MCQ: A Closer Look – Harappan Towns in Gujarat


  1. Where was the Harappan city of Dholavira located?
    a) Near the Indus River
    b) On the banks of the Ganga River
    c) On Khadir Beyt in the Rann of Kutch
    d) Near the HimalayasAnswer: c) On Khadir Beyt in the Rann of Kutch
    Explanation: Dholavira was situated on Khadir Beyt in the Rann of Kutch, where fresh water and fertile soil were available​.

  1. Unlike other Harappan cities, how was Dholavira divided?
    a) Into two parts – citadel and lower town
    b) Into three parts
    c) Into four separate settlements
    d) Into five districtsAnswer: b) Into three parts
    Explanation: Unlike most Harappan cities, which had two divisions, Dholavira was divided into three sections, each surrounded by massive stone walls​.

  1. What unique feature of Harappan writing was found in Dholavira?
    a) The longest known Harappan text
    b) Large letters carved out of white stone
    c) Harappan script on bronze plates
    d) A book written in Harappan languageAnswer: b) Large letters carved out of white stone
    Explanation: A unique discovery at Dholavira was the presence of large letters of the Harappan script carved out of white stone, possibly inlaid in wood​.

  1. Which Harappan town in Gujarat was an important center for making objects out of stone, shell, and metal?
    a) Kalibangan
    b) Mohenjodaro
    c) Lothal
    d) HarappaAnswer: c) Lothal
    Explanation: Lothal was located near the Gulf of Khambat and was a key center for crafting objects made from stone, shell, and metal​.

  1. What important structure was discovered in Lothal that indicates it was a major trade hub?
    a) A massive warehouse
    b) A large dockyard
    c) A king’s palace
    d) An underground water reservoirAnswer: b) A large dockyard
    Explanation: Archaeologists found a large tank at Lothal, which is believed to have been a dockyard where boats and ships loaded and unloaded goods​.

  1. What evidence suggests that Lothal was a center for trade and commerce?
    a) Presence of Mesopotamian artifacts
    b) Discovery of several gold mines
    c) Large-scale agricultural activity
    d) The presence of a royal treasuryAnswer: a) Presence of Mesopotamian artifacts
    Explanation: Archaeologists found Mesopotamian seals and artifacts in Lothal, suggesting active trade between the Harappans and Mesopotamians​.

  1. What type of goods were stored in the warehouse found in Lothal?
    a) Grains, beads, and semi-precious stones
    b) Bronze weapons and shields
    c) Books and manuscripts
    d) Large sculptures of kingsAnswer: a) Grains, beads, and semi-precious stones
    Explanation: The warehouse in Lothal stored various raw materials like grains, beads, and semi-precious stones, which were used for trade and craft production​.

  1. Why was Lothal’s location near the Gulf of Khambat important?
    a) It allowed easy access to mineral resources
    b) It provided a strategic military advantage
    c) It made it an important center for overseas trade
    d) It was the best place to build large templesAnswer: c) It made it an important center for overseas trade
    Explanation: Being near the Gulf of Khambat allowed Lothal to function as a major trade center where goods could be transported via sea and river routes​.

  1. What evidence suggests that bead-making was an important craft in Lothal?
    a) Discovery of finished beads, tools, and half-made beads
    b) A written document listing bead-making techniques
    c) An inscription describing a famous bead maker
    d) The presence of large bead-selling marketsAnswer: a) Discovery of finished beads, tools, and half-made beads
    Explanation: Archaeologists found unfinished beads, tools, and raw materials in Lothal, suggesting it was a major center for bead-making​.

  1. What makes the Harappan towns in Gujarat unique compared to other Harappan cities?
    a) They were built entirely from metal
    b) They had different city planning, including three-part divisions and dockyards
    c) They were ruled by kings with written laws
    d) They had the largest pyramids of the Harappan civilization

Answer: b) They had different city planning, including three-part divisions and dockyards
Explanation: Cities like Dholavira had a three-part division, and Lothal had a dockyard, making them unique compared to other Harappan cities​.


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