MCQ: The Story of Harappa


  1. How was the site of Harappa first discovered?
    a) During the construction of a railway line
    b) While digging a well
    c) By accident during an earthquake
    d) Through ancient textsAnswer: a) During the construction of a railway line
    Explanation: Nearly 150 years ago, engineers laying railway lines in Punjab stumbled upon the ruins of Harappa and used its bricks for railway construction​.

  1. Where is Harappa located today?
    a) India
    b) Pakistan
    c) Nepal
    d) AfghanistanAnswer: b) Pakistan
    Explanation: Harappa is located in present-day Pakistan and was one of the major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization​.

  1. What material were the bricks of Harappa made from?
    a) Stone
    b) Baked clay
    c) Wood
    d) MarbleAnswer: b) Baked clay
    Explanation: The people of Harappa used high-quality baked bricks, which were strong enough to survive thousands of years​.

  1. Why are other cities of the Indus Valley Civilization called “Harappan” cities?
    a) Because Harappa was the most powerful city
    b) Because Harappa was the first city discovered
    c) Because they were all built near Harappa
    d) Because they followed Harappan rulersAnswer: b) Because Harappa was the first city discovered
    Explanation: Since Harappa was the first site to be excavated, all similar sites were named “Harappan”​.

  1. Approximately how old is the Harappan Civilization?
    a) 1000 years
    b) 4700 years
    c) 8000 years
    d) 2000 yearsAnswer: b) 4700 years
    Explanation: Archaeologists estimate that Harappan cities developed around 4700 years ago​.

  1. What happened to many of Harappa’s old buildings when the railway was being built?
    a) They were preserved as historical monuments
    b) They were moved to museums
    c) They were destroyed as bricks were taken away
    d) They were rebuilt using modern materialsAnswer: c) They were destroyed as bricks were taken away
    Explanation: Engineers took away thousands of bricks from Harappan structures to use in railway construction, leading to significant damage​.

  1. What significant discovery was made at Harappa?
    a) The Great Bath
    b) The Ashokan Pillar
    c) The Harappan Script and seals
    d) The Edicts of HarappaAnswer: c) The Harappan Script and seals
    Explanation: Archaeologists discovered unique Harappan seals with inscriptions, which remain undeciphered till today​.

  1. What is one of the key features of Harappan cities?
    a) Large temples dedicated to gods
    b) A well-planned drainage system
    c) Forts built on high mountains
    d) Castles for kings and queensAnswer: b) A well-planned drainage system
    Explanation: Harappan cities were known for their advanced drainage systems, with covered drains and soak pits​.

  1. What were Harappan houses mostly made of?
    a) Wood
    b) Mud bricks
    c) Baked bricks
    d) Thatched roofsAnswer: c) Baked bricks
    Explanation: The houses in Harappa were constructed using standardized baked bricks, which contributed to their longevity​.

  1. Why is it important to preserve old historical sites like Harappa?
    a) To keep ancient traditions alive
    b) To study past civilizations and learn from them
    c) To use them for modern construction
    d) To increase the number of tourist attractions

Answer: b) To study past civilizations and learn from them
Explanation: Studying ancient sites like Harappa helps us understand the culture, technology, and way of life of early civilizations​.


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