Indus Valley Civilization

11. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

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List-I
(Harappan Site)		List-II
(Location)
A. Nageshwar1. Uttar Pradesh
B. Alamgirpur2. Rajasthan
C. Kalibangan3. Saurashtra
D. Rakhigarhi4. Haryana

Code :

A B C D

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3 1 2 4
4 2 1 3
4 1 2 3
3 2 1 4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2023
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Let’s match the Harappan sites with their locations:
A. Nageshwar: Located on the southern coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. Known as a centre for shell working. This matches with 3.
B. Alamgirpur: Located in Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh. It is considered the easternmost site of the Indus Valley Civilization. This matches with 1.
C. Kalibangan: Located in Hanumangarh district, Rajasthan, on the banks of the Ghaggar river. Known for its evidence of ploughed fields, fire altars, and early Harappan layers. This matches with 2.
D. Rakhigarhi: Located in Hisar district, Haryana. It is one of the largest, if not the largest, sites of the Indus Valley Civilization. This matches with 4.
The correct sequence is A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4, which corresponds to option A.
Nageshwar (Gujarat/Saurashtra), Alamgirpur (Uttar Pradesh), Kalibangan (Rajasthan), Rakhigarhi (Haryana) are important Harappan sites located in different present-day Indian states.
The spread of the Indus Valley Civilization extended across modern-day Pakistan, northwest India, and parts of Afghanistan and Iran. Key sites include Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, Lothal, Dholavira, Banawali, etc.

12. Most of the mature Harappan sites in the region of Cholistan had been

Most of the mature Harappan sites in the region of Cholistan had been abandoned during

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C. 2250 BCE
C. 2000 BCE
C. 1800 BCE
C. 1700 BCE
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Archaeological evidence from the Cholistan desert region, which contains a large number of Harappan sites, indicates a significant decline and abandonment of most mature Harappan settlements during the Late Harappan phase. Studies place the peak of the Mature Harappan period in Cholistan between 2600 and 1900 BCE, followed by a drastic reduction in sites and a shift towards smaller, less complex settlements. By around 1800 BCE, the mature urban centers in Cholistan were largely abandoned.
– Cholistan is located in Pakistan, south of Punjab and east of Sindh.
– It was a core area of the Mature Harappan civilization.
– The decline of the Harappan civilization varied regionally, but the period from around 1900 BCE onwards is generally considered the Late Harappan phase or Post-Urban Harappan.
– Factors like climatic change, changes in river courses (e.g., the Ghaggar-Hakra river), and potentially other socio-political factors contributed to the decline and abandonment of sites.
The overall decline of the Harappan civilization across its vast extent is a complex process that occurred over several centuries, typically dated from around 1900 BCE to 1300 BCE, with regional variations in timing and nature of decline or transformation. The abandonment of core regions like Cholistan by 1800 BCE is a significant event within this broader process.

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13. Which one of the following statements about the Harappan script is NOT

Which one of the following statements about the Harappan script is NOT correct ?

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It has about four hundred signs
It was written from right to left
It has been found on bone rods and jewellery
It refers to the people of Meluhha
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The statement “It refers to the people of Meluhha” about the Harappan script is NOT correct. Meluhha is the name used in Mesopotamian texts, written in Cuneiform script, believed to refer to the Indus Valley Civilization. The Harappan script itself is undeciphered, so we do not know what names or people it refers to internally. The other statements are generally considered correct based on current understanding of the Harappan script.
The Harappan script is undeciphered, meaning its language and content are unknown. Mesopotamian texts mention trade with a land called Meluhha, widely identified with the Indus Valley region.
Estimates for the number of signs in the Harappan script vary but are generally around 400-600, suggesting it was likely logographic-cum-syllabic. Evidence from overlapping signs suggests it was written from right to left, though boustrophedon (alternating direction) is also possible. While most inscriptions are found on seals, they also appear on pottery, copper tablets, tools, ivory rods, and potentially on other materials.

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14. Which of the following is/are the most distinctive artefacts of the Ha

Which of the following is/are the most distinctive artefacts of the Harappan Civilisation?

