Mastering Parajumbles: Tips, Tricks, and Examples for Competitive Exams

The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), also known as the Harappan Civilization, is one of the world's earliest and most advanced urban cultures.

It flourished around the Indus River, and it left a lasting impact with its well-planned cities, amazing buildings, and far-reaching trade routes.. Whether you're preparing for competitive exams like SSC, Railway, or UPSC, understanding the Indus Valley Civilization is essential.

Quick Notes

If you're reading this for concept building, we suggest you quickly review the summary and key topics of the earlier chapter Prehistoric India. If you're short on time, feel free to jump straight to the Indus Valley Civilization's most important questions for exams below!

• Time Period: 3500-1400 BC
• Regions Covered: Parts of Pakistan, India, Afghanistan
• Major Rivers: Indus, Ravi, Sutlej, Bhogavo, Ghaggar, Luni
• Key Features: Grid-pattern cities, advanced drainage, artificial dockyards
• Economy: Agriculture-based, extensive trade with Mesopotamia
• Writing System: Pictographic, undeciphered

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Timeline of the Indus Valley Civilization

Understanding the timeline helps grasp the evolution and decline of the civilization.

Phase	Period (BC)	Key Features
Early Phase	3500-2600	Formation of villages, initial urban planning
Mature Phase	2600-1900	Peak of civilization, major cities, advanced infrastructure
Later Phase	1900-1400	Decline, reduced urbanization, gradual abandonment

Geographic Spread

The Indus Valley Civilization spanned a vast area across modern-day Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan. Here's a snapshot of its geographical extent:

Region	Modern-Day Areas
Pakistan	Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan
India	Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Jammu, Kashmir
Afghanistan	Northwestern regions

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Major Cities and Their Significance

Each major city contributed uniquely to the civilization’s legacy. Here’s a quick look:

City	Location	River	Notable Features
Harappa	Punjab, Pakistan	Ravi River	Granaries, advanced drainage systems
Mohenjodaro	Sindh, Pakistan	Indus River	The Great Bath, Granary, Proto-Shiva seals
Lothal	Gujarat, India	Bhogavo River	Artificial dockyard, maritime trade
Dholavira	Gujarat, India	Luni River	Water reservoirs, stadium, sophisticated drainage
Kalibangan	Rajasthan, India	Ghaggar River	Ploughed fields, fire altars, well-planned streets
Rakhigarhi	Haryana, India	Ghaggar River	Largest known Harappan site
Chanhudaro	Sindh, Pakistan	Indus River	Terracotta bullock carts, no citadel
Surkotada	Gujarat, India	-	Pot burials, remains of rhinoceros
Ropar	Punjab, India	Sutlej River	Dog burials, stone and soil buildings
Banawali	Haryana, India	Ghaggar River	Radial streets, largest number of barley grains

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Urban Planning and Architecture

Harappan cities were marvels of ancient urban planning. Here's what set them apart:

• Grid-Pattern Streets: Organized streets for efficient movement.
• Citadel and Lower Town:
  • Citadel: Upper part with public buildings and elites.
  • Lower Town: Inhabited by common people.
• Advanced Drainage Systems: Underground drains connected all houses, ensuring sanitation.
• Standardized Buildings: Made of burnt bricks, often two stories high with courtyards and tiled bathrooms.
• Public Structures:
  • The Great Bath (Mohenjodaro): Used for religious bathing.
  • Granaries (Harappa): Centralized storage for agricultural surplus.
  • Artificial Dockyard (Lothal): Facilitated maritime trade.

Economy and Agriculture

Agriculture was the backbone of the Indus Valley economy. Key points include:

• Fertile Land: Benefited from river flooding.
• Tools: Wooden ploughshares and stone sickles.
• Crops Cultivated:
  • Staples: Wheat, barley, rice, peas, sesamum, mustard, millet, ragi, bajra, jowar.
  • Others: Dates, cotton (first to produce cotton).
• Animal Domestication:
  • Common Animals: Buffaloes, oxen, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, cats.
  • Others: Elephants, asses.
  • Notable Finds: Horses at Surkotada, rhinoceros at Amri; lions absent.

