Skip to Content
Indus Valley Civilization

Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, was a Bronze Age civilization that flourished in the northwestern region of South Asia from approximately 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE. Its mature period is generally dated between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE. It was one of the world's earliest urban civilizations, alongside ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.  


Home > History > Indus Valley Civilization > Page 2
> Trade and Economy
> Religion and Social Life
> Script and Seals
> Page 3

iv) Trade and Economy

  IVC question 13:

  IVC question 13:

    Which site is known as the "Manchester of the Indus Valley Civilization"? 

SSC CGL 2018, UPSC Prelims 2019 
 
1. Lothal

2. Mohenjodaro

3. Dholavira

4. Harappa

Answer:-   1. Lothal. 

Explanation:-  Lothal, in Gujarat, was a major bead-making and trading center, earning it the title "Manchester of Harappan Civilization".

  IVC question 14:

  IVC question 14:

    The Indus Valley people traded with:

UPSC Prelims 2017, UGC NET 2020 
1. Egypt only

2. Mesopotamia only

3. Both Egypt and Mesopotamia

4. China only

Answer:-  3) Both Egypt and Mesopotamia. 

Explanation:- Archaeological evidence, including seals and artifacts, indicates trade relations with both Mesopotamia and Egypt.

  IVC question 15:

  IVC question 15:

    The Indus Valley people traded with:

CLAT 2020, CUET PG 2023 
1. Decimal system

2. Octal system

3. Hexadecimal system

4. Binary system (16 and its multiples)

Answer:-  4. Binary system (16 and its multiples). 

Explanation:-  The Harappans used a weight system based on ratios of 1:2:4:8:16:32:64, reflecting a binary system.

v) Religion and Social Life

  IVC question 16:

  IVC question 16:

    The "Pashupati Seal" suggests that Indus Valley people worshipped:

JMI Entrance 2022, UPSC Prelims 2018
1. Fire

2. Water

3. Proto-Shiva

4. Sun

Answer:-  3. Proto-Shiva. 

Explanation:- The Pashupati Seal depicts a horned figure in yogic posture, surrounded by animals, interpreted as a proto-form of Shiva.

  IVC question 17:

  IVC question 17:

    The dancing girl statue was made of:

AMU Entrance 2019, AILET 2021
1. Bronze

2. Terracotta

3. Stone

4. Gold

Answer:-  1. Bronze. 

Explanation:- The famous "Dancing Girl" statue from Mohenjodaro was cast in bronze using the lost-wax technique, showcasing advanced metallurgy.

  IVC question 18:

  IVC question 18:

    Evidence of fire altars has been found at:

UPSC Prelims 2016, CUET UG 2022
1. Mohenjodaro

2. Harappa

3. Kalibangan

4. Dholavira

Answer:-  3. Kalibangan. 

Explanation:-Kalibangan is unique for its fire altars, indicating ritualistic and possibly Vedic practices.

vi) Script and Seals

  IVC question 19:

  IVC question 19:

   The Indus Valley script is:

UPSC Prelims 2020, UGC NET 2021
1. Deciphered completely

2. Partially deciphered

3. Similar to Brahmi script

4. Yet to be deciphered

Answer:-  4. Yet to be deciphered . 

Explanation:- The Indus script remains undeciphered despite extensive research, limiting our understanding of the civilization's language and administration.

  IVC question 20:

  IVC question 20:

    The Indus Valley script was written:

SSC GD 2022, CUET UG 2023
1. Left to right

2. Right to left

3. Top to bottom

4. In all directions

Answer:-  2. Right to left . 

Explanation:- Most seal inscriptions suggest the script was written from right to left, though some longer texts may have used boustrophedon style.

  IVC question 21:

  IVC question 21:

    Harappan seals were mostly made of which material?

UPSC Prelims 2019, SSC CGL 2020, UGC NET 2023
1. Terracotta

2. Steatite

3. Copper

4. Ivory

Answer:-  2. Steatite. 

Explanation:- Most Indus Valley seals were made from steatite, a soft stone that was easy to carve and then fired to give hardness. Other materials like terracotta, agate, chert, and ivory were also used, but steatite dominates overwhelmingly. Thousands of steatite seals have been excavated from different IVC sites, serving as crucial evidence of their craftsmanship and trade practices.

  IVC question 22:

  IVC question 22:

    The famous "Pashupati seal" from Mohenjodaro is believed to depict:

UPSC Prelims 2020, SSC CGL 2021
1. A merchant

2. A dancing girl

3.  A protocultural deity (proto-Shiva)

4. A royal figure

Answer:-  3. A protocultural deity (proto-Shiva). 

Explanation:- The Pashupati seal shows a central figure in a yogic posture surrounded by wild animals, interpreted by many scholars as an early form of Lord Shiva or ‘Pashupati’ (lord of animals). This points towards animal worship and possibly the earliest trace of Shaivism in the subcontinent. The seal stands out for its iconographic and religious significance.

  IVC question 23:

  IVC question 23:

    The primary use of the Harappan seals was for:

UPSC Prelims 2021, SSC CGL 2019
1. Sealing goods and trade purposes

2. Religious rituals

3. Currency

4. Agricultural activities

Answer:-  1. Sealing goods and trade purposes.

Explanation:- Harappan seals were mainly used to stamp clay tags attached to goods, indicating ownership, quality, or origin during trade. Many seals have been found in the port city of Lothal and even in Mesopotamia, strongly suggesting their use in commercial transactions and international trade. Some seals might have also served as amulets or status symbols.

< Page 1                                                                                                               Page 3 >