  • 1. Steatite seal
  • 2. Bricks of a standardised ratio
  • 3. Gold bangles
  • 4. Silver spittoon

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1 only
1 and 2 only
2, 3 and 4
1, 2 and 4
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Distinctive artefacts of a civilization are those that are unique or highly characteristic of that culture.
1. Steatite seal: Harappan seals with their unique script and animal motifs are considered one of the most distinctive and representative artefacts of the civilization. They are found in large numbers and across the extent of the Harappan world.
2. Bricks of a standardised ratio: The use of kiln-fired bricks in a specific, standardized ratio (typically 1:2:4 for thickness, width, and length) is a hallmark of Harappan urban planning and construction techniques, making it a highly distinctive feature.
3. Gold bangles: While gold ornaments were found in Harappan sites, bangles are a common form of ornament found in many cultures, making them less distinctly Harappan compared to seals or standardized bricks.
4. Silver spittoon: Silver objects were used, but a ‘spittoon’ is not typically highlighted as one of the most significant or distinctive artefact types representing the civilization as a whole.
Therefore, Steatite seals and Bricks of a standardised ratio are considered the most distinctive artefacts among the given options.
Harappan seals and their highly standardized brick architecture are widely recognized as prime identifying characteristics of the civilization.
Other significant artefacts include pottery, weights and measures (known for their accuracy), bronze figures (like the Dancing Girl), and terracotta figurines. However, seals and bricks often stand out due to their widespread presence and unique features.

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15. Which of the following statements about Harappa Civilization is/are co

Which of the following statements about Harappa Civilization is/are correct?

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  • 1. There is the extraordinary uniformity in artefacts as evident in pottery, seals, bricks and weights.
  • 2. The late Harappa sites also maintained the same construction techniques as were used in mature Harappa sites.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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Statement 1 is correct. A striking feature of the Mature Harappan phase (c. 2600-1900 BCE) is the remarkable uniformity observed in artefacts across a vast geographical area, including standardized pottery styles, characteristic seals, bricks of consistent size ratios (usually 1:2:4), and a precise system of weights.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Late Harappan phase (c. 1900-1300 BCE) saw a decline in many of the characteristics of the Mature phase. This included a decrease in the uniformity of artefacts, the abandonment of major urban centers, and a deterioration in construction techniques and planning compared to the sophisticated urban infrastructure of the Mature period. Late Harappan sites often show less standardized brick sizes, less elaborate drainage systems, and generally simpler structures.
The uniformity in material culture is a hallmark of the Mature Harappan civilization. The Late Harappan phase signifies a period of decline and regional variations, deviating from the earlier standardization in aspects like construction.
The reasons for the decline of the Harappan civilization are debated, but theories include climate change, shifts in river courses, environmental degradation, invasions, and internal social disruption. The Late Harappan phase represents a transition period before the emergence of new cultures in the subcontinent.

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16. Which one among the following is not true of bead-making as a salient

Which one among the following is not true of bead-making as a salient feature of mature Harappan crafts ?

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Harappan beads were made of gold, copper, shell, lapis lazuli, ivory and a variety of semi-precious stones
Archaeologists have identified beadmakers' shops on the basis of assemblages of unfinished objects
At Chanhudaro, tools, furnaces and beads in various stages of preparations have been found
The structure at Banawali yielded many beads in finished, semi-finished and unfinished states
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The correct option is D, as the statement about the structure at Banawali yielding beads in various states is not as accurately or commonly cited as the evidence from other sites like Chanhudaro.
– Statement A is true. Harappan craftsmen used a wide variety of materials for bead making, including precious metals like gold, copper, and semi-precious stones like carnelian, jasper, crystal, steatite, along with shell, ivory, and faience.
– Statement B is true. Archaeologists identify craft production sites like bead-making workshops by finding clusters of tools, raw materials, unfinished objects, waste products, and finished goods.
– Statement C is true. Chanhudaro is a prominent Harappan site specifically known for being a major centre for craft production, including bead making. Excavations there have yielded extensive evidence of bead production processes, tools, furnaces, and beads in different stages of manufacture.
– Statement D is the statement that is *not true* or at least less accurate compared to the well-documented evidence from other sites like Chanhudaro. While Banawali did have evidence of bead making, the specific description of a ‘structure’ yielding beads in ‘various stages’ is most strongly associated with sites like Chanhudaro or Lothal, which are more famously known as bead-manufacturing hubs with clear workshop structures. Banawali is known for other finds like a ploughed field and a street pattern, but the description in D is not its most salient feature regarding bead-making compared to Chanhudaro.
Bead making was a highly developed craft in the Indus Valley Civilization, involving complex techniques like drilling, heating (carnelian), and finishing. Different sites specialized in the production of beads from specific materials or types of beads. Chanhudaro is often referred to as the ‘Lancashire of India’ for its extensive craft production evidence.

