150. Fire altars are particularly associated with which Harappan site?
[NDA-II 2022]
A. Kalibangan
B. Alamgirpur
C. Manda
D. Ropar
Answer: A. Kalibangan
Explanation: Kalibangan produced installations interpreted as ritual fire altars, especially within fortified areas. The site is also celebrated for evidence of a ploughed agricultural field.
149. Harappa and Mohenjo-daro belong to which civilization?
[WBCS/WBPSC 2022]
A. Egyptian
B. Sumerian
C. Indus Valley
D. Roman
Answer: C. Indus Valley
Explanation: Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were the first major urban sites whose excavation revealed the previously unknown Bronze Age civilization now called Harappan or Indus Valley.
148. Which portion of a Harappan city was generally smaller, elevated and often fortified?
[SSC CGL 2022]
A. Citadel
B. Lower town
C. Port quarter
D. Agricultural field
Answer: A. Citadel
Explanation: Archaeologists use “citadel” for the elevated western sector of many Harappan cities. It contained important public or specialized structures and was often enclosed by walls.
147. Which of the following was normally located outside the Harappan citadel?
[SSC CPO 2022]
A. Public residential quarters
B. Major granary
C. Large bath complex
D. Certain ritual installations
Answer: A. Public residential quarters
Explanation: Ordinary residential neighbourhoods generally occupied the extensive lower town, while the elevated citadel contained prominent communal, administrative or specialized structures.
146. The famous site Rakhigarhi belongs to which state?
[SSC 2022]
A. Haryana
B. Gujarat
C. Rajasthan
D. Punjab
Answer: A. Haryana
Explanation: Rakhigarhi lies in Hisar district of Haryana. Its vast archaeological area establishes it as one of the largest settlements of the Harappan cultural system.
145. Which site was situated near the Bolan Pass and represents an important precursor to Harappan civilization?
[SSC CGL 2022]
A. Mehrgarh
B. Lothal
C. Alamgirpur
D. Banawali
Answer: A. Mehrgarh
Explanation: Mehrgarh in Balochistan developed near the Bolan Pass. Its Neolithic and Chalcolithic sequence documents early agriculture, pastoralism and crafts preceding Harappan urbanization.
144. Which Harappan centre was noted for advanced water harvesting rather than a dockyard?
[SSC 2022]
A. Dholavira
B. Lothal
C. Chanhudaro
D. Harappa
Answer: A. Dholavira
Explanation: Dholavira’s defining feature is its carefully engineered water-storage system, whereas Lothal is traditionally associated with a dockyard and maritime commerce.
143. Which feature distinguished Dholavira from many other Harappan cities?
[SSC 2022]
A. Threefold urban division
B. Complete absence of fortification
C. Use of iron pillars
D. Buddhist monasteries
Answer: A. Threefold urban division
Explanation: Dholavira possessed citadel, middle town and lower town sectors. Its substantial use of stone and sophisticated reservoirs further distinguished its architecture from many Harappan centres.
142. Which ancient town is famous for dams, channels and interconnected reservoirs used for water management?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2021]
A. Dholavira
B. Kalibangan
C. Rakhigarhi
D. Ropar
Answer: A. Dholavira
Explanation: Dholavira transformed seasonal runoff into stored water through dams, drains and reservoirs. Its engineering represents one of the most sophisticated water-management systems of ancient South Asia.
141. Which Indus site was the first to be discovered archaeologically?
[RRB NTPC 2021]
A. Mohenjo-daro
B. Harappa
C. Lothal
D. Kalibangan
Answer: B. Harappa
Explanation: Daya Ram Sahni began major excavation at Harappa in 1921. Its discovery preceded R. D. Banerji’s excavation of Mohenjo-daro and gave the civilization its name.