Trade and Commerce

The Indus Valley Civilization had a vibrant trade network:

• Trade Systems: Primarily barter-based, no evidence of coins.
• Transportation: Bullock carts and boats.
• Weights and Measures:
  • Materials: Limestone and steatite.
  • Standardization: Cubical shapes, multiples of sixteen; early decimal system.
• Foreign Trade Partners:
  • Mesopotamia (Iraq), Central Asia, Persia, Afghanistan, Bahrain.
  • Sumerian Texts: Refer to trade with Meluha (Indus).
  • Artifacts: Harappan seals found in Mesopotamia, Mesopotamian items in Indus sites.
• Exports:
  • Agricultural products, cotton goods, terracotta figurines, pottery, steatite beads, conch-shells, ivory products, copper.
• Imports:
  • Metals: Gold, silver, copper, tin.
  • Precious Stones: Lapis lazuli, sapphire, jade, turquoise, amethyst.
  • Others: Steatite from Shaher-i-Sokhta and Kirthar hills.

Art and Crafts

The Harappans were skilled artisans:

• Beads and Jewelry: Made of gold, silver, precious stones.
• Textiles: Cotton and woolen fabrics.
• Pottery: Plain (red) and painted (red and black) with human figures, plants, animals, geometric patterns.
• Seals: Steatite seals with images of bulls, buffaloes, tigers, rhinoceroses, goats, and elephants.
• Statues and Figurines:
  • Bronze: Dancing girl, bearded man.
  • Terracotta: Toys, worship objects, animals, toy carts.

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Religion and Social Structure

Harappan society was complex and largely egalitarian:

• Deities and Worship:
  • Mother Goddess: Terracotta figures symbolizing fertility and earth.
  • Pashupati Mahadeva (Proto-Shiva): Depicted on seals in yogic postures surrounded by animals.
  • Lingam and Yoni Worship: Symbolic of divine generative forces.
  • Nature Worship: Trees (pipal), animals (bull, birds, dove, pigeon).
  • Amulets: For protection against evil forces.
  • Fire Altars: Evidence at Lothal and Kalibangan.
  • Snake Worship: Found through artifacts and symbols.
• Burial Practices:
  • Orientation: Generally north-south.
  • Forms: Complete, fractional, pot burials, megalithic burials, double burials.
• Social Hierarchy: Evidence suggests a fairly egalitarian society with no clear signs of kingship or slavery.

Writing System

The Indus script remains one of the great mysteries:

• Nature: Pictographic and undeciphered.
• Characteristics:
  • Symbols: Included fish, animals, abstract shapes.
  • Writing Style: Boustrophedon (alternating direction in lines).
• Challenges: Lack of bilingual inscriptions like the Rosetta Stone makes decipherment difficult.

Technology and Metallurgy

The Harappans were technologically advanced:

• Metallurgy:
  • Bronze Tools and Weapons: Made by alloying copper with tin.
  • Copper Chisels and Bronze Axes: Reflecting advanced metalworking.
• Shipbuilding: Evidenced by the dockyard at Lothal.
• Water Management: Advanced systems including reservoirs, canals, drainage.
• Tools: Primarily stone and bronze; no evidence of iron usage.

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Decline of the Civilization

The decline of the Indus Valley Civilization is still debated, with several theories:

• Environmental Factors:
  • Climate Change: Shifts leading to droughts.
  • River Course Changes: Affecting water supply and trade routes.
  • Floods and Natural Disasters: Damaging infrastructure.
• Economic Factors:
  • Decline in Trade: Reduced interaction with Mesopotamia.
  • Resource Scarcity: Deforestation, ecological imbalances.
• Social Factors:
  • Internal Conflicts: Possible societal upheavals.
• Theories:
  • External Aggression: Minimal evidence.
  • Epidemics: Potential spread of diseases.
  • Tectonic Disturbances: Earthquakes affecting cities like Dholavira.
  • Gradual Abandonment: Due to a combination of factors rather than sudden events.

