Prehistory & Harappan Civilisation PYQs

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1. Prelims 2026Q1Prehistory & Harappan Civilisation

   Consider the following assertion :

   In the Pleistocene period either the Yamuna once flowed into the Indus, or the Sutlej flowed into the Yamuna and one major tributary of either had shifted from the Ganga to the Indus or vice versa.

   Which of the following is/are the basis of the above assertion ?

   1.The Nadi-Sukta of the Rigveda

   2.The explorations of the Sutlej and the Yamuna by Robert Bruce Foote

   3.The presence of the same species of dolphins in both the Indus and the Ganga river systems

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 onlyb2 onlyc1 and 2d3
2. Prelims 2026Q18Prehistory & Harappan Civilisation

   Consider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns :

   I.There is wide occurrence of spindle-whorls in the houses but absence of spinning wheels.

   II.Weights and measurement scales, complete with graduations have been discovered.

   III.There are houses built in large part with baked bricks, around relatively spacious courtyards, with their own wells, bathing platforms, and large rooms.

   Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements ?

   1.Statement I suggests that spinning was a laborious activity done at home.

   2.Statement II suggests the extent of the scientific knowledge that the Harappans possessed.

   3.Statement III suggests the emergence of a common property system.

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 and 2 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
3. Prelims 2025Q72Prehistory & Harappan Civilisation

   The famous female figurine known as 'Dancing Girl', found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of

   acarnelianbclaycbronzedgold
4. Prelims 2024Q55Prehistory & Harappan Civilisation

   Consider the following information :

   Archaeological Site	State	Description
   1. Chandraketugarh	Odisha	Trading Port town
   2. Inamgaon	Maharashtra	Chalcolithic site
   3. Mangadu	Kerala	Megalithic site
   4. Salihundam	Andhra Pradesh	Rock-cut cave shrines

   In which of the above rows is the given information correctly matched ?

   a1 and 2b2 and 3c3 and 4d1 and 4
5. Prelims 2021Q32Prehistory & Harappan Civilisation

   Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs?

   aDholavirabKalibangancRakhigarhidRopar
6. Prelims 2021Q37Prehistory & Harappan Civilisation

   Consider the following pairs :

   ( Historical place ) ( Well-known for )

   1.Burzahom : Rock-cut shrines

   2.Chandraketugarh : Terracotta art

   3.Ganeshwar : Copper artefacts

   Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

   a1 onlyb1 and 2c3 onlyd2 and 3
7. Prelims 2019Q7Prehistory & Harappan Civilisation

   Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?

   aChanhudarobKot DijicSohgauradDesalpur
8. Prelims 2013Q45Prehistory & Harappan Civilisation

   Which of the following characterizes/characterize the people of Indus Civilization?

   1.They possessed great palaces and temples.

   2.They worshipped both male and female deities.

   3.They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare.

   Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below.

   a1 and 2 onlyb2 onlyc1, 2 and 3dNone of the statements given above is correct
9. Prelims 2011Q92Prehistory & Harappan Civilisation

   Regarding the Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following statements :

   1.It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene.

   2.During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
10. Prelims 2002Q15Prehistory & Harappan Civilisation

    Match List I (Ancient site) with List II (Archaeological finding) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

    List I (Ancient site)

    A.Lothal

    B.Kalibangan

    C.Dholavira

    D.Banawali

    List II (Archaeological finding)

    1.Ploughed field

    2.Dockyard

    3.Terracotta replica of a plough

    4.An inscription comprising ten large-sized signs of the Harappan script

    aA-1, B-2, C-3, D-4bA-2, B-1, C-4, D-3cA-1, B-2, C-4, D-3dA-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
11. Prelims 2001Q47Prehistory & Harappan Civilisation

    Which one of the following animals was NOT represented on the seals and terracotta art of the Harappan culture?

    aCowbElephantcRhinocerosdTiger