Q1. Which of the following sites was the first to be excavated in the Harappan Civilization?
- Mohenjodaro
- Kalibangan
- Harappa
- Lothal
Correct Option: 3. Harappa
Explanation: Harappa was the first discovered site of the Harappan (Indus Valley) Civilization, excavated in 1921 by Daya Ram Sahni in the Montgomery district of Punjab, now in Pakistan. The discovery was significant because it revealed the presence of an advanced ancient civilization in the Indian subcontinent. Since Harappa was the first site to be studied, the entire civilization came to be known as the Harappan Civilization, even though later excavations found sites across a much larger area.
Q2. The Harappan city known for its impressive water reservoir system is:
- Mohenjodaro
- Dholavira
- Harappa
- Rakhigarhi
Correct Option: 2. Dholavira
Explanation: Dholavira, located in present-day Gujarat, is unique among Harappan cities due to its advanced water management system. It had reservoirs built using stone masonry, which were used to collect and store rainwater and river water. These water tanks were essential for survival in the arid region of the Rann of Kutch. The city was also divided into three parts: citadel, middle town, and lower town, unlike the two-part division (citadel and lower town) seen in most other Harappan cities.
Q3. Which of the following is true about the town planning of the Harappan cities?
- Streets were laid out randomly
- Citadel was absent in all cities
- Houses faced main roads
- Streets followed a grid pattern
Correct Option: 4. Streets followed a grid pattern
Explanation: The Harappan cities were known for their scientific urban planning, with streets laid out in a grid pattern—running north-south and east-west, intersecting at right angles. This level of planning suggests the presence of centralized authority and advanced engineering knowledge. Most houses were aligned along side lanes and not main roads, and typically had access to well-planned drainage systems, bathrooms, and toilets. The existence of a citadel (fortified area) in most large cities shows the administrative or ritual centralization.
Q4. Which metal was NOT used by the Harappans?
- Copper
- Bronze
- Iron
- Gold
Correct Option: 3. Iron
Explanation: The Harappan Civilization belonged to the Chalcolithic Age, also known as the Bronze Age. People during this time used copper, bronze (an alloy of copper and tin), and gold (often imported from southern India and Afghanistan). However, iron was not known or used by the Harappans; its use began during the later Vedic period (post-1200 BCE), which is why the Harappans are classified as a pre-Iron Age society.
Q5. Which deity is represented on the Pashupati seal found at Mohenjodaro?
- Brahma
- Indra
- Vishnu
- Shiva
Correct Option: 4. Shiva
Explanation: The Pashupati seal, found at Mohenjodaro, shows a three-faced deity seated in a yogic posture (cross-legged) on a throne, wearing a horned headdress, and surrounded by animals like elephant, tiger, buffalo, rhinoceros, and deer. Scholars interpret this as a prototype of Lord Shiva in his Pashupati (Lord of animals) form. This seal indicates the early roots of Shaivism, a sect of Hinduism, and suggests that some elements of later Indian religious traditions existed even in the Harappan period.