Archaeological Finds and Their Significance

Key discoveries provide insights into Harappan life:

Site	Key Finds
Harappa	Granaries, stone symbols (lingam and yoni), clay figures, copper scales, bronze sculptures
Mohenjodaro	The Great Bath, Granary, Proto-Shiva seals, bronze dancing girl, steatite bearded man
Kalibangan	Ploughed fields, fire altars, decorated bricks, bangle factories, toy cart wheels
Chanhudaro	Terracotta bullock carts, inkpots, lipstick containers, bronze toy carts
Dholavira	Water reservoirs, stadium, rock-cut architecture, megalithic burials
Lothal	Artificial dockyard, terracotta ships, grinding machines, fire altars
Rakhigarhi	Extensive urban layout, indicating it as the largest site
Surkotada	Fortified citadels, pot burials, remains of rhinoceros
Ropar	Dog burials, stone and soil buildings
Banawali	Radial streets, largest number of barley grains, oval-shaped settlement
Rangpur	Rice cultivation evidence

Legacy and Influence

The Indus Valley Civilization's advancements have had a lasting impact:

• Urban Planning: Grid-pattern cities and drainage systems influenced later urban developments.
• Agricultural Practices: Innovations in irrigation and crop cultivation techniques.
• Trade Networks: Established long-distance trade routes facilitating cultural and economic exchanges.
• Craftsmanship: Expertise in metallurgy, bead-making, and pottery inspired future artisans.
• Religious Practices: Elements like goddess worship and animal deities resonate in later Hindu traditions.
• Writing System: Although undeciphered, the Indus script remains a subject of fascination and study.

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Additional Key Points for Competitive Exams

• Swastika Symbol: Originated in the Indus Valley Civilization, symbolizing good fortune.
• Cotton Production: Harappans were the first to cultivate and produce cotton.
• Granaries: Multiple granaries indicate centralized storage and surplus management.
• Street Lighting: Regular lamp-posts suggest organized urban infrastructure.
• Megalithic Burials: Found at sites like Dholavira, indicating varied burial practices.
• Stadium at Dholavira: Suggests organized public activities or sports.
• No Evidence of Kingship: Absence of palaces points towards a non-monarchical society.
• Standardized Brick Sizes and Measures: Reflect administrative control and economic integration.
• Advanced Water Management: Including reservoirs, canals, and sophisticated drainage systems.
• Artistic Representations: Seals depicting deities and animals provide insights into beliefs and societal structure.
• Boustrophedon Writing Style: Unique writing orientation used in the Indus script.
• Iron Not Known: The Harappans did not utilize iron, relying on bronze and copper instead.

Most Important MCQs on Indus Valley Civilization

Here are the most important questions about the Indus Valley Civilization to help you do well on exams like the SSC, Railway, and UPSC.

Remember, these are just the top 30 most repeated MCQs from this topic that we believe are crucial for competitive exams. If you'd like to explore more, you can practice the complete Indus Valley MCQ set here after going through these questions!

Click on the options to see the right answers!

Practice Show All Answers

Q1: In which year was the Harappan civilization first discovered?

A) 1905

B) 1921

C) 1926

D) 1932

The Harappan civilization was first discovered in 1921 when archaeologist Daya Ram Sahni led the excavation at the site of Harappa in Punjab, present-day Pakistan.

Q2: Which of the following was NOT a Harappan city?

A) Lothal

B) Dholavira

C) Mehrgarh

D) Sokhta Koh

Mehrgarh is a Neolithic site located near the Bolan Pass in Pakistan and predates the Harappan cities. It is not considered a city of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Q3: What was the primary occupation of the people of the Indus Valley Civilization?

A) Agriculture

B) Warfare

C) Hunting

D) Fishing

The primary occupation of the Indus Valley people was agriculture, cultivating crops such as wheat, barley, rice, dates, mustard, and cotton. They were also among the first to cultivate and produce cotton textiles.

Q4: Who was appointed as the Director of the Archaeological Department of India by the British Government?