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17. The prevalence of grain in Harappan sites indicated that

The prevalence of grain in Harappan sites indicated that

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Harappans ploughed their fields
Harappans broadcast seed on their fields
agriculture was prevalent in Harappan sites
trade in bulk items like food grains was well-established in Harappan times
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The correct answer is C. The prevalence of various types of grain (wheat, barley, rice, millet, pulses, etc.) found at numerous Harappan sites is direct evidence that agriculture was a major economic activity in the Harappan civilization.
– Archaeological excavations at Harappan sites have unearthed large quantities of domesticated plant remains, primarily grains.
– Granaries have been found at major sites like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, suggesting surplus production and storage of grains.
– Evidence like terracotta plough models and ploughed fields at Kalibangan further supports the practice of agriculture.
While options A and B relate to agricultural practices (ploughing, broadcasting seeds), the mere *prevalence* of grain directly confirms that agriculture itself was widespread (C). While trade in grains likely occurred (D), the abundance of grains at sites points to local production as the primary reason for their prevalence, making agriculture a key feature of the economy.

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18. Various causes have been suggested for the decline of Harappan culture

Various causes have been suggested for the decline of Harappan culture. Consider the causes mentioned below and identify the weakest of them.

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Due to constant incidents of naturally occurring floods
Due to increase in the salinity of the soil, fertility decreased there
Earthquakes caused changes in the course of the Indus, which led to inundation
The Aryans invaded and destroyed the Harappan culture
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The correct answer is D. The theory that the Aryans invaded and destroyed the Harappan culture is now widely considered the weakest explanation among scholars regarding the decline of the Harappan civilization.
– Various theories have been proposed for the decline of the Harappan civilization, including environmental factors like floods, changes in river courses, increased aridity, soil salinity, and internal factors like decline in trade or administrative collapse.
– The “Aryan Invasion Theory,” popularized by Mortimer Wheeler, suggested a violent end to the civilization by invading Aryans.
– Modern archaeological research has found little evidence of large-scale violence or invasion across the entire Harappan area at the time of decline. Evidence points more towards a gradual decline and abandonment of many sites due to complex factors.
Current scholarship favors a multi-causal explanation for the decline, emphasizing environmental changes (like the drying up of the Ghaggar-Hakra river system), ecological stress, and possibly internal socio-economic factors, rather than a single catastrophic event like an invasion.

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19. The following sentences describe one of the sites of the Harappan civi

The following sentences describe one of the sites of the Harappan civilization:
‘The settlement is divided into two sections, one smaller but higher and the other much larger but lower. Archaeologists designate these as the Citadel and the lower town respectively. Both were walled. Several buildings were built on platforms, which served as foundations.’
Which of the following sites does it refer to ?

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Harappa
Mohenjodaro
Lothal
Kalibangan
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UPSC CAPF – 2011
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The description of the settlement divided into a smaller, higher Citadel and a larger, lower town is characteristic of many major Harappan sites like Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, and Kalibangan. However, the phrase “Both were walled” is particularly applicable to Kalibangan. While the Citadels at Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were walled, their Lower Towns were not consistently or completely walled. At Kalibangan, both the Citadel (which was further divided into two parts) and the Lower Town were enclosed by fortification walls. The construction of buildings on platforms is also a common feature across these sites to protect them from floods or provide stable foundations.
– Major Harappan cities often had a bipartite division into a Citadel and a Lower Town.
– The Citadel was typically located in the western part, higher, and smaller, while the Lower Town was larger and located in the eastern part.
– The key distinguishing feature mentioned here is that *both* sections were walled.
– Kalibangan is known for having fortification walls around both the Citadel and the Lower Town.
Other sites like Lothal have a different layout, typically a single walled area divided into functional sectors. The presence of a citadel and lower town, particularly with fortification around both, is a specific architectural feature helpful in identifying the site.

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20. The Harappan civilization covered an extensive area of present South A

The Harappan civilization covered an extensive area of present South Asia. The geographic space covered by this civilization included

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Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh and Northeastern frontier
Punjab, Sindh, Northwestern frontier and Kashmir
Punjab, Sindh and a part of Northwestern frontier
Punjab, Sindh, a part of Northwestern frontier, Kathiawar and a part of Ganga-Yamuna Doab
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The correct option is D. The Harappan civilization was one of the most extensive ancient civilizations, spanning across modern-day Pakistan and Northwest India. Option D provides the most comprehensive description of its geographical spread among the given choices, including core areas like Punjab and Sindh, parts of the Northwestern frontier (Balochistan), important regions in Kathiawar (Gujarat), and the easternmost extensions in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab (Western Uttar Pradesh).
The question tests knowledge of the geographical extent of the Harappan (Indus Valley) Civilization. Key areas included Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh.
Major Harappan sites like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa are in Sindh and Punjab (Pakistan), Dholavira and Lothal are in Kathiawar (Gujarat, India), Sutkagen Dor is near the Iran border (Balochistan), and Alamgirpur is in Western Uttar Pradesh. Manda in Jammu and Kashmir represents the northernmost extent, and Daimabad in Maharashtra represents the southernmost extent. Option D correctly captures several key regions defining its extensive area.

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