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Indus Valley Civilization
Indus Valley Civilization
Storehouse
Dockyard and earliest port
double burial
Rice husk
House had front entrance (exception).
ROPAR
Punjab, on the banks of river Sutlej. Discovered by Y.D Sharma (1955)
Dog buried with humans.
BANAWALI
Haryana
On banks of lost river Saraswathi
Barley Cultivation.
DHOLAVIRA
Biggest site in India, until the discovery of Rakhigarhi.
Located in Khadir Beyt, Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. Discovered by J.P Joshi/Rabindra Singh (1990)
3 parts + large open area for ceremonies
Large letters of the Harappan script (signboards).
The Early Harappan Phase is related to the Hakra Phase, identified in the Ghaggar-Hakra River Valley.
The earliest examples of the Indus script date back to 3000 BC.
This phase stands characterized by centralized authority and an increasingly urban quality of life.
Trade networks had been established and there are also evidences of the cultivation of crops. Peas, sesame seeds,
dates, cotton, etc., were grown during that time.
By 2600 BC, the Indus Valley Civilization had entered into a mature stage.
The early Harappan communities were turning into large urban centers, like Harappa and Mohenjodaro in Pakistan
and Lothal in India.
The signs of a gradual decline of the Indus River Valley Civilization are believed to have started around 1800 BC and by
1700 BC, most of the cities were abandoned.
However, one can see the various elements of the Ancient Indus Valley Civilization in later cultures.
Archaeological data indicates the persistence of the Late Harappan culture till 1000-900 BC.
Harappa and Mohenjodaro each had its own citadel or acropolis, which was possibly occupied by members of the
ruling class.
Below the citadel in each city lay a lower town containing brick houses, which were inhabited by the common people.
The remarkable thing about the arrangement of the houses in the cities is that they followed the grid system.
The use of burnt bricks in the Harappan cities is remarkable, because in the contemporary buildings of Egypt mainly
dried bricks were used.
In almost all cities every big or small house had its own courtyard and bathroom.
At sites such as Dholavira and Lothal (Gujarat), the entire settlement was fortified, and sections within the town were
also separated by walls.
Agriculture
The Harappan villages, mostly situated near the flood plains, produced sufficient food grains.
Wheat, barley, rai, peas, sesame, lentil, chickpea and mustard were produced. Millets are also found from sites in
Gujarat. While rice uses were relatively rare.
While the prevalence of agriculture is indicated by finds of grain, it is more difficult to reconstruct actual agricultural
practices.
Representations on seals and terracotta sculpture indicate that the bull was known, and archaeologists extrapolate
shows oxen were also used for ploughing.
Most Harappan sites are located in semi-arid lands, where irrigation was probably required for agriculture.
Traces of canals have been found at the Harappan site of Shortughai in Afghanistan, but not in Punjab or Sindh.
Although the Harappans practised agriculture, animals were also reared on a large scale.
Evidence of the horse comes from a superficial level of Mohenjodaro and from a doubtful terracotta figurine from
Lothal. In any case the Harappan culture was not horse centred.
Economy
The importance of trade in the life of the Indus people is witnessed by the presence of numerous seals, uniform script
and regulated weights and measures in a wide area.
Metal money was not used and trade was carried by barter system.
They had set up a trading colony in northern Afghanistan which evidently facilitated trade with Central Asia.
They also carried commerce with those in the land of the Tigris and the Euphrates.
The Harappans carried on long distance trade in lapis lazuli; which may have contributed to the social prestige of the
ruling class.
Crafts
The Harappans were very well acquainted with the manufacturing and use of Bronze.
Copper was obtained from the Khetri copper mines of Rajasthan and Tin was possibly brought from Afghanistan.
Huge brick structure suggest that brick-laying was an important craft. This also attests the existence of a class of
masons.
The Harappans practised boat-making, bead making and seal-making. Terracotta manufacture was also an important
craft.
The potter's wheel was in full use, and the Harappans produced their own characteristic pottery, which was glossy and
shining.
Institutions
Very few written materials have been discovered in the Indus valley and the scholars have not been able to decipher
the Indus script so far.
As a result, there is difficulty in understanding the nature of the state and institutions of the Indus Valley Civilization.
No temples have been found at any Harappan sites. Therefore the possibility of priests ruling Harappa can be
eliminated.
