Indus Valley Civilization MCQ: Discovery of Harappa & Mohenjodaro

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Who announced the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization to the world?

   • A.Dayaram Sahni
   • B.Rakhal Das Banerji
   • C.Sir John Marshall✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Alexander Cunningham

   Explanation: Based on the finds of seals at Harappa and Mohenjodaro, Sir John Marshall, the then Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), announced the discovery of a new civilization in the Indus valley to the world.

2. Q2.Which method indicates the accepted date of the Harappan Civilization as 2300 BC – 1700 BC?

   • A.Dendrochronology
   • B.Stratigraphy
   • C.Carbon-14 (C14) dating✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Paleography

   Explanation: The Carbon-14 (C14) dating process indicates the Harappan period to be from 2300 BC to 1700 BC, which is highly accepted among scholars.

3. Q3.Who called Harappa and Mohenjodaro the "Twin Capitals of an Extensive Kingdom"?

   • A.Stuart Piggott✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Mortimer Wheeler
   • C.Gordon Childe
   • D.John Marshall

   Explanation: According to Stuart Piggott, the two cities, Harappa and Mohenjodaro, were the "Twin capital of an Extensive Kingdom".

4. Q4.What was the total approximate area covered by the Harappan culture?

   • A.5 lakh sq km
   • B.10 lakh sq km
   • C.13 lakh sq km✓ Correct Answer
   • D.20 lakh sq km

   Explanation: The area formed a triangle and accounted for about 13 lakhs square kilometers, which is larger than Pakistan and certainly bigger than ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

5. Q5.Which site represents the northernmost limit of the Indus Valley Civilization?

   • A.Daimabad
   • B.Manda✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Alamgirpur
   • D.Sutkagen Dor

   Explanation: The civilization extended from Manda (Jammu and Kashmir) in the north to Daimabad (Maharashtra) in the south.

6. Q6.Where is the easternmost site of the Harappan Civilization located?

   • A.Sutkagen Dor
   • B.Ropar
   • C.Alamgirpur✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Rakhigarhi

   Explanation: The civilization extended from Sutkagen Dor in the west to Alamgirpur (Meerut, Uttar Pradesh) in the east.

7. Q7.Which ancient civilizations were contemporary to the Indus Valley Civilization?

   • A.Greek and Roman
   • B.Mesopotamia and Egypt✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Maya and Inca
   • D.Chinese and Sumerian only

   Explanation: Mesopotamia and Egyptian civilization are contemporary to the Indus civilization.

8. Q8.Who was the first archaeologist to visit Harappa in 1826 and report the vast mounds?

   • A.Alexander Cunningham
   • B.Charles Masson✓ Correct Answer
   • C.John Marshall
   • D.Daya Ram Sahni

   Explanation: The vast mounds of Harappa were first reported by Charles Masson in 1826.

9. Q9.Which race was NOT part of the population mixture found at Mohenjodaro?

   • A.Proto-Australoids
   • B.Mediterraneans
   • C.Alpines
   • D.Negritos✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The population of Mohenjodaro was a mixture of at least four species: Proto-Australoids, Mediterraneans, Alpines, and Mongoloids. Negritos are not mentioned in this list.

10. Q10.Who opined that the Indus Valley Civilization was founded by the Dravidians?

    • A.Dr. Laxman Swaroop
    • B.Rakhal Das Banerji✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Gordon Childe
    • D.Mortimer Wheeler

    Explanation: Rakhal Das Banerji opined that the founders of the Indus Valley Civilization were Dravidians.

11. Q11.On which river bank is Harappa located?

    • A.Indus
    • B.Ravi✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Chenab
    • D.Sutlej

    Explanation: Harappa is located on the left bank of the Ravi River.

12. Q12.In which current district is Harappa situated?

    • A.Larkana
    • B.Montgomery (Sahiwal)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Lahore
    • D.Karachi

    Explanation: Harappa is located in the Montgomery district (currently it is Sahiwal district) of Punjab province, Pakistan.

13. Q13.Who led the survey of Harappa in 1920-21?

    • A.Rakhal Das Banerji
    • B.Daya Ram Sahni✓ Correct Answer
    • C.N.G. Majumdar
    • D.S.R. Rao

    Explanation: During 1920-21, Mr. R.B. Dayaram Sahni surveyed the Harappa culture.

14. Q14.The granary at Harappa consisted of how many rooms?

    • A.6 rooms in one row
    • B.12 rooms (2 rows of 6)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.8 rooms
    • D.10 rooms

    Explanation: The remnants of Granary were available in the form of 12 rooms, which were arranged in the form of two rows each, having six rooms each.

15. Q15.What was the first artefact uncovered at Harappa?

    • A.Bronze dancing girl
    • B.Stone seal with unicorn✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Pashupati seal
    • D.Terracotta plough

    Explanation: The first artefact uncovered in Harappa was a unique stone seal carved with a unicorn and an inscription.

16. Q16.Which archaeologist started excavation at Harappa on a large scale in 1946?

    • A.M.S. Vats
    • B.Mortimer Wheeler✓ Correct Answer
    • C.J.P. Joshi
    • D.B.B. Lal

    Explanation: In 1946, Mr. Mortimer Wheeler started the excavation process on a large (extensive) scale at Harappa.

17. Q17.What is the literal meaning of 'Mohenjodaro' in Sindhi language?

    • A.City of Gold
    • B.Mound of the Dead men✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Garden of Sindh
    • D.Great Port

    Explanation: Mohenjodaro has been variously interpreted as "Mound of the dead men" in Sindhi language.

18. Q18.In which district is Mohenjodaro located?

    • A.Sahiwal
    • B.Larkana✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Montgomery
    • D.Kutch

    Explanation: Mohenjodaro is located on the right bank of the Indus River in Larkana District, Sindh, Pakistan.

19. Q19.Who discovered Mohenjodaro in 1922?

    • A.Daya Ram Sahni
    • B.Rakhal Das Banerji✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Aurel Stein
    • D.Gopal Majumdar

    Explanation: Mohenjodaro was discovered by Rakhal Das Banerjee in 1922.

20. Q20.What is considered the most important public place of Mohenjodaro?

    • A.The Granary
    • B.The Assembly Hall
    • C.The Great Bath✓ Correct Answer
    • D.The Dockyard

    Explanation: The most important public place of Mohenjodaro seems to be the Great Bath, used for ritual bathing.