A) Charles Darwin

B) Alexander Lewis

C) John Marshall

D) Lord Bentinck

John Marshall was appointed by the British Government to head the Archaeological Department of India due to his interest in studying the Harappan civilization. He commissioned excavations at Harappa, appointing Dayaram Sahni to lead the efforts.

Q5: What was the social system of the Harappan civilization?

A) Fairly egalitarian

B) Slave Labour based

C) Colour Varna based

D) Caste based

The Harappan social system was fairly egalitarian, as archaeological evidence shows no signs of slavery, kingship, or social conflicts. This suggests a society based on equality and equal rights.

Q6: Which of the following was common to both the Harappan and Rigvedic societies?

A) Horse

B) Female deities

C) Urban centers

D) Iron implements

The presence of horses is a common feature in both Harappan society and the Rigvedic society, indicating cultural or technological exchange between the two.

Q7: The Indus Valley Civilization type was found in which regions?

A) Sumer

B) Egypt

C) China

D) All of the above

The Indus Valley Civilization is one of the major early civilizations alongside others such as Sumer in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China. These civilizations developed independently in response to their environments and human needs.

Q8: On the banks of which river is Harappa situated?

A) Indus

B) Sutlej

C) Ravi

D) Chenab

Harappa is located on the banks of the Ravi River in Punjab, Pakistan, approximately 20 kilometers west of Sahiwal city.

Q9: Which Indus Valley Civilization site is known for having the only artificial brick dockyard?

A) Lothal

B) Kalibangan

C) Harappa

D) Mohenjo Daro

Lothal, located in Gujarat, is the only known Indus Valley Civilization site to have an artificial brick dockyard, indicating its significance as a major port city for trade.

Q10: The Great Bath of the Indus Valley Civilization was discovered at which site?

A) Harappa

B) Mohenjo-Daro

C) Ropar

D) Kalibangan

The Great Bath, a large public bathing structure, was found at Mohenjo-Daro in Sindh, Pakistan, highlighting the advanced urban planning and ritualistic practices of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Q11: Which of the following has not been discovered in the excavations of Harappan sites?

A) Drains and wells

B) Forts

C) Reservoirs

D) Temples with Shikhar

Archaeological excavations of Harappan sites have not uncovered temples with Shikhar (spire), suggesting that such religious structures were not part of Harappan architecture.

Q12: At which site of the Indus Valley Civilization was a dockyard discovered?

A) Chanhudaro

B) Lothal

C) Kalibangan

D) Banawali

A dockyard was discovered at Lothal, a prominent Indus Valley Civilization site in Gujarat, indicating the civilization's advanced maritime trade capabilities.

Q13: Which of the following was the most extensive city of the Indus Valley Civilization?

a) Rakhigarhi

b) Lothal

c) Ropar

d) Banavali

Rakhigarhi, located in Haryana, India, is considered the largest known city of the Indus Valley Civilization, based on its extensive archaeological remains.

Q14: The earliest city among the following, discovered in India was?

A) Harappa

B) Punjab

C) Mohenjo Daro

D) Sindh

Harappa is recognized as one of the earliest cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, with its origins tracing back to around 6000 B.C. in the region of present-day Pakistan and northwest India.

Q15: The dockyard at Lothal was well connected with which river?

a) Tapti

b) Narmada

c) Bhogavo

d) Ghaggar

The dockyard at Lothal was intricately connected to the Bhogavo River, facilitating trade and maritime activities of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Q16: The Harappans did not utilize which of the following materials?

A) Copper

B) Bronze

C) Gold

D) Iron

Iron was not used in Harappan cities. The civilization primarily used materials such as copper, bronze, and gold for tools and artifacts, marking its progress beyond the Chalcolithic period but not into the Iron Age.

Q17: Which state in post-independence India has the largest number of Indus Valley Civilization sites?

a) Haryana

b) Punjab

c) Gujarat

d) Rajasthan

Gujarat accounts for the highest number of Indus Valley Civilization sites in post-independence India, with prominent sites like Lothal and Dholavira.

Q18: The seals of Mohenjo-Daro were similar to those of which civilization?

