Introduction
India’s history is one of the oldest in the world — and at the heart of Ancient Indian history lies the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC). Also known as the Harappan Civilization, it flourished around 2500 BCE to 1900 BCE in what is now Pakistan and northwest India. It was one of the world’s earliest urban civilizations, along with Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt.
The civilization was known for:
Advanced urban planning (with drainage systems, grid layouts)
Remarkable craftsmanship and trade
A script that remains undeciphered
Major sites like Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Lothal, Dholavira, and Kalibangan
Let’s now test your knowledge with 15 MCQs related to this fascinating chapter of Indian history.
Indus Valley Civilization – MCQs
The Indus Valley Civilization is also known as:
A) Vedic Civilization
B) Dravidian Civilization
C) Harappan Civilization
D) Aryan Civilization
Answer: C) Harappan Civilization
Explanation: It’s called the Harappan Civilization because the first site to be excavated was Harappa, in present-day Pakistan.
The script of the Indus Valley Civilization is:
A) Sanskrit
B) Pictographic
C) Brahmi
D) Persian
Answer: B) Pictographic
Explanation: The script is pictographic, made up of symbols. It hasn’t been fully deciphered yet.
The most important feature of the Indus Valley cities was:
A) Temples
B) Forts
C) Planned drainage system
D) Iron tools
Answer: C) Planned drainage system
Explanation: The cities had a well-planned drainage system with covered drains — an advanced feature for their time.
Which was the most advanced city in terms of town planning?
A) Harappa
B) Kalibangan
C) Lothal
D) Mohenjo-daro
Answer: D) Mohenjo-daro
Explanation: Mohenjo-daro, meaning “Mound of the Dead,” had a well-organized layout, with a Great Bath, granaries, and broad streets.
Which material was commonly used in Indus Valley construction?
A) Wood
B) Iron
C) Burnt bricks
D) Marble
Answer: C) Burnt bricks
Explanation: The Indus people commonly used burnt bricks for buildings — standardized and uniform in size.
The famous Great Bath has been found at:
A) Harappa
B) Dholavira
C) Mohenjo-daro
D) Rakhigarhi
Answer: C) Mohenjo-daro
Explanation: The Great Bath is one of the most famous public structures discovered at Mohenjo-daro.
Lothal was an important site for:
A) Agriculture
B) Pottery
C) Port and trade
D) Iron smelting
Answer: C) Port and trade
Explanation: Lothal, in Gujarat, was a significant port city, with dockyards and maritime trade.
The main occupation of the Indus Valley people was:
A) Hunting
B) Farming
C) Metalworking
D) Fishing
Answer: B) Farming
Explanation: The economy was largely agriculture-based, growing crops like wheat, barley, and peas.
The Indus Valley people worshipped:
A) Buddha
B) Lord Rama
C) Mother Goddess
D) Lord Krishna
Answer: C) Mother Goddess
Explanation: Many terracotta figurines of a Mother Goddess have been found, suggesting she was worshipped as a symbol of fertility.
A prominent animal featured on Indus seals is:
A) Tiger
B) Elephant
C) Bull
D) Unicorn
Answer: D) Unicorn
Explanation: The unicorn (a mythical single-horned creature) is seen on many seals, though the reason remains unclear.
What kind of economy did the Indus Valley Civilization have?
A) Barter system
B) Currency-based
C) Slave-based
D) Military economy
Answer: A) Barter system
Explanation: There’s no evidence of coins; trade was likely conducted through barter.
Which of these Indus sites is located in India?
A) Harappa
B) Mohenjo-daro
C) Dholavira
D) Chanhu-daro
Answer: C) Dholavira
Explanation: Dholavira, in present-day Gujarat (India), is one of the major Indus sites on Indian soil.
Which was the first Indus Valley site discovered?
A) Mohenjo-daro
B) Kalibangan
C) Lothal
D) Harappa
Answer: D) Harappa
Explanation: In 1921, Harappa was the first site to be excavated, leading to the name “Harappan Civilization.”
Evidence of ploughed fields has been found at:
A) Harappa
B) Kalibangan
C) Lothal
D) Mohenjo-daro
Answer: B) Kalibangan
Explanation: Kalibangan, in Rajasthan, shows evidence of ploughed agricultural fields — rare for ancient sites.
Which metal was not known to the Indus Valley people?
A) Copper
B) Bronze
C) Gold
D) Iron
Answer: D) Iron
Explanation: The Indus Valley Civilization was a Chalcolithic culture — they used copper and bronze, but iron was unknown to them.
Conclusion
The Indus Valley Civilization was a model of urban efficiency and technological advancement for its time. Although much about it remains a mystery — especially its script and sudden decline — what we do know continues to fascinate archaeologists and history lovers alike.
These MCQs are not only useful for competitive exams (like UPSC, SSC, CDS, etc.) but also for deepening your understanding of India’s ancient roots.
