indus River’s right bank in northern Sindh province, Pakistan.

6. Who among the following begun his excavations at Dholavira in 1990? [S.S.C. Online C.H.S.L. (T-I) 12.08.2021 (Shift-II)]

(a) R.S. Bisht
(b) R.D. Banerji
(c) M.S. Vats
(d) S.R. Rao

Correct Answer: (a) R.S. Bisht

Solution:The site’s excavation between 1990 and 2005 under the supervision of archaeologist Ravindra Singh Bisht uncovered the ancient city, which was a commercial and manufacturing hub for about 1,500 years before its decline and eventual ruin in 1500 BC.

7. Which of the following were NOT a part of a citadel in Harappan architecture? [S.S.C. Online CPO SI (T-I) 10.11.2022 (Shift-II)]

(a) Storehouses for grains
(b) Great Bath for important people
(c) Fire altars for religious ceremonies
(d) Residential buildings for masses

Correct Answer: (d) Residential buildings for masses

Solution:The citadel in Harappan architecture was a raised platform or mound on which important buildings were constructed.

It usually included public buildings such as granaries, a great bath or pool, and fire altars for religious ceremonies.

However, there is no evidence to suggest that residential buildings for the masses were located within the citadel. Instead, residential areas were likely located outside of the citadel.

8. At which of the following sites was the first astronomical observatory of the Harappan Civilization found? [S.S.C. JE Mechanical Exam 23.03.2021 (Shift-I)]

(a) Kalibangan, Rajasthan
(b) Dholavira, Gujarat
(c) Gola Dhoro, Gujarat
(d) Lothal, Gujarat

Correct Answer: (b) Dholavira, Gujarat

Solution:The first astronomical observatory related to the Harappan civilization was found at Dholavira in the Kutch district of Gujarat.

It was discovered in 1967–68 by J.P. Joshi. Scientist’s identified two circular structures used for observational astronomy during the Harappan Civilization.

Dholavira is the larger of the two most remarkable excavations of the Indus Valley Civilization or Harappan culture.

9. The famous ‘dancing-girl’ statue of the Harappan Civilization was made using _______ material. [S.S.C. JE Civil Exam 30.10.2020 (Shift-I)]

(a) Brass
(b) Bronze
(c) Stone
(d) Terracotta

Correct Answer: (b) Bronze

Solution:The "Dancing Girl" is a sculpture made of bronze. It belongs to the Indus Valley Civilization and dates back to circa 2500 BCE. It is 10.5 cm in height, 5 cm in width and 2.5 cm in depth.

It was founded in Mohenjodaro.

Presently, it is on display in the Indus Valley Civilization gallery in the National Museum, New Delhi.

10. The statue of ‘Dancing Girl’ of Indus Valley Civilization was _______ sculpted. [S.S.C. Online Constable GD 19.02.2019 (Shift-II)]

(a) Brass
(b) Bronze
(c) Copper
(d) Iron