History Chapter 1: Indus Valley Civilization Mock Test | 30 MCQs & Certificate
Chapter 1: Indus Valley Civilization (IVC)
The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, was one of the world's earliest urban civilizations, flourishing around 2500 BCE in the northwestern regions of South Asia. It is famous for its advanced town planning, drainage systems, and maritime trade.
1. Discovery & Geographical Extent
The civilization was first discovered in 1921 at Harappa by Rai Bahadur Daya Ram Sahni. A year later, Mohenjo-daro was excavated by R.D. Banerji.
- Northernmost Site: Manda (Jammu & Kashmir)
- Southernmost Site: Daimabad (Maharashtra)
- Easternmost Site: Alamgirpur (Uttar Pradesh)
- Westernmost Site: Sutkagendor (Pakistan-Iran Border)
2. Major Sites and Findings
| Site Name | River | Major Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Harappa | Ravi | 6 Granaries, Stone symbols of Lingam and Yoni. |
| Mohenjo-daro | Indus | Great Bath, Great Granary, Dancing Girl (Bronze), Bearded Man. |
| Lothal | Bhogava | Dockyard (Port City), Rice Husk, Fire Altars. