UPSC Prelims previous year questions on Prehistory & Indus Valley Civilization (Ancient History) — real questions with answers and explanations.
2026Multi-statement (Traditional Style)Prehistory & Indus Valley Civilization
Consider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns:
I. There is wide occurrence of spindle-whorls in the houses but absence of spinning wheels.
II. Weights and measurement scales, complete with graduations have been discovered.
III. There are houses built in large part with baked bricks, around relatively spacious courtyards, with their own wells, bathing platforms, and large rooms.
Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements?
1. Statement I suggests that spinning was a laborious activity done at home.
2. Statement II suggests the extent of the scientific knowledge that the Harappans possessed.
3. Statement III suggests the emergence of a common property system.
A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3
Explanation: * Inference 1 is correct: The frequent occurrence of spindle whorls suggests that spinning and thread production were widely practiced as a laborious, home-based activity.
* Inference 2 is correct: The discovery of standardized weights and graduated measuring scales highlights sophisticated scientific and mathematical knowledge used for trading and craftsmanship with high precision.
* Inference 3 is incorrect: Large baked-brick houses with spacious courtyards, private wells, and multiple rooms point towards advanced urban planning and social differentiation. Variations in house size reflect status differences and private ownership rather than a common property system.
Select an option to reveal the answer
2025Direct Conceptual / Factual MCQPrehistory & Indus Valley Civilization
The famous female figurine known as 'Dancing Girl', found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of:
A.carnelian
B.clay
C.bronze
D.gold
Explanation: * (c) bronze is correct: The iconic 'Dancing Girl' figurine discovered at Mohenjo-daro is an outstanding 4-inch-tall masterpiece made entirely of bronze, representing the advanced metallurgical expertise of the Indus Valley Civilization.
* The artifact was manufactured approximately 4,500 years ago using the sophisticated lost-wax casting technique (cire perdue), showing a confident posture adorned with bangles.
Select an option to reveal the answer
2024Pairs/Matching (Traditional Style)Prehistory & Indus Valley Civilization
Consider the following information:
Archaeological Site | State | Description
1. Chandraketugarh | Odisha | Trading Port town
2. Inamgaon | Maharashtra | Chalcolithic site
3. Mangadu | Kerala | Megalithic site
4. Salihundam | Andhra Pradesh | Rock-cut cave shrines
In which of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
A.1 and 2
B.2 and 3
C.3 and 4
D.1 and 4
Explanation: * Row 1 is incorrectly matched: Chandraketugarh is a historical archaeological site located in the Ganges Delta within the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, not Odisha.
* Row 2 is correctly matched: Inamgaon is a major, extensively excavated proto-historic Chalcolithic settlement located in the Bhima river valley in Maharashtra.
* Row 3 is correctly matched: Mangadu is a well-documented prehistoric Megalithic site in Kerala containing numerous typical burial structures.
* Row 4 is incorrectly matched: Salihundam in Andhra Pradesh is an ancient Buddhist stupa hill site featuring structural monuments like mahastupas, chaityas, and monasteries; it does not contain rock-cut cave shrines.
Select an option to reveal the answer