60. Which Harappan site lies in Gujarat?
[SSC CPO 2017]
A. Surkotada
B. Harappa
C. Mohenjo-daro
D. Alamgirpur
Answer: A. Surkotada
Explanation: Surkotada is situated in Kutch, Gujarat. It was a fortified Harappan settlement and has generated archaeological discussion because of reported equid remains.
59. Where was a bronze chariot model of Harappan cultural association found?
[SSC CPO 2017]
A. Daimabad
B. Harappa
C. Kalibangan
D. Banawali
Answer: A. Daimabad
Explanation: Daimabad in Maharashtra yielded a famous hoard of bronze objects, including a wheeled chariot-like composition, associated with the broader Late Harappan cultural horizon.
58. Which settlement is located in Afghanistan?
[SSC CPO 2017]
A. Shortughai
B. Lothal
C. Kalibangan
D. Harappa
Answer: A. Shortughai
Explanation: Shortughai represented the northeastern reach of Harappan commercial activity and stood close to important sources of lapis lazuli and Central Asian trade routes.
57. Which deity-like figure is commonly associated with a famous Harappan seal?
[SSC CGL 2017]
A. Pashupati-like figure
B. Krishna with flute
C. Buddha
D. Mahavira
Answer: A. Pashupati-like figure
Explanation: A seal from Mohenjo-daro shows a horned seated figure surrounded by animals. Earlier scholars interpreted it as a proto-Shiva or Pashupati figure, though interpretation remains debated.
56. Harappan society was primarily:
[SSC MTS 2017]
A. Urban
B. Exclusively nomadic
C. Cave-dwelling
D. Completely tribal
Answer: A. Urban
Explanation: Large planned settlements, specialized crafts, long-distance exchange and civic infrastructure clearly establish the mature Harappan Civilization as South Asia’s earliest major urban tradition.
55. Which civilization was particularly famous for systematic town planning?
[SSC CPO 2017]
A. Indus Valley Civilization
B. Mesolithic culture
C. Paleolithic culture
D. Megalithic culture
Answer: A. Indus Valley Civilization
Explanation: Harappan towns had regular street layouts, standardized construction, drainage networks and carefully differentiated neighbourhoods, demonstrating conscious planning on a large scale.
54. Which feature was NOT universal in major Harappan cities?
[SSC MTS 2017]
A. Irrigation canals
B. Baked-brick construction
C. Planned streets
D. Fortified sectors
Answer: A. Irrigation canals
Explanation: Urban planning, brick architecture and fortifications occur widely, whereas clear canal irrigation evidence is localized and cannot be treated as a universal Harappan urban feature.
53. Which metal was unknown to the Harappans?
[SSC CPO 2017]
A. Iron
B. Copper
C. Gold
D. Silver
Answer: A. Iron
Explanation: Mature Harappan artisans mastered copper, bronze and precious metals. Secure evidence for iron technology is absent and belongs primarily to subsequent archaeological periods.
52. The Indus script is:
[SSC MTS 2017]
A. Still undeciphered
B. Identical to Brahmi
C. Written in Devanagari
D. Fully translated
Answer: A. Still undeciphered
Explanation: Harappan inscriptions contain several hundred signs, but their language remains uncertain. Their brevity and absence of bilingual texts continue to prevent definitive decipherment.
51. Which city was situated on the Ravi?
[SSC MTS 2017]
A. Harappa
B. Mohenjo-daro
C. Lothal
D. Dholavira
Answer: A. Harappa
Explanation: Harappa occupied a location near an old course of the Ravi in Punjab, providing access to fertile land and wider riverine communication networks.
