Indus Valley — Set 1
Indian History · सिंधु घाटी · Questions 1–10 of 70
Which method is primarily used to determine the date of the Indus Valley Civilization?
Correct Answer: C. Radiocarbon Dating (C-14)
Radiocarbon dating (C-14) is the most accepted scientific method for dating ancient organic materials. It has placed the mature phase of the Indus Valley Civilization roughly between 2500 BCE and 1750 BCE. This technique measures the decay of carbon isotopes in artifacts.
Which metal was NOT known to the people of the Indus Valley Civilization?
Correct Answer: C. Iron
The people of the Indus Valley Civilization did not have knowledge of iron. They belonged to the Bronze Age and primarily utilized copper and bronze for tools and weapons. Iron discovery in India happened much later in the Vedic period.
What were the main food crops of the Indus Valley Civilization?
Correct Answer: C. Wheat and Barley
Wheat and barley were the staple food crops cultivated by the Indus people. Evidence of these grains has been found in quantity at sites like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. They also grew other crops like sesame, mustard, and cotton.
The majority of Indus Valley seals were made of which material?
Correct Answer: A. Steatite
Most of the seals found in the Indus Valley Civilization were made of steatite, a soft stone. These seals often depict animals like the unicorn, bull, or rhino alongside the script. Steatite is easily carved and hardens upon heating.
Which site provided the first evidence of cotton cultivation?
Correct Answer: A. Mehrgarh
Mehrgarh is historically significant for providing the earliest evidence of cotton cultivation in the subcontinent. It is a precursor site that leads into the Indus Valley Civilization timeline. The Indus people were among the first to produce cotton for textiles.
The town planning in the Indus Valley Civilization was mainly characterized by:
Correct Answer: C. Grid system
The cities were planned using a grid system where streets cut each other at right angles (90 degrees). This layout divided the city into rectangular blocks. Such advanced urban planning was unique for that time period.
Which animal is most frequently depicted on Indus Valley seals?
Correct Answer: B. Unicorn (mythical)
The 'Unicorn' (a one-horned mythical creature) is the most frequently depicted animal on Indus seals. It appears to have held significant symbolic or religious importance. The humped bull is another commonly portrayed animal.
The houses in the Indus Valley Civilization were primarily built using:
Correct Answer: C. Burnt bricks
The extensive use of burnt bricks for construction was a distinctive feature of the Indus Valley Civilization. While stone was used in some areas, standardized burnt bricks were the norm for urban housing. The bricks followed a uniform ratio of 1:2:4.
Which Indus Valley site is located in the Kutch region of Gujarat?
Correct Answer: C. Dholavira
Dholavira is a prominent Indus Valley site located in the Kutch district of Gujarat. Unlike other sites divided into two parts, Dholavira was divided into three parts: citadel, middle town, and lower town. It is also famous for its water management system.
Evidence of a 'ploughed field' was discovered at which site?
Correct Answer: D. Kalibangan
The evidence of a ploughed field was found at Kalibangan in Rajasthan. The furrows discovered there suggest the practice of mixed cropping. This is one of the earliest examples of agricultural ploughing.