Indus Valley Civilization MCQ: Rakhigarhi, the Dancing Girl Statue & Aryan Homeland Theories

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

1. Q1.The lipstick was found at which site?

   • A.Lothal
   • B.Chanhudaro✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Kalibangan
   • D.Banawali

   Explanation: Archaeological findings such as lipsticks and toys have been recovered from Chanhudaro.

2. Q2.A small terracotta bead coated with gold was found at:

   • A.Mandi
   • B.Alamgirpur✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Hulas
   • D.Ropar

   Explanation: A small terracotta bead-like structure coated with gold was discovered at the Alamgirpur site.

3. Q3.Which site had a "citadel" and "lower town" but no specific third division?

   • A.Dholavira
   • B.Harappa
   • C.Mohenjodaro
   • D.Both Harappa and Mohenjodaro✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Harappa and Mohenjodaro generally followed the two-mound system (Citadel and Lower Town), unlike Dholavira which had three divisions.

4. Q4.Which colour was commonly used for Harappan Pottery?

   • A.Blue
   • B.Red✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Yellow
   • D.Green

   Explanation: Harappan pottery is typically bright or dark red, often with black painted designs.

5. Q5.Where was the "Bead Maker's Shop" found?

   • A.Lothal and Chanhudaro✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Harappa and Mohenjodaro
   • C.Kalibangan and Banawali
   • D.Dholavira and Ropar

   Explanation: A bead-making factory was found at Chanhudaro and a bead maker's shop was found at Lothal.

6. Q6.Who excavated the site of Ropar?

   • A.Y.D. Sharma✓ Correct Answer
   • B.B.B. Lal
   • C.S.R. Rao
   • D.R.S. Bisht

   Explanation: Ropar was excavated by Y.D. Sharma (Yashdatt Sharma) between 1953-55, following its discovery by B.B. Lal.

7. Q7.Which site is located on the bank of river Chenab?

   • A.Manda✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Ropar
   • C.Harappa
   • D.Daimabad

   Explanation: Manda, the northernmost site of the civilization, is situated on the right bank of the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir.

8. Q8.Which site is associated with "Painted Grey Ware" (PGW) culture?

   • A.Dadheri✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Harappa
   • C.Mohenjodaro
   • D.Lothal

   Explanation: Dadheri (Punjab) is a site known for the Painted Grey Ware culture, which is associated with the later arrival of Aryans.

9. Q9.Which site yields evidence of a "Pot Burial"?

   • A.Surkotada✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Dholavira
   • C.Lothal
   • D.Harappa

   Explanation: Excavations at Surkotada revealed evidence of pot burials along with horse bones.

10. Q10.Who discovered the site of Rakhigarhi?

    • A.Surajbhan✓ Correct Answer
    • B.R.S. Bisht
    • C.Amalananda Ghosh
    • D.J.P. Joshi

    Explanation: The site of Rakhigarhi was discovered by Surajbhan in 1969.

11. Q11.Which tree is often depicted on Harappan seals and was likely worshipped?

    • A.Peepal✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Neem
    • C.Banyan
    • D.Mango

    Explanation: The Peepal tree is frequently depicted on seals and is believed to have been worshipped by the Harappan people.

12. Q12.The "Great Bath" was likely used for:

    • A.Swimming
    • B.Ritual Bathing✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Washing clothes
    • D.Irrigation

    Explanation: Scholars believe the Great Bath was used for special ritual baths on religious occasions.

13. Q13.The Indus Valley Civilization is considered "Proto-historic" because:

    • A.It has no script.
    • B.Its script is undeciphered.✓ Correct Answer
    • C.It has written literature.
    • D.It is from the Stone Age.

    Explanation: The Proto-historic period is defined as a period with a script that has not yet been deciphered.

14. Q14.Which of the following was NOT a feature of Harappan town planning?

    • A.Grid system of roads
    • B.Covered drains
    • C.Use of burnt bricks
    • D.Iron pillars✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Iron was unknown to the Harappans; they used burnt bricks and had advanced drainage and grid systems.

15. Q15.The "Dancing Girl" statue is made of:

    • A.Stone
    • B.Bronze✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Terracotta
    • D.Gold

    Explanation: The famous Dancing Girl statue found at Mohenjodaro is made of bronze using the lost-wax technique.

16. Q16.Which site has given evidence of "surgical" practices (trepanning) in the Stone Age context?

    • A.Burzahom✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Harappa
    • C.Kalibangan
    • D.Lothal

    Explanation: Skulls with trepanning marks (drilled holes) found at Burzahom suggest early surgical practices.

17. Q17.Who wrote "The Arctic Home in the Vedas"?

    • A.Max Muller
    • B.Bal Gangadhar Tilak✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Dayanand Saraswati
    • D.A.C. Das

    Explanation: Bal Gangadhar Tilak wrote 'The Arctic Home in the Vedas', proposing the theory that the Aryans originated from the Arctic region.

18. Q18.Which river is referred to as 'Hiranyani' in Rigveda?

    • A.Saraswati
    • B.Sindhu (Indus)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ganga
    • D.Yamuna

    Explanation: The Indus River is referred to as 'Hiranyani' in the Rigveda due to its economic importance.

19. Q19.Which Harappan site is located in the Kutch district?

    • A.Lothal
    • B.Surkotada✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Rangpur
    • D.Bhagwanpura

    Explanation: Surkotada is the Harappan site located in the Kutch district of Gujarat.

20. Q20.The "Seven Indus States" theory for Aryan homeland was proposed by:

    • A.Dr. Avinash Chandra Das✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Max Muller
    • C.Gangadhar Tilak
    • D.Gordon Childe

    Explanation: The theory that the Aryans originated from the Sapta Sindhu region was proposed by Dr. Avinash Chandra Das.