The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation — Quiz

Q1. In the Indus-Sarasvatī region, villages grew into towns from about 3500 BCE, and towns further grew into cities around which date?

• A. Around 2600 BCE
• B. Around 6000 BCE
• C. Around 1900 BCE
• D. Around 1000 BCE

Q2. Why does the chapter avoid the older term 'Indus Valley civilisation'?

• A. Because the civilisation extended much beyond the Indus region
• B. Because the Indus river never existed
• C. Because the cities were all in Mesopotamia
• D. Because no valley exists in India

Q3. According to the chapter's table, in which modern state is the Harappan city of Dholavira located?

• A. Punjab
• B. Sindh
• C. Haryana
• D. Gujarat

Q4. Why have archaeologists ruled out the idea that the Great Bath was a public bath for people?

• A. Because it was too small for anyone
• B. Because no water was available
• C. Because most houses in the city had individual bathrooms
• D. Because it was actually a granary

Q5. Which metal did the Harappans probably import, because it was not very common back home?

• A. Copper
• B. Gold
• C. Silver
• D. Iron

Q6. What is true about the writing signs found on Harappan seals?

• A. They have been fully read and translated
• B. Their writing system is yet to be understood
• C. They are written in Sanskrit
• D. They record the names of kings

Q7. According to the chapter, why is some form of writing considered a feature of civilisation?

• A. To paint cave walls for fun
• B. To replace farming
• C. To keep records and to communicate
• D. To build fortifications

Q8. Why could Harappan cities survive only with the help of hundreds of small rural sites?

• A. Because villages made all the seals
• B. Because cities needed enough agricultural produce to reach them daily
• C. Because villages built the fortifications
• D. Because cities had no wells

Q9. What does the chapter note as interesting about the quality of construction of small and big houses in Harappan cities?

• A. The quality of construction was the same for small and big houses
• B. Big houses were always made of gold
• C. Small houses had no walls
• D. Only big houses used bricks

Q10. The Harappans used land routes, rivers and the sea for trade. This sea trade is described as India's first what?

• A. First written treaty
• B. First intensive maritime activity
• C. First railway network
• D. First coin system

Q11. Why do archaeologists now think the Harappan civilisation was relatively peaceful?

• A. Because huge armies and weapons were found
• B. Because there is no trace of warfare, army or weapons of war
• C. Because all cities had high walls
• D. Because they had no neighbours

Q12. What do objects like a stone gamesboard and a terracotta whistle tell us about Harappan life?

• A. That they had no free time
• B. That they did not use clay
• C. That they only made weapons
• D. That they designed games and toys to amuse adults and children

Q13. How does the chapter show that the Harappans valued cleanliness and water management?

• A. They threw waste water on the streets
• B. Bathing areas connected to a network of drains running below the streets
• C. They never bathed indoors
• D. They had no drains at all

Q14. Scientific study of Harappan cooking pots revealed some surprising remains. Which of these was a surprising finding?

• A. Dairy products
• B. Turmeric, ginger and banana
• C. Plastic containers
• D. Coffee beans

Q15. A student arranges three early civilisations by when they began. Which order is correct, from earliest to latest?

• A. Indus-Sarasvatī → Egyptian → Mesopotamian
• B. Egyptian → Mesopotamian → Indus-Sarasvatī
• C. Mesopotamian → Egyptian → Indus-Sarasvatī
• D. Mesopotamian → Indus-Sarasvatī → Egyptian