Mock Test

Exam: BPSC Subject: Indian History Topic: Indus Valley Civilization

Total Questions: 20

Q1. The debate surrounding the decipherment of the Indus script and its potential connection to Dravidian languages hinges on which critical interpretive challenge?

The limited number of bilingual inscriptions available for comparative analysis. The extensive influence of Sanskritization on the proto-Dravidian vocabulary inferred from later texts. The ambiguity in distinguishing between pictographic representations and actual phonemic signs. The lack of definitive archaeological evidence for a post-Indus Dravidian cultural transition in the same geographical areas.
Q2. The Vedic corpus is generally considered to be older than the earliest extant texts of which civilization?

Mesopotamian Egyptian Chinese Greco-Roman
Q3. The discovery of granaries in major Indus cities suggests:

A society that experienced frequent famine, necessitating large storage facilities. A centralized system for the collection and storage of agricultural surplus, potentially for distribution or taxation. A practice of hoarding by individual wealthy families, with no communal benefit. A lack of advanced agricultural techniques, leading to a need to store inefficiently produced crops.
Q4. The Dravidian theory posits that the Indus Valley Civilization predates the arrival of:

Dravidians Mesopotamians Indo-Aryans Egyptians
Q5. The Indus Valley Civilization's contribution to the 'civilizational mosaic' of the world lies in its:

Unique artistic traditions and urban planning Military might and expansionism Philosophical treatises Democratic governance
Q6. Dholavira's water harvesting system was designed to store rainwater from:

The river Seasonal streams Monsoon rains Underground springs
Q7. The 'Sintashta culture' and its associated 'Andronovo horizon' in Central Asia are frequently linked to the Aryan migration theory due to the presence of certain shared cultural traits. Which of these traits is most salient?

Monumental pyramid construction. Advanced metalworking and chariot technology. Extensive maritime trade networks. Hieroglyphic writing systems.
Q8. The Early Harappan Phase, characterized by the development of village cultures and early urbanism, is generally dated to which period?

2500 BCE - 1900 BCE 1900 BCE - 1300 BCE 3300 BCE - 2600 BCE 2600 BCE - 1900 BCE
Q9. Which of the following rivers, besides the Indus, was crucial for the civilization's expansion?

Yamuna Ghatprabha Saraswati Mahanadi
Q10. While the Indus Valley Civilization is renowned for its urban planning, the absence of overtly monumental religious structures comparable to those of Mesopotamia or Egypt presents a unique architectural characteristic. This suggests:

A lack of organized religious beliefs and practices. A focus on domestic and civic architecture over religious edifices. The use of perishable materials for religious structures. A decentralized religious leadership that did not necessitate grand temples.
Q11. The Indus Valley Civilization's apparent lack of large-scale religious structures like temples or monumental religious statues raises questions about their religious practices. If future discoveries link specific Indus symbols or artifacts to later Vedic or post-Vedic religious traditions, it would significantly reshape our understanding of religious syncretism in ancient India. Which of the following potential links would be most impactful?

The association of the bull motif with fertility rites The 'Pashupati' seal's connection to Shiva worship The prevalence of mother goddess figurines The use of amulets for protection
Q12. Which museum in India prominently displays a comprehensive collection of pottery and ceramic ware from various Indus Valley sites, illustrating the evolution of decorative motifs and firing techniques?

Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata National Museum, Delhi Archaeological Museum, Agra Allahabad Museum
Q13. The material used for waterproofing the Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro was likely:

Lime plaster Bitumen (tar) Clay mortar Wood shavings
Q14. The focus on water management, including wells and bathing areas, within Indus Valley settlements underscores a profound cultural significance attached to water, which is a theme strongly reiterated and elaborated upon in later Indian architectural traditions through:

The construction of dry toilets The prevalence of arid landscape architecture The development of elaborate stepwells, water tanks, and riverfront ghats The absence of water features in religious buildings
Q15. The religious beliefs of the Indus Valley Civilization are inferred from archaeological evidence like seals. How do these inferences compare to the well-documented religious practices of Ancient Egypt?

Both civilizations worshipped a single, supreme deity. Evidence suggests a polytheistic system with a pantheon of gods in Egypt, while Indus Valley religion appears to have focused on fertility cults and possibly a mother goddess, with less clarity on specific deities. Indus Valley religion was primarily Zoroastrian, while Egyptian religion was shamanistic. Both civilizations had a strict separation between religious and political authority.
Q16. While Mohenjo-daro and Harappa are in Pakistan, Indian museums display artifacts from numerous Indus sites within India. Which of the following museums is known for its extensive collection of artifacts from the Indus sites located in Gujarat?

National Museum, Delhi Indian Museum, Kolkata Archaeological Museum, Lothal Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai
Q17. Which of the following was a major economic activity of the Indus Valley Civilization?

Mining Pastoralism Agriculture Manufacturing of steel
Q18. The 'unicorn' motif, frequently associated with Indus seals, is often paired with an inscription. What is a major reason why its interpretation as a specific deity or symbol remains speculative?

The motif's consistent representation across all Indus sites. The lack of any clear linguistic correlation for the accompanying inscription. The presence of similar 'unicorn' figures in other ancient Near Eastern cultures. The interpretation of the animal as potentially a composite creature or stylized bull.
Q19. The discovery of a large number of dice from Harappan sites suggests:

A focus on mathematics Leisure activities and games of chance A system of accounting Religious rituals
Q20. The Harappan people worshipped a Mother Goddess, indicated by the discovery of:

Large temples Numerous terracotta figurines of women Vedic hymns Stone statues of deities

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