📖 UPSC Civil Services Exam
📚 Prelims – History – Indus Valley – Major Sites
🎥 Videos • 📄 Notes • 📝 Worksheets • ❓ MCQs
🕒 60–90 min
Major Sites of the Harappan Civilisation
Location • River/Region • Major Features • Archaeological Significance
Why Are Harappan Sites Important?
UPSC questions often test the ability to connect a site with its location and distinctive archaeological feature.
Harappa
Harappa is one of the type-sites of the civilisation and gave its name to the wider archaeological culture.
Mohenjo-daro
Mohenjo-daro provides some of the clearest evidence of sophisticated urban planning in the Harappan civilisation.
Dholavira
Dholavira is particularly important for understanding Harappan water management and settlement planning in an environmentally challenging region.
Lothal
Lothal is particularly significant for understanding craft production and the maritime connections of the Harappan civilisation.
Kalibangan
Kalibangan is especially important for evidence related to agriculture and ritual practices.
Rakhigarhi
Rakhigarhi is one of the largest known Harappan settlements and is important for understanding the eastern extent of the Mature Harappan urban tradition.
Banawali
Surkotada
Chanhudaro
Daimabad
Sites You Should Also Know
UPSC may also use lesser-known sites in matching questions. Keep these associations clear.
Harappan Sites — UPSC Master Map
Before attempting MCQs, revise the distinctive association of each major site.
Harappan Civilisation
Major Sites — UPSC Level MCQs
Consider the following pairs:
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Dholavira is particularly known for water management, Kalibangan for its ploughed field, Mohenjo-daro for the Great Bath, and Chanhudaro for craft production.
With reference to Dholavira, consider the following statements:
1. It is located in the Kutch region of Gujarat.
2. Its archaeological remains provide important evidence of sophisticated water management.
3. It is located on the banks of the River Indus.
4. A large signboard is among its notable archaeological finds.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Dholavira is at Khadir Bet in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. It is particularly famous for its reservoirs and water management. It is not located on the River Indus.
Which one of the following sites is most closely associated with evidence of a ploughed agricultural field?
Kalibangan in Rajasthan is particularly important for archaeological evidence of an ancient ploughed field.
Consider the following statements regarding Mohenjo-daro:
1. The Great Bath is located there.
2. It provides important evidence of sophisticated drainage.
3. It is located in present-day Sindh, Pakistan.
4. It is associated with the Ravi River.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Mohenjo-daro is in Sindh and is associated with the Indus, not the Ravi. The Ravi is associated with Harappa.
Which one of the following combinations is correctly matched?
The Great Bath is associated with Mohenjo-daro, Cemetery H with Harappa, and Dholavira with water management.
With reference to Lothal, consider the following statements:
1. It is located in present-day Gujarat.
2. It is associated with maritime trade.
3. It was an important centre of bead-making.
4. The structure traditionally identified as a dockyard has no interpretative debate.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Lothal is associated with maritime trade and bead-making. The interpretation of its famous basin as a dockyard has been discussed and debated.
Consider the following pairs:
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
All four geographical associations are correctly matched.
Rakhigarhi is particularly significant in the study of the Harappan Civilisation because:
Rakhigarhi in Haryana is one of the largest known Harappan settlements and is important for understanding the spread of Harappan urbanism.
Consider the following pairs:
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Rakhigarhi is in Haryana, Kalibangan in Rajasthan, Dholavira in Gujarat and Daimabad in Maharashtra.
Which one of the following sites is particularly associated with the southern geographical extension of Harappan-related cultural traditions?
Daimabad in Maharashtra is important for understanding the southern geographical spread of Harappan-related cultural traditions.
Consider the following statements about Chanhudaro:
1. Chanhudaro is located in present-day Pakistan.
2. It is particularly known for craft production.
3. Bead-making was an important activity at the site.
4. It was one of the principal centres of the Great Bath tradition.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Chanhudaro in Sindh is particularly important for craft production and bead-making. The Great Bath is associated with Mohenjo-daro.
Which one of the following is correctly matched?
Chanhudaro is particularly associated with craft production, including bead-making.
Consider the following statements about Surkotada:
1. It is located in Gujarat.
2. It is a fortified Harappan settlement.
3. Horse remains have been reported from the site.
4. The identification of these remains as horse is completely free from scholarly debate.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Surkotada is a fortified settlement in Kutch, Gujarat. Horse remains have been reported, but their identification has been subject to scholarly discussion.
Which one of the following pairs is incorrectly matched?
Dholavira is particularly famous for its water-management system. Lothal is traditionally associated with the dockyard interpretation.
Consider the following sites:
1. Kot Diji
2. Amri
3. Kalibangan
4. Mohenjo-daro
Which of the above are associated with the Early Harappan cultural sequence or traditions?
Kot Diji and Amri are important Early Harappan traditions. Kalibangan has both Early and Mature Harappan phases.
Match List I with List II:
A. Harappa
B. Dholavira
C. Kalibangan
D. Chanhudaro
1. Water management
2. Cemetery H
3. Ploughed field
4. Craft production
Select the correct answer using the code below:
Harappa → Cemetery H; Dholavira → water management; Kalibangan → ploughed field; Chanhudaro → craft production.
Which one of the following sequences broadly arranges the sites from north to south?
Broadly from north to south: Rakhigarhi in Haryana, Kalibangan in Rajasthan, Dholavira in Gujarat, and Daimabad in Maharashtra.
Consider the following statements:
1. Harappa is associated with the Ravi.
2. Mohenjo-daro is associated with the Indus.
3. Kalibangan is associated with the Ghaggar-Hakra region.
4. Dholavira is located on the banks of the Yamuna.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Dholavira is located in Kutch, Gujarat, at Khadir Bet. It is not located on the Yamuna.
Which one of the following is the most appropriate association?
Dholavira’s reservoirs and water-management structures are particularly important for understanding adaptation to its environmental conditions.
Consider the following statements:
1. Different Harappan sites show regional variation in settlement pattern and material culture.
2. Dholavira’s water-management system reflects adaptation to its local environment.
3. Lothal’s archaeological evidence is relevant to understanding craft production and long-distance trade.
4. All Harappan sites exhibit identical urban features and economic functions.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Harappan settlements show regional variation. Dholavira demonstrates environmental adaptation, while Lothal provides evidence relevant to craft production and trade. Statement 4 is incorrect.