If we look for a centre of power or for depictions of people in power, archaeological records provide no immediate
answers.
o Some archaeologists are of the opinion that Harappan society had no rulers, and that everybody enjoyed equal
status.
o Another theory argues that there was no single ruler, but a number of rulers representing each of the urban
centers.
Religion
In Harappa numerous terracotta figurines of women have been found. In one figurine a plant is shown growing out of
the embryo of a woman.
o The Harappans, therefore, looked upon the earth as a fertility goddess and worshipped her in the same
manner as the Egyptians worshipped the Nile goddess Isis.
The male deity is represented on a seal with three horned heads, represented in the sitting posture of a yogi.
o This god is surrounded by an elephant, a tiger, a rhinoceros, and has a buffalo below his throne. At his feet
appear two deer. The depicted god is identified as Pushupati Mahadeva.
Numerous symbols of the phallus and female sex organs made of stone have been found.
The people of the Indus region also worshipped trees and Animals.
The most important of them is the one horned unicorn which may be identified with the rhinoceros and the next
important was the humped bull.
One theory claims that Indo-European tribe i.e. Aryans invaded and conquered the IVC.
o In later cultures various elements of the IVC are found which suggest that civilization did not disappear
suddenly due to an invasion.
On the other hand, many scholars believe natural factors are behind the decline of the IVC.
o It is believed that the Indus Valley region experienced several tectonic disturbances which causes earthquakes.
Which also changed courses of rivers or dried them up.
There could be also dramatic shifts in the river courses, which might have brought floods to the food producing areas.
Due to combination of these natural causes there was a slow but inevitable collapse of IVC.
Objective Questions
1. Which of the following was common both to the (c) Kalibangan
Harappan society and the Rigvedic society? (d) Roper
(a) Iron implements Correct Answer: (b) Lothal
(b) Female deities
7. The Harappans did not know the use of:
(c) Urban centers
(a) Bronze
(d) Horses
(b) Gold
Correct Answer: (d) Horses
(c) Iron
2. Which one of the following archaeologists initially (d) Silver
discovered the Mohenjo-Daro site of the Indus Correct Answer: (c) Iron
Valley civilization?
8. Harappan Culture was spread over:
(a) Sir John Marshal
(a) Punjab, Sind, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat
(b) Rakhal Das Bannerjee
(b) Sind, Punjab, Baluchistan, Afghanistan
(c) Daya Ram Sahni
(c) Sind, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana,
(d) Sir Mortimer Wheeler
Rajasthan, Gujarat
Correct Answer: (b) Rakhal Das Bannerjee
(d) Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Afghanistan
3. Which among the following throws light on Correct Answer: (c) Sind, Punjab, Jammu &
Harappan Culture? Kashmir, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat
(a) Archaeological finds
9. The Aryans succeeded in their conflicts with the
(b) The Harrapan script
pre-Aryans because
(c) The rock edicts
(a) they used elephants on a large scale
(d) None of the above
(b) they were taller and stronger
Correct Answer: (a) Archaeological finds
(c) they were from an advanced urban culture
4. What is the name the script of the Harappans: (d) they used chariots driven by horse
(a) describes their war against the indigenous Correct Answer: (d) they used chariots driven by
inhabitants horse
(b) has not yet been deciphered
10. The Great Bath of Indus Valley civilization is
(c) is written in Prakrit language
found at
(d) None of the above is true
(a) Harappan
Correct Answer: (b) has not yet been deciphered
(b) Mohenjodaro
5. The cities of Kalibangan and Lothal are associated (c) Ropar
with: (d) Kalibangan
(a) Egyptian culture Correct Answer: (b) Mohenjodaro
(b) Harappan culture
11. The glory of the Harappan culture rests chiefly on:
(c) Aryan culture
(a) Architecture
(d) Chinese civilization
(b) town planning
Correct Answer: (b) Harappan culture
(c) craftsmanship
6. The excavations at which of the following sites (d) administrative system
provided the evidence of maritime trade being Correct Answer: (b) town planning
carried on during the period of the Harappan
12. The staple food of the Vedic Aryans was
culture?
(a) barley and rice
(a) Mohenjo-Daro
(b) milk and its products
(b) Lothal
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40. From where a stone cut water reservoir has been 44. Consider the following statements and mark the
discovered? option which is correct.
(a) Surkotada (i) Broken Ivory was used as a scale in Chanhudaro.
(b) Kalibangan (ii) During Burial bodies were extended in North-
(c) Dholavira South Direction.
