Ans key 1 HISTORY SUTRA DAY 1

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. What was the primary material used for making Harappan seals?
A) Sandstone
B) Quartz
C) Steatite
D) Marble
2. Which of the following was not a staple crop of the Harappans?
A) Rice
B) Wheat
C) Millets
D) Maize
3. Which Harappan site is known for its water management systems, including
reservoirs?
A) Mohenjodaro
B) Harappa
C) Lothal
D) Dholavira
4. The Harappan script is characterized as:
A) Alphabetic
B) Syllabic
C) Pictographic
D) Undeciphered
5. Which one of these items was predominantly used by the Harappans for
trading?
A) Seals
B) Pottery
C) Textiles
D) Spices

True/False Questions

6. The Harappans practiced complex funeral rites that included tomb architecture
similar to the Egyptians. (True/False)
7. Evidence suggests the Harappans had trade links with Mesopotamia and Egypt.
(True/False)
 Ans key 1 HISTORY SUTRA DAY 1
8. Harappan cities were characterized by a lack of any discernible urban planning.
(True/False)
9. Archaeological evidence shows that Harappans used iron extensively.
(True/False)
10. The Harappan civilization was predominantly rural with little evidence of
urban centers. (True/False)

Fill in the Blanks

11. The Harappan civilization is sometimes also known as the __________

civilization.
12. Harappan society might have been governed by a __________, though
concrete evidence is scant.
13. One of the most famous urban features of Harappan sites is their advanced
__________ systems.
14. __________ is a site where Harappan remains were first identified.

UPSC Mains-Oriented Questions

15. Discuss the significance of trade in the economic structure of the Harappan
civilization. Cite examples of materials traded and the routes used based on
archaeological findings. (150 words)

Answer Key and Explanations

1. C) Steatite - Harappan seals were primarily made from steatite, known for its
durability and ease of carving.
2. D) Maize - Maize was not known to the Harappans; it was domesticated in the
Americas and introduced to other parts of the world post-Columbian contact.
3. D) Dholavira - Known for its sophisticated water management systems
including large reservoirs.
4. D) Undeciphered - The Harappan script remains undeciphered, with many
symbols still a subject of research.
 Ans key 1 HISTORY SUTRA DAY 1
5. A) Seals - Used widely in trade and administrative activities as identifiers or to
secure goods.
6. False - Harappan burials were typically simple and not elaborate like the
Egyptian tombs.
7. True - There is substantial evidence, like the discovery of Harappan seals in
Mesopotamia, indicating long-distance trade.
8. False - Harappan cities like Mohenjodaro and Harappa show evidence of highly
sophisticated urban planning.
9. False - The Harappans did not use iron; their main materials were bronze and
stone.
10. False - The Harappan civilization was highly urbanized with several large well-
planned cities.
11. Indus Valley
12. Theocracy or collective governance
13. drainage
14. Harappa

15. Trade played a pivotal role in the economic structure of the Harappan
civilization, facilitating cultural and material exchanges that contributed to its
prosperity and sustainability.

Significance of Trade:

Economic Prosperity: Trade enabled the Harappans to acquire resources not

locally available, fostering economic growth and societal development.
Cultural Exchange: Interactions with distant regions facilitated cultural
exchanges, influencing Harappan art, technology, and lifestyle.

Materials Traded:

Exported Goods: Harappans exported products such as beads, jewelry,

terracotta figurines, and cotton textiles.
Imported Goods: They imported raw materials like lapis lazuli from
Afghanistan, copper from Oman, and tin from Central Asia.

Trade Routes:

Land Routes: Overland trade routes connected Harappa with Mesopotamia, via
Afghanistan and Iran, facilitating overland trade.
Ans key 1 HISTORY SUTRA DAY 1
Maritime Routes: The Indus River provided access to the Arabian Sea, enabling
maritime trade with Mesopotamian cities like Ur and Sumer.

Trade was integral to the Harappan civilization, underpinning its economic

structure and facilitating cultural exchanges. Archaeological findings, such as
seals and artifacts, highlight the extensive trade networks and the diversity of
materials traded, underscoring the civilization’s sophistication and
connectivity.