CHAPTER 4: In The Earliest Cities (Date : 03-08-2018)

Question 1:

Among the various cities to be discovered in the Indian subcontinent, which of the following was the first city to be discovered?

Harappa
Mohenjo-daro
Lothal
Sotka Koh

Correct Answer : A

Explanation

About eighty years ago, archaeologists found the site of Harappa, and realised that this was one of the oldest cities in the subcontinent. As this was the first city to be discovered, all other sites from where similar buildings (and other things) were found were described as Harappan. These cities developed about 4700 years ago.

Question 2:

In which of the following place is the archaeological site of Harappan located?

Gujarat (India)
Punjab (India)
Punjab (Pakistan)
Kabul (Afghanistan)

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

Nearly a hundred and fifty years ago, when railway lines were being laid down for the first time in the Punjab, engineers stumbled upon the site of Harappa in present-day Pakistan.

Question 3:

In the context of the characteristics of the cities of Harappa civilization, which of the following statements is not correct?

Many of these cities were divided into two or more parts.
Usually, the western was smaller but higher and the eastern was larger but lower.
Archaeologists called the lower part of the city as the lower-town and the higher part as citadel.
The walls of raw bricks were built around each part.

Correct Answer : D

Explanation

Statements (a), (b) and (c) are correct, but the statement (d) is not correct because the walls of both the parts were made of baked bricks.
The bricks were so well made that they have lasted for thousands of years.
The bricks were laid in an interlocking pattern and that made the walls strong.

Question 4:

A special tank was built in Mohenjodaro, which was called the Great Bath by archaeologists. Which of the following statements is not correct in terms of the features of this tank?

This was lined with bricks and coated with plaster.
To prevent leakage of water in it, it was made water-tight with a layer of plaster.
There were steps leading down to it from two sides, while there were rooms on all sides.
In order to fill the water, small canals were made from the river Sindhu.

Correct Answer : D

Explanation

The statement (a), (b) and (c) are correct, but the statement (d) is incorrect because water was probably brought in from a well, and drained out after use. Perhaps important people took a dip in this tank on special occasions.

Question 5:

In the context of the cities of the Harappan civilization, consider the following statements:

Kalibangan and Lothal had fire altars.
Some cities like Mohenjo Daro, Harappa, and Lothal had elaborate store houses.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

Cities, such as Kalibangan and Lothal had fire altars, where sacrifices may have been performed.

And some cities like Mohenjo Daro, Harappa and Lothal had elaborate store houses.

Question 6:

Harappan cities were found in which of the following given states?

Sind (Pakistan)
Gujarat (India)
Rajasthan (India)
Haryana (India)
Punjab (India)

Select the correct answer using the code given below–

1 and 3 only
3 and 4
1, 3 and 4
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Correct Answer : D

Explanation

Harappan Civilization were found in the Punjab and Sind in Pakistan, and in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and the Punjab in India. Archaeologists have found a set of unique objects in almost all these cities: red pottery painted with designs in black, stone weights, seals, special beads, copper tools, and long stone blades.

Question 7:

In the context of houses, drains and streets of Harappan civilization, which of the following statements is not correct?

Generally, houses were either one or two storeys high.
Most houses had a separate bathing area, and some had wells to supply water.
Many of these cities had open drains.
Each drain had a gentle slope so that water could flow through it.

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

Statements (a), (b) and (d) are correct, but statement (c) is not correct because many of these cities had covered drains. Very often, drains in houses were connected to those on the streets and smaller drains led into bigger ones. As the drains were covered, inspection holes were provided at intervals to clean them.

Question 8:

In the context of Harappan urban life, consider the following statements:

In the cities, the rulers planned the construction of special buildings in the city.
Scribes and crafts persons also lived in the cities.
Trade was done by the rulers and people living in town.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
3 only
1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : D

Explanation

All the above three statements are correct.

A Harappan city was a very busy place. There were people who planned the construction of special buildings in the city. These were probably the rulers. It is likely that the rulers sent people to distant lands to get metal, precious stones, and other things that they wanted.
And there were scribes, people who knew how to write, who helped prepare the seals, and perhaps wrote on other materials that have not survived. Besides, there were men and women, crafts persons, making all kinds of things — either in their own homes, or in special workshops.
People were travelling to distant lands or returning with raw materials and, perhaps, stories.

Question 9:

In the context of stone weights and beads, consider the following statements–

Limestone was commonly used to make weights.
Carnelian stones were used in the construction of beads.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : B

Explanation

Statement 1 is not correct because the stone weights were made up of chert, a kind of stone. These were probably used to weigh precious stones or metals.
Statement 2 is correct because beads were made out of carnelian, a beautiful red stone. The stone was cut, shaped, polished and finally a hole was bored through the centre so that a string could be passed through it.

Question 10:

A stone statue of an man, wearing an embroidered garment, was found from which of the following sites?

Harappa
Mohenjodaro
Dholavira
Kalibangan

Correct Answer : B

Explanation

A stone statue of an important man found from Mohenjo Daro shows him wearing an embroidered garment.

Question 11:

In the context of the crafts found in Harappan cities, consider the following statements.

Gold and silver were used to make ornaments and vessels.
Copper and bronze were only used to make tools and weapons.
The stones were used to make the seals.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
1 and 3
2 and 3
1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : B

Explanation

Statements 1 and 3 are correct because gold and silver were used to make ornaments and vessels. The Harappans also made seals out of stone. These are generally rectangular and usually have an animal carved on them.
Statement 2 is not correct because copper and bronze were used to make tools, weapons, ornaments and vessels.

Question 12:

Traces of cotton clothes were found in which of the following Harappan sites?

Sotka Koh
Mohenjodaro
Harappa
Rakhigarhi

Correct Answer : B

Explanation

Mehrgarh from about 7000 years ago. Actual pieces of cotton cloth were found attached to the lid of a silver vase and some copper objects at Mohenjodaro.

Question 13:

Consider the following assertion with the given reason.

Assertion: In the cities of Harappa, the work of spinning was done.

Reason: Cotton was grown at Mehrgarh.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
Assertion is correct but the reason is not correct.
Assertion is incorrect but the reason is correct.

Correct Answer : B

Explanation

Cotton was probably grown at Mehrgarh from about 7000 years ago. Actual pieces of cloth were found attached to the lid of a silver vase and some copper objects at Mohenjodaro. Archaeologists have also found spindle whorls, made of terracotta and faience. These were used to spin thread.

Question 14:

What color was commonly used on pottery in Harappa?

Red
Green
Pale
Blue

Correct Answer : A

Explanation

People of Harappan civilization used to make red clay pottery with beautiful black designs.
The upper parts of these pots were painted in red and different designs were made in black colour in the lower part.

Question 15:

In the context of 'faience' used in Harappan civilization, consider the following statements.

Faience was used to make beads, bangles, earrings, and tiny vessels.
Unlike stone or shell, that are found naturally, faience is a material that is artificially produced.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

Unlike stone or shell, that are found naturally, faience is a material that is artificially produced. A gum was used to shape sand or powdered quartz into an object. The objects were then glazed, resulting in a shiny, glassy surface. The colours of the glaze were usually blue or sea green.
Faience was used to make beads, bangles, earrings, and tiny vessels.

Question 16:

In the context of the imported raw materials in the Harappan civilization; match List I with the List II.

LIST I (Imported raw material)	LIST II ( Location)
A. Copper	1. Gujarat
B. Tin	2. Afghanistan
C. Gold	3. Rajasthan
D. Precious stones	4. Karnataka

A B C D

3 2 4 1
A B C D

2 3 4 1
A B C D

3 2 1 4
A B C D

2 3 1 4

Correct Answer : A

Explanation

The Harappans probably got copper from present-day Rajasthan, and even from Oman in West Asia.
Tin, which was mixed with copper to produce bronze, may have been brought from present-day Afghanistan and Iran.
Gold could have come all the way from present-day Karnataka.
Precious stones come from present-day Gujarat, Iran and Afghanistan.

Question 17:

In the context of the villages of Harappan period, which of the following statements is not correct?

Farmers and herders lived in villages.
The Harappans grew wheat, barley, pulses, peas, rice, sesame, linseed and mustard.
Using the plough for tilling the fields was a new thing of the time.
All Harappan cities received sufficient water for irrigation.

Correct Answer : D

Explanation

Statement (a) is correct. While many people lived in the cities, others living in the countryside grew crops and reared animals. These farmers and herders supplied food to crafts persons, scribes and rulers in the cities.
Statement (b) is correct. People from Harappa used to grow wheat, barley, pulses, peas, rice, sesame and mustard.
Statement (c) is correct. A new tool, the plough, was used to dig the earth for turning the soil and planting seeds. While real ploughs, which were probably made of wood, have not survived, toy models have been found.
Statement (d) is not correct. As this region does not receive heavy rainfall, some form of irrigation may have been used. This means that water was stored and supplied to the fields when the plants were growing.

Question 18:

Match List I to List II and select the correct answer from the code given below.

List I (Site of Harappan Civilization)	List II (River on the banks of which it is situated)
A. Harappa	1. Ravi
B. Mohenjodaro	2. Sindhu
C. Kalibangan	3. Ghaggar
D. Lothal	4. Bhogwa

A B C D

1 2 3 4
A B C D

4 1 3 2
A B C D

2 1 3 4
A B C D

2 3 4 1

Correct Answer : A

Explanation

Harappa is located on the banks of River Ravi and Mohenjo Daro is situated on the banks of the Indus (Sindhu) river.
Kalibangan is situated on the banks of River Ghaggar and the city of Lothal stood beside a tributary of the Sabarmati, Bhogwa, in Gujarat.

Question 19:

In which of the following states is the city of Dholavira located?

Gujarat
Haryana
Punjab
Rajasthan

Correct Answer : A

Explanation

The city of Dholavira was located on Khadir Beyt in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, where there was fresh water and fertile soil.

Question 20:

Unlike some of the other Harappan cities, which were divided into two parts, which of the following cities was divided into three parts?

Harappa
Mohenjodaro
Dholavira
Rakhi Garhi

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

Unlike some of the other Harappan cities, which were divided into two parts, Dholavira was divided into three parts, and each part was surrounded with massive stone walls, with entrances through gateways. There was also a large open area in the settlement, where public ceremonies could be held. Other finds include large letters of the Harappan script that were carved out of white stone and perhaps inlaid in wood. This is a unique find as generally Harappan writing has been found on small objects such as seals.

Question 21:

In which of the following states is the city of Lothal located?

Haryana
Punjab
Rajasthan
Gujarat

Correct Answer : D

Explanation

The city of Lothal stood beside a tributary of the Sabarmati, in Gujarat, close to the Gulf of Khambhat. It was situated near areas where raw materials such as semi-precious stones were easily available. This was an important centre for making objects out of stone, shell and metal. There was also a storehouse in the city. Many seals and sealings (the impression of seals on clay) were found in this storehouse.

Question 22:

In the context of Lothal town, which of the following statements is not correct?

It was situated on the banks of the Mahi River in Gujarat.
There was a dockyard.
There was a storehouse in this town.
A building that was found here was probably a workshop for making beads.

Correct Answer : A

Explanation

Statement (a) is not correct because the city of Lothal stood beside a tributary of the Sabarmati, in Gujarat, close to the Gulf of Khambhat.
There was a dockyard at Lothal, where boats and ships came in from the sea and through the river channel.
There was also a storehouse in the city. Many seals and sealings (the impression of seals on clay) were found in this storehouse.
A building that was found here was probably a workshop for making beads: pieces of stone, half made beads, tools for bead making, and finished beads have all been found here.

Question 23:

In the context of the Harappan seals and sealings, consider the following statements:

Seals may have been used to stamp bags or packets containing goods that were sent from one place to another.
The closure of the prevailing seal by the ruling class was called sealing.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : A

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct. Seals may have been used to stamp bags or packets containing goods that were sent from one place to another
Statement 2 is not correct. After a bag was closed or tied, a layer of wet clay was applied on the knot, and the seal was pressed on it. The impression of the seal is known as a sealing. If the sealing was intact, one could be sure that the goods had arrived safely.

Question 24:

Various scholars suggested different reasons for the end of the Harappan civilization. Which of the following arguments is/are included in them?

River drying up
Deforestation
Rulers losing control

Choose the correct answer from the code given below:

1 only
1 and 2 only
3 only
1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : D

Explanation

Around 3900 years ago, we find the beginning of a major change. People stopped living in many of the cities. Writing, seals and weights were no longer used. Raw materials brought from long distances became rare.

In Mohenjodaro, we find that garbage piled up on the streets, the drainage system broke down, and new, less impressive houses were built, even over the streets.

Some scholars suggest that the rivers dried up. Others suggest that there was deforestation. This could have happened because fuel was required for baking bricks, and for smelting copper ores. Besides, grazing by large herds of cattle, sheep and goat may have destroyed the green cover. In some areas there were floods.

But none of these reasons can explain the end of all the cities. Flooding, or a river drying up would have had an effect in only some areas.

It appears as if the rulers lost control. In any case, the effects of the change are quite clear. Sites in Sind and West Punjab (present-day Pakistan) were abandoned, while many people moved into newer, smaller settlements to the east and the south.

New cities emerged about 1400 years later.