Nitin Singhania MCQs: Indian Architecture, Sculpture & Pottery | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: Consider the following statements regarding Harappan sites:
Statement 1: Harappa is known for the discovery of a sculpture of a dancing figure in bronze.
Statement 2: A coffin burial system has been exclusively found in Harappa.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only Statement 1
(b) Only Statement 2
(c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2
(d) Neither Statement 1 nor Statement 2
Ans: (b)
According to the information provided, Statement 1 is incorrect as the 'Dancing Girl' sculpture was found in Mohenjo-daro. Statement 2 is correct.
Harappan Sites Statements:

• Statement 1 is incorrect because the sculpture of a dancing figure in bronze, known as the "Dancing Girl," was found in Mohenjo-daro, not Harappa.
• Statement 2 is correct as the images state that a coffin burial system was found in Harappa only.

Q2: Which of the following pairs related to Indus Valley Civilization sites and their specific findings is/are correctly matched?
1. Lothal - Dockyard
2. Mohenjo-daro - Coffin burial system
3. Chanhudaro - Bead-making factory
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Ans: (b)
Indus Valley Civilization Sites and Findings:

• Lothal is correctly matched as it is an important site known for its dockyard.
• Mohenjo-daro is incorrectly matched with the coffin burial system, which was found at Harappa.
• Chanhudaro is correctly matched as it is known for having a bead-making factory.

Q3: Consider the following statements about the urban planning of the Indus Valley Civilization:
Statement 1: The cities were planned in three divisions.
Statement 2: Urban planning included the world's earliest known drainage systems.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only Statement 1
(b) Only Statement 2
(c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2
(d) Neither Statement 1 nor Statement 2
Ans: (b)
Urban Planning of the Indus Valley Civilization:

• Statement 1 is incorrect because the cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, such as Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, were generally divided into two parts: the Citadel and the Lower Town, not three divisions.
• Statement 2 is correct as the Indus Valley Civilization is recognized for its advanced urban planning, which included the world's earliest known drainage systems.

Q4: Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

(a) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
(b) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
(c) A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
(d) A-1, B2, C-4, D-3
Ans: (b)
Matching Indus Valley Sites with Features:

• Rakhigarhi is the largest site of the Indus Valley Civilization.
• Dholavira is noted for its sophisticated water harnessing systems.
• Banawali is known for terracotta bricks.
• Kalibangan is distinguished by evidence of a ploughed field.

Q5: Which of the following sites of the Indus Valley Civilization was known for its specialized centers for making shell objects?
(a) Lothal
(b) Chanhudaro
(c) Balakot
(d) Surkotada
Ans: (c)
Specialized Centers for Making Shell Objects:
Balakot is the correct answer as it is mentioned as a site known for specialized centers for making shell objects.

Q6: Consider the following statements regarding the Chalcolithic sites:
Statement 1: Chalcolithic sites are characterized by the use of stone and copper.
Statement 2: Evidence of rice has been found at the Chalcolithic site of Rangpur.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only Statement 1
(b) Only Statement 2
(c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2
(d) Neither Statement 1 nor Statement 2
Ans: (c)
Both statements are correct. The term "Chalcolithic" indeed refers to a cultural phase where both stone and metal (particularly copper) were used. Rangpur is one of the Chalcolithic sites where evidence of cultivated rice has been found, indicating the early domestication of this crop.

Q7: The site of Surkotada is significant due to the discovery of:
(a) Horse remains
(b) A bead-making factory
(c) A dockyard
(d) A terracotta brick
Ans: (a)
Surkotada is significant for the discovery of horse remains, which provides evidence for the existence of horses in the Indus Valley Civilization.

Q8: What was the main purpose of the great bath found in Mohenjo-daro?
(a) Religious ritual
(b) Public bathing
(c) Water storage
(d) Royal bathing
Ans: (a)
The great bath is widely believed to have been used for religious rituals, such as purification rites, due to its grandeur and the careful way it was built.

Q9: Which of the following statements is correct regarding the archaeological findings of the Indus Valley Civilization?
(a) Ivory was found at the site of Lothal.
(b) The citadel area in Mohenjo-daro was located in the lower town.
(c) The first evidence of the practice of burying dogs with humans was found at Kalibangan.
(d) The site of Mehrgarh is considered to be the precursor to the Indus Valley Civilization.
Ans: (d)
The only correct statement is D. Mehrgarh is considered a precursor to the Indus Valley Civilization, with continuous occupation leading up to the mature Harappan phase.