A) Afghanistan

B) Sumeria

C) Egypt

D) Mesopotamia

The seals of Mohenjo-Daro, which depict creatures resembling a half-human, half-buffalo attacking a tiger, show similarities to Sumerian mythology, indicating possible cultural influences or shared symbolic motifs between the Indus Valley and Mesopotamian civilizations.

Q19: Which person drew the map of Harappa for the first time?

A) James Renal

B) Alexander Cunningham

C) Charles Darwin

D) Alexander Lewis

Alexander Cunningham, an archaeologist, was instrumental in mapping Harappa during the early excavations conducted while establishing railway lines from Lahore to Karachi.

Q20: Which animal appears most frequently in the pictographic script of the Indus Valley Civilization?

A) Fish

B) Lion

C) Elephant

D) Horses

Fish are the most commonly depicted animal in the Indus script's pictographs, likely reflecting the civilization's close relationship with riverine environments and their dependence on fishing.

Q21: The connection between the ancient Indus Valley culture and modern Hinduism is evidenced by the worship of?

A) Pashupati, Indra and the Mother Goddess

B) Stones, trees and animals

C) Vishnu and Lakshmi

D) Shiva and Shakti

Archaeological findings indicate that the Indus Valley Civilization practiced animal, stone, and nature worship, which aligns with certain aspects of modern Hindu worship practices.

Q22: Which city of the Indus Valley Civilization is referred to as the 'Mound of the Dead'?

A) Sutka Gendor

B) Manda

C) Harappa

D) Mohenjo Daro

Mohenjo Daro, one of the major urban centers of the Indus Valley Civilization, is often called the 'Mound of the Dead' due to the numerous burials and unexcavated areas that suggest extensive mortuary practices.

Q23: At which site was the couple burial discovered in the Harappan civilization?

A) Mohenjodaro

B) Harappa

C) Chanhu Daro

D) Lothal

A couple burial was found at Lothal, one of the southernmost cities of the Indus Valley Civilization located in Gujarat, indicating social or familial burial practices.

Q24: Which Indus Valley Civilization site provides evidence of a stadium?

a) Dholavira

b) Mohenjodaro

c) Kalibangan

d) Harappa

Dholavira offers evidence of a large open area with terraced stands, identified as a stadium, indicating the presence of organized public spaces for gatherings or sports in the Indus Valley Civilization.

Q25: The script of the Indus Valley Civilization was?

A) Dravidian

B) Persian

C) Sanskrit

D) Undecipherable

The script of the Indus Valley Civilization remains undeciphered, and its linguistic affiliation has not been conclusively established, although some theories suggest links to Dravidian languages.

Q26: Where do most of the rivers flowing through the Indus Valley Civilization originate?

A) From the Himalayas

B) From the Pamir Plateau

C) From Miyawali salt mountain range

D) None of these

Most rivers flowing through the Indus Valley Civilization, such as the Ravi, Indus, Sutlej, Ghaggar, and Beas, originate from the Himalayas, providing essential water resources for the civilization.

Q27: Remains of which animal have not been found in the Indus Valley Civilization?

A) Lion

B) Horse

C) Cow

D) Elephant

Archaeological evidence has not uncovered remains of lions in the Indus Valley Civilization, indicating that lions were not part of their fauna or symbolic representations.

Q28: The Harappans had commercial relations with which civilization?

A) China

B) Jawa

C) Mesopotamia

D) Burma (now Myanmar)

The Harappan civilization engaged in trade with Mesopotamia, as evidenced by ship remains and artifacts found in Mesopotamian ports indicating active commerce between the two civilizations.

Q29: Which was the only city of the Indus without fortification?

A) Kalibangan

B) Mohanjodaro

C) Chanhu Daro

D) Harappa

Chanhu Daro is the only harappan city which does not have a fortified citadel. The Chanhu Daro has given evidence of factories of various figurines, seals, toys, bone implements so it has been interpreted that it was a settlement with lots of artisans and was an industrial town.

Q30: Which was the biggest building in Mohanjodaro?

A) Great Bath

B) Granary

C) Huge Hall

D) Two Story Building

A granary has been found which the largest building of the Mohenjo-Daro.