140. Harappa was situated on the bank of which river?
[RRB NTPC 2021]
A. Ravi
B. Jhelum
C. Indus
D. Ganga
Answer: A. Ravi
Explanation: Harappa developed along an old course of the Ravi in Punjab. River systems supported agriculture, transport and settlement throughout much of the Harappan domain.
139. Who excavated Mohenjo-daro and recognized its archaeological significance?
[RRB NTPC 2021]
A. R. D. Banerji
B. Daya Ram Sahni
C. S. R. Rao
D. B. B. Lal
Answer: A. R. D. Banerji
Explanation: Rakhaldas Banerji excavated Mohenjo-daro in the early 1920s. Together with discoveries at Harappa, the finds led John Marshall to announce the ancient civilization.
138. Mohenjo-daro is located in which present-day Pakistani province?
[RRB NTPC 2021]
A. Punjab
B. Sindh
C. Balochistan
D. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Answer: B. Sindh
Explanation: Mohenjo-daro lies in Sindh near the Indus River. It became one of the most extensively excavated and best-known urban centres of Harappan civilization.
137. Which Harappan site in Gujarat is famous for reservoirs?
[RRB NTPC 2021]
A. Dholavira
B. Manda
C. Alamgirpur
D. Hulas
Answer: A. Dholavira
Explanation: Dholavira’s huge stone-lined reservoirs collected and conserved scarce water. Its hydraulic infrastructure was crucial because the settlement occupied an environmentally challenging region.
136. Which Harappan site was NOT primarily a craft-production centre?
[RRB NTPC 2021]
A. Balakot
B. Manda
C. Chanhudaro
D. Nageshwar
Answer: B. Manda
Explanation: Chanhudaro, Balakot and Nageshwar are associated with specialized craft production such as beads and shell work. Manda was a northern frontier settlement rather than a major craft centre.
135. Who began systematic excavations at Dholavira in 1990?
[SSC CHSL 2021]
A. R. S. Bisht
B. S. R. Rao
C. M. S. Vats
D. R. D. Banerji
Answer: A. R. S. Bisht
Explanation: Archaeologist R. S. Bisht led major excavations at Dholavira, revealing its unique town planning, extensive water structures, fortifications and famous large-script signboard.
134. Terracotta models of ploughs have been found at:
[SSC CHSL 2021]
A. Banawali
B. Mohenjo-daro
C. Harappa
D. Balakot
Answer: A. Banawali
Explanation: Banawali yielded terracotta plough models, giving direct archaeological evidence of agricultural equipment. Such finds complement the excavated furrows known from Kalibangan.
133. Which Harappan site is situated in Afghanistan?
[SSC MTS 2021]
A. Shortughai
B. Kalibangan
C. Lothal
D. Surkotada
Answer: A. Shortughai
Explanation: Shortughai shows that Harappan commercial influence extended far beyond the Indus basin. Its location connected Harappan merchants with Central Asian mineral resources.
132. Which of these Harappan sites is NOT located in Pakistan?
[SSC MTS 2021]
A. Shortughai
B. Kot Diji
C. Balakot
D. Chanhudaro
Answer: A. Shortughai
Explanation: Shortughai lies in present-day Afghanistan, whereas Kot Diji, Balakot and Chanhudaro are within modern Pakistan and formed part of the broader Harappan cultural region.
131. Which Harappan settlement in India lies in Haryana?
[SSC 2021]
A. Rakhigarhi
B. Lothal
C. Kalibangan
D. Dholavira
Answer: A. Rakhigarhi
Explanation: Rakhigarhi is located in Haryana and covers an exceptionally large archaeological area. It preserves evidence from different stages of the Harappan cultural sequence.