Q10: The script of the Indus Valley Civilization was:
(a) Deciphered by Dr. S. R. Rao
(b) Deciphered and found to be Dravidian in language
(c) Not yet deciphered
(d) Similar to the Brahmi script
Ans: (c)
Opyon (c) is the correct answer as the Indus Valley Civilization script has not yet been deciphered.
The script of the Indus Valley Civilization has not been deciphered, despite numerous attempts and claims. The script's language and grammar remain unknown, and it is one of the great mysteries of this ancient civilization.

Q11: Consider the following statements about the town planning of the Harappan Civilization:
Statement 1: Roads in Harappan cities intersected at right angles, indicating a grid-like layout.
Statement 2: Harappan cities were divided into more than two parts.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only Statement 1
(b) Only Statement 2
(c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2
(d) Neither Statement 1 nor Statement 2
Ans: (a)
Statement 1 is correct as the text describes the roads intersecting at right angles, a key feature of Harappan city planning. Statement 2 is incorrect because Harappan cities were generally divided into two parts: the Citadel and the Lower City.

Q12: Match the following Harappan sites with their distinctive features:

(a) A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
(b) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
(c) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
(d) A-1, B-4, C-2, D-3
Ans: (a)
Option (a) is correct: Harappa is known for its granaries with strategic air ducts, Mohenjo-daro for the Great Bath, Dholavira for its advanced drainage system, and Lothal for the dockyard.

Q13: Regarding the use of materials in the Harappan Civilization, consider the following statements:
Statement 1: Burnt mud bricks were used for construction purposes.
Statement 2: Gypsum mortar was used to join the well-baked bricks.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only Statement 1
(b) Only Statement 2
(c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2
(d) Neither Statement 1 nor Statement 2
Ans: (c)
Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct. The use of burnt mud bricks and gypsum mortar for construction in the Harappan Civilization.

Q14: Which of the following cultures is known for the earliest evidence of cultivation of rice?
(a) Cemetery H Culture
(b) Painted Grey Ware Culture
(c) Ochre Coloured Pottery Culture
(d) Malwa Culture
Ans: (d)
None of the options given are particularly known for the earliest evidence of rice cultivation.

Q15: The 'Great Bath' of Mohenjo-daro is most closely associated with:
(a) Civic planning for hygiene and public ritual.
(b) A public swimming pool for the Harappan people.
(c) A water storage tank for the city.
(d) A royal bath exclusive for the rulers.
Ans: (a)
Option (a) is correct. The Great Bath had a public and ritualistic significance, relating to the Harappan emphasis on hygiene and possibly religious cleansing practices.

Q16: Consider the following pairs:
1. Culture - Significant Feature
2. Northern Black Polished Ware - Black-and-Red Ware pottery
3. Ochre Coloured Pottery - Indus script
4. Ahhar Culture - Chalcolithic settlement
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) None of the above
Ans: (b)
Option (b) is correct. The Ahhar Culture is indeed a Chalcolithic settlement. Northern Black Polished Ware is not known for Black-and-Red Ware pottery, and Ochre Coloured Pottery is not associated with the Indus script.

Q17: The Cemetery H Culture is characterized by:
(a) Terracotta figurines and advanced urban planning.
(b) Distinctive burial practices and reddish pottery.
(c) Evidence of the first urban center in the Indian subcontinent.
(d) Harappan seals and the use of the Indus script.
Ans: (b)
Option (b) is correct. The Cemetery H Culture is noted for its distinctive burial practices and reddish pottery.

Q18: The 'Dockyard' at Lothal is significant because:
(a) It was used for inland trade.
(b) It provided evidence for overseas trade.
(c) It is the largest granary found in the Harappan sites.
(d) It was a public bathing area similar to the Great Bath.
Ans: (b)
Option (b) is correct. The dockyard at Lothal provides evidence for maritime activities, which implies overseas trade.

Q19: Which culture is known for its Iron Age urban center and Black-and-Red Ware (BRW) pottery with designs?
(a) Painted Grey Ware Culture
(b) Northern Black Polished Ware Culture
(c) Ochre Coloured Pottery Culture
(d) Cemetery H Culture
Ans: (c)
Option (c) is correct. The Ochre Coloured Pottery Culture is identified by its Black-and-Red Ware pottery with designs.

Q20: The archaeological findings in the sites of the Malwa Culture include:
(a) Evidence of horse domestication.
(b) Evidence of rice cultivation.
(c) Identification with the ancient Mahishmati of the Puranas.
(d) Terracotta figurines of the Tigris-Euphrates Valley.
Ans: (c)
Option (c) is correct. The Malwa Culture with the ancient city of Mahishmati mentioned in the Puranas.