(d) Harappa (iii) Ganerinkla site is situated in Bahawalpur,
Correct Answer: (c) Dholavira Pakistan.
(iv) The ‘Great Bath’ of Mohanjodaro Measures 12
41. Consider the following statements and mark the
× 7 × 3 meters.
option which is correct.
(a) i, ii & iii
(i) The predominance of Mother Goddess denotes
(b) ii & iii
people’s faith in fertility cult.
(c) ii & iv
(ii) Mainly offensive weapons were found in
(d) all of the above
Harappa.
Correct Answer: (d) all of the above
(iii) Six types of pottery have been discovered from
Kalibangan. 45. The script of the Harappan people consisted of:
(iv) Painting on a jar resembling the story of the (a) a family of quasi-pictographic writings
cunning for the Panchatantra has been found from (b) a family of geometrical shapes
Lothal. (c) a combination of both pictures and geometrical
(a) i, & iv shapes
(b) all of the above (d) none of these
(c) none of the above Correct Answer: (a) a family of quasi-pictographic
(d) iii only writings
Correct Answer: (b) all of the above
46. Which of the following presents the most
42. Consider the following statements and mark the significant feature of Indus Valley Civilization?
option which is correct. (a) Burnt brick buildings
(i) The first manmade port was found in Harappa. (b) buildings of worship
(ii) The main crops of Indus Valley civilization were (c) Art and architecture
wheat & Barley. (d) First true arches
(iii) The Largest Harappan Settlement in India is Correct Answer: (a) Burnt brick buildings
Rakhigarhi in Haryana.
47. Which of the following is incorrect concerning
(iv) The Largest number of settlements are in
Mohenjo-Daro?
Ghaggar-Hakar Valleys.
(a) It was a well-planned city
(a) i & ii
(b) Buildings were of varying sizes
(b) all of the above
(c) Bathrooms were important features of most
(c) ii, iii & iv
houses
(d) none of the above
(d) There was no drainage system
Correct Answer: (c) ii, iii & iv
Correct Answer: (d) There was no drainage system
43. Consider the following statements and mark the
48. The source of the blue gemstone, lapis lazuli, for
option which is correct.
the people of Harappan culture, was:
(i) Rice Husk has been found from Lothal &
(a) Gujarat
Rangpur.
(b) Maharashtra
(ii) Evidence of signage on a wall has been
(c) Western U.P.
discovered from Dholavira.
(d) Afghanistan
(iii) A thirteen roomed house from the overlap
Correct Answer: (d) Afghanistan
period has been discovered from Bhagvanpura.
(iv) The steatite figure of a bearded man has been 49. The Indus Valley houses were built of:
recovered from Mohenjo-Daro. (a) bamboos
(a) All of the above (b) bricks
(b) ii & iii (c) wood
(c) none of the above (d) stone
Correct Answer: (b) bricks
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50. Of the following Harappan sites those not in India are: (c) 1912
(a) Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa (d) 1932
(b) Banwali and Ropar Correct Answer: (c) 1912
(c) Lothal and Kalibangan
(d) Lothal and Ropar 59. Traces of which of the following has not been found in
Correct Answer: (a) Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa the Indus Civilization?
(a) Barley
51. The source of the blue gemstone, lapis lazuli, for the (b) Sesamum
people of Harappan culture was (c) Mustard
(a) Gujarat (d) Sugarcane
(b) Maharashtra Correct Answer: (d) Sugarcane
(c) Western U.P.
(d) Afghanistan 60. The ornaments of Indus people were made of?
Correct Answer: (d) Afghanistan (a) Precious Stones
(b) Copper & Bronze
52. Which of the following is not an Indus Valley (c) Gold & Silver
Civilization site? (d) All of the above
(a) Alamgirpur Correct Answer: (d) All of the above
(b) Lothal
(c) Kaushambi 61. The animal picturized on the most Harappan seal is-
(d) Balakot (a) Unicorn
Correct Answer: (c) Kaushambi (b) Humped Bull
(c) Jebu
53. The latest Harappan site discovered in Gujarat is (d) Buffalo
(a) Dwaraka Correct Answer: (a) Unicorn
(b) Kuntasi
(c) Manda 62. Button size seals of Harappan Civilization have the
(d) Khandia symbols of-
Correct Answer: (b) Kuntasi (a) Fish
(b) Swastik
54. Which Harappan site is associated with the Rice (c) Srivatsa
cultivation? (d) Unicorn
(a) Harappa Correct Answer: (b) Swastik
(b) Mohenjo-Daro
(c) Kalibangan 63. Bead-making workshops are found in:
(d) Lothal (a) Lothal and Rangpur
Correct Answer: (d) Lothal (b) Lothal and Chanhudaro
(c) Chanhudaro and Harappa
55. The tools and weapons of Harappan civilization were (d) Harappa and Kalibangan
mostly made of Correct Answer: (b) Lothal and Chanhudaro
(a) Stone only
(b) Stone and copper 64. The Indus people depended on Rajasthan for the
(c) Copper, bronze and iron supply of?
(d) Copper, tin, and bronze (a) Tin and Silver
Correct Answer: (d) Copper, tin, and bronze (b) Silver and Gold
(c) Tin and Slate
56. The Lothal civilization was known for (d) Slate and Jade
(a) Art and architecture Correct Answer: (c) Tin and Slate
(b) Agriculture
(c) Trade and commerce 65. An Ivory scale is found from-
(d) Drainage system (a) Harappa
Correct Answer: (d) Drainage system (b) Mohenjo-Daro
(c) Lothal
57. The spread of the Harappa civilization is coterminous (d) Kalibangan
with the- Correct Answer: (c) Lothal
(a) Irrigation facilities
(b) Soil fertility 66. The Harappan script is similar to which script?
(c) Wheat producing zone (a) Kharosthi
(d) Availability of raw materials and minerals (b) Brahmi
Correct Answer: (c) Wheat producing zone (c) Dravid
(d) Devanagari
58. The Indus Valley Civilization was discovered in Correct Answer: (c) Dravid
(a) 1902
(b) 1922
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67. The Indus people imported lead from? (b) Baluchistan and South India
(a) Saurashtra (c) Baluchistan, South India and Arabia
(b) Maharashtra (d) None of the above places
(c) South India Correct Answer: (c) Baluchistan, South India and Arabia
(d) Central Asia
Correct Answer: (c) South India 75. A Terracotta model of a ship is found from
(a) Sotkakoh
68. Harappa is situated on the bank of which river? (b) Rangpur
(a) Sindhu (c) Lothal
(b) Ghagger (d) Dhaulvira
(c) Ravi Correct Answer: (c) Lothal
(d) Beas
Correct Answer: (c) Ravi 76. In which direction the deads were buried by the
Harappan’s?
69. Evidence of ploughing the land is found from? (a) North-South position
(a) Rangpur (b) East-West position
(b) Harappa (c) Any position
(c) Kalibangan (d) Did not bury
(d) Ropar Correct Answer: (a) North-South position
Correct Answer: (c) Kalibangan
77. According to archaeologists the settlement of
70. Harappan seals were mostly made up of? Mohenjo-Daro shrank in its decline?
(a) Steatite (a) From 85 hectares to 3 hectares
(b) Red sandstone (b) From 85 hectares to 10 hectares
(c) Terracotta (c) From 90 hectares to 3 hectares
(d) Ivory (d) From 90 hectares to 10 hectares
Correct Answer: (a) Steatite Correct Answer: (a) From 85 hectares to 3 hectares
71. Trace of a canal built by Indus people is found near- 78. The decline of the urban phase of civilization is evident
(a) Harappa from
(b) Dhaulavira (a) Vanishing of Harappa script
(c) Shortughai (b) The disappearance of Bronze tools
(d) Sotkakoh (c) No more redware pottery with black designs
Correct Answer: (c) Shortughai (d) All of the above
Correct Answer: (d) All of the above
72. The evidence of ship or big boat has been found from-
(a) Chanhudaro 79. Which of the following statement is not correct?
(b) Lothal (a) Mohenjo-Daro was flooded a number of times
(c) Mohenjo-Daro (b) Harappa was flooded twice
(d) None of the above (c) Chanbudaro was inundated
Correct Answer: (c) Mohenjo-Daro (d) Some settlements in Baluchistan were destroyed by
fire
73. The Indus site (60 hectors) in Gujarat is- Correct Answer: (b) Harappa was flooded twice
(a) Lothal
(b) Dhaulavira 80. Cemetery H is situated in-
(c) Surkotda (a) Mohenjo-Daro
(d) Rangpur (b) Harappa
Correct Answer: (b) Dhaulavira
(c) Lothal
74. The Indus people imported copper from- (d) Rangpur
(a) Baluchistan Correct Answer: (a) Mohenjo-Daro