210. The large well supplying water to the Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro was located:
[NDA-I 2026 — 12 April 2026]
A. Near the drain of the tank
B. At the top of one of the staircases
C. In one of the adjoining rooms on the eastern side
D. At the bottom of the tank in a corner
Answer: C. In one of the adjoining rooms on the eastern side
Explanation: The Great Bath received fresh water from a large circular well situated in an adjoining room on its eastern side. Used water was discharged through a separate drain.
209. How many of the following Harappan site–region pairs are correctly matched?
[UPSC CDS-II 2026 — 13 September 2026]
- Bhirrana — Haryana
- Ganweriwala — Punjab, Pakistan
- Dholavira — Gujarat
- Farmana — Uttar Pradesh
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Answer: C. 3
Explanation: Bhirrana, Ganweriwala and Dholavira are correctly matched. Farmana is located in Haryana, not Uttar Pradesh; therefore, three of the four pairs are correct.
208. Which of the following statements is/are correct about the Harappans?
[UPSC CDS-II 2026 — 13 September 2026]
- They were among the earliest people to grow cotton in Eurasia.
- They consumed turmeric, ginger and banana.
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Harappans were early cultivators of cotton. Archaeobotanical and residue studies also provide evidence for consumption of foods and spices including turmeric, ginger and banana.
207. Which of the following is the correct north-to-south order of these major Harappan settlements?
[UPSC CDS-II 2026 — 13 September 2026]
A. Lakhmirwala → Banawali → Rakhigarhi → Bhirrana
B. Rakhigarhi → Banawali → Bhirrana → Lakhmirwala
C. Banawali → Rakhigarhi → Lakhmirwala → Bhirrana
D. Rakhigarhi → Bhirrana → Banawali → Lakhmirwala
Answer: A. Lakhmirwala → Banawali → Rakhigarhi → Bhirrana
Explanation: According to the examination key, their geographical placement from north towards south follows Lakhmirwala, Banawali, Rakhigarhi and Bhirrana within the wider Ghaggar-Hakra cultural region.
206. Which of the following regions was one of the major sources of copper for the Harappan Civilization?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I — 17 March 2026, Shift 1]
A. Rajasthan
B. Bihar
C. Afghanistan
D. Maharashtra
Answer: A. Rajasthan
Explanation: The Khetri copper belt of Rajasthan was an important source of copper for Harappan communities. Copper was extensively employed for tools, weapons, ornaments and vessels.
205. In which district of Gujarat is the Harappan archaeological site of Dholavira situated?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I — 27 March 2026, Shift 2]
A. Jamnagar
B. Banaskantha
C. Kutch
D. Patan
Answer: C. Kutch
Explanation: Dholavira is situated on Khadir Bet in the Great Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. It is especially renowned for its reservoirs, stone architecture and sophisticated water management.
204. Which of the following Harappan sites yielded excellent examples of metal-cast sculptures?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I — 7 May 2026]
A. Nageshwar
B. Kalibangan
C. Daimabad
D. Rangpur
Answer: C. Daimabad
Explanation: Daimabad in Maharashtra yielded remarkable bronze objects, including animal figures and a chariot composition. The finds demonstrate sophisticated metal-casting traditions associated with the Late Harappan-Chalcolithic horizon.
203. Which feature at Lothal provides the most convincing evidence of its role as a maritime trading centre of the Harappan Civilization?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I — 8 May 2026, Shift 1]
A. Discovery of seals showing distant contacts
B. A brick-built basin connected to an ancient river channel
C. Bead-making workshops
D. A large warehouse near the dock
Answer: B. A brick-built basin connected to an ancient river channel
Explanation: Lothal’s large brick-lined basin connected with an ancient water channel is interpreted as a dock facility, providing direct archaeological evidence for its maritime commercial role.
202. Which unique architectural feature particularly distinguishes the Harappan site of Dholavira?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I — 15 June 2026, Shift 1]
A. Large fortifications
B. Step-wells for water conservation
C. Pictorial murals on walls
D. Complex drainage systems
Answer: B. Step-wells for water conservation
Explanation: Dholavira developed exceptional water-harvesting architecture, including large stepped reservoirs and interconnected storage structures, enabling its inhabitants to conserve scarce seasonal water in the arid Kutch environment.
