90. Harappan houses were commonly organized around:
[SSC 2019]
A. Courtyards
B. Buddhist stupas
C. Royal pyramids
D. Amphitheatres
Answer: A. Courtyards
Explanation: Residential buildings often opened into central courtyards, with rooms surrounding them. This arrangement promoted privacy, ventilation and convenient access to bathing and domestic areas.
89. Which river is associated with the Harappan site of Harappa?
[SSC 2019]
A. Ravi
B. Ganga
C. Narmada
D. Godavari
Answer: A. Ravi
Explanation: Harappa was established beside an old channel of the Ravi River. Its position within Punjab’s river network supported agriculture, movement and regional exchange.
88. Which Harappan site is particularly famous for shell-working and coastal craft activity in Gujarat?
[SSC 2019]
A. Nageshwar
B. Manda
C. Alamgirpur
D. Rakhigarhi
Answer: A. Nageshwar
Explanation: Nageshwar in Gujarat was a specialized shell-working centre. Marine shells were transformed into bangles and other objects distributed through Harappan exchange networks.
87. Kot Diji lies close to which major Harappan urban centre?
[CDS-II 2018]
A. Harappa
B. Mohenjo-daro
C. Lothal
D. Kalibangan
Answer: B. Mohenjo-daro
Explanation: Kot Diji in Sindh lies comparatively close to Mohenjo-daro and is important for its pre-Harappan cultural phase, which preceded mature urban Harappan development.
86. Which Harappan centres are located in Uttar Pradesh?
[UPPSC Prelims 2018]
A. Alamgirpur and Hulas
B. Kalibangan and Lothal
C. Harappa and Mohenjo-daro
D. Dholavira and Surkotada
Answer: A. Alamgirpur and Hulas
Explanation: Alamgirpur and Hulas represent the eastern extension of Late Harappan cultural influence into western Uttar Pradesh, far from the civilization’s principal Indus centres.
85. The Indus Civilization emerged around which broad period according to the conventional chronology used in older examinations?
[RRB Group D 2018]
A. Around 2500 BCE
B. Around 500 BCE
C. Around 1200 CE
D. Around 500 CE
Answer: A. Around 2500 BCE
Explanation: Older examination texts commonly dated the mature phase approximately 2500–1750 BCE. Modern calibrated chronology usually places Mature Harappan civilization around 2600–1900 BCE.
84. The name Mohenjo-daro meaning “Mound of the Dead” comes from which language?
[RRB Group D 2018]
A. Sindhi
B. Tamil
C. Sanskrit
D. Pali
Answer: A. Sindhi
Explanation: “Mohenjo-daro” is a modern Sindhi place-name usually translated as “Mound of the Dead.” The original ancient name of the city remains unknown.
83. Copper mixed with tin produces which alloy extensively used by Harappans?
[RRB Group D 2018]
A. Bronze
B. Steel
C. Brass
D. Pewter
Answer: A. Bronze
Explanation: Bronze is produced primarily by alloying copper with tin. Harappan craftsmen used bronze for tools, weapons, vessels and artistic objects such as the Dancing Girl.
82. Which Harappan site used unbaked mud bricks extensively?
[SSC CHSL 2018]
A. Kalibangan
B. Mohenjo-daro
C. Chanhudaro
D. Harappa
Answer: A. Kalibangan
Explanation: Kalibangan’s architecture made extensive use of mud brick, although fired bricks were known throughout Harappan culture and were especially important for drains and water-related structures.
81. Which feature was NOT discovered at Kalibangan?
[SSC CHSL 2018]
A. Fire altars
B. Ploughed field
C. Black bangles
D. Couple burial
Answer: D. Couple burial
Explanation: Kalibangan is famous for fire altars, a ploughed field and distinctive material remains. Evidence of a paired burial is particularly associated with Lothal.