201. In the Harappan Civilization, what material was used at Dholavira to construct massive fortifications?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I — 18 June 2026, Shift 2]
A. Stone
B. Granite
C. Wood
D. Bricks
Answer: A. Stone
Explanation: Dholavira differed from many brick-dominated Harappan cities through its extensive use of locally available stone. Massive stone fortification walls surrounded and separated important sections of the settlement.
200. Consider the following statements regarding bead production in Harappan towns: [NDA-I 2026]
- Carnelian, quartz and steatite were used for making beads.
- Beads occurred in cylindrical, barrel and disc shapes.
- Specialized stone drills were used for perforating beads.
Which statements are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Harappan craftsmen produced beads from several semi-precious materials in diverse shapes. Archaeological evidence from craft centres also includes specialized drills used for making precise perforations.
199. Which inferences are supported by Harappan archaeological evidence such as spindle-whorls, calibrated weights and large brick houses with wells and bathing platforms?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2026]
A. Domestic spinning and knowledge of standardized measurement
B. Complete absence of craft specialization
C. Iron-based household industries
D. A nomadic social system
Answer: A. Domestic spinning and knowledge of standardized measurement
Explanation: Spindle-whorls indicate household textile activity, while calibrated weights reveal advanced measurement practices. Substantial houses with wells and bathing areas demonstrate sophisticated urban construction and household amenities.
198. Shortughai, a Harappan settlement in Afghanistan, was especially important for access to which resource?
[NDA-II 2026]
A. Iron ore
B. Lapis lazuli
C. Tea
D. Coal
Answer: B. Lapis lazuli
Explanation: Shortughai stood close to the Badakhshan region, famous for lapis lazuli. Its location indicates Harappan participation in long-distance trade networks involving valuable semi-precious stones.
197. Which material was commonly used for making Harappan seals?
[NDA-I 2025]
A. Sandstone
B. Lapis lazuli
C. Jasper
D. Steatite
Answer: D. Steatite
Explanation: Most Harappan seals were carved from steatite, a soft stone suitable for fine engraving. They commonly carried animal motifs, short inscriptions and occasionally composite figures.
196. Traces of irrigation canals associated with the Harappan Civilization have been found at:
[NDA-II 2025]
A. Banawali
B. Lothal
C. Shortughai
D. Dholavira
Answer: C. Shortughai
Explanation: Shortughai in Afghanistan yielded evidence of canals connected with agricultural activity. The settlement also occupied an important position in Harappan trade with Central Asian regions.
195. Which civilization is generally regarded as the earliest major urban civilization of the Indian subcontinent?
[SSC Stenographer 2025]
A. Gupta Civilization
B. Mauryan Civilization
C. Indus Valley Civilization
D. Later Vedic Civilization
Answer: C. Indus Valley Civilization
Explanation: The Harappan or Indus Civilization created the subcontinent’s earliest extensive urban network, characterized by planned streets, standardized bricks, drainage systems, craft production and long-distance commerce.
194. Rows of circular brick platforms discovered at Harappa are generally associated with which activity?
[SSC Stenographer 2025]
A. Royal coronations
B. Processing or threshing grain
C. Astronomical observation
D. Cremation
Answer: B. Processing or threshing grain
Explanation: Circular brick platforms near Harappa’s granary area contained remains associated with cereals. Archaeologists therefore connect them primarily with grain processing rather than religious ceremonies.
193. Which metal was unknown to the mature Harappans?
[SSC CHSL 2025]
A. Copper
B. Gold
C. Iron
D. Silver
Answer: C. Iron
Explanation: Harappans extensively used copper and bronze and also knew gold and silver. Iron technology became widespread in the Indian subcontinent only after the mature Harappan period.
192. The script of the Indus Valley Civilization is best described as:
[SSC MTS 2025]
A. Fully deciphered
B. Brahmi
C. Kharosthi
D. Undeciphered
Answer: D. Undeciphered
Explanation: Thousands of short Harappan inscriptions survive on seals, tablets and pottery, but no generally accepted decipherment exists because the inscriptions are brief and no bilingual text survives.
191. Which animal is generally considered absent from standard Harappan seal representations?
[SSC CPO 2025]
A. Bull
B. Elephant
C. Horse
D. Rhinoceros
Answer: C. Horse
Explanation: Bulls, elephants, rhinoceroses and several other animals occur prominently on Harappan seals. Clear and uncontested representation of the horse is notably absent from the standard seal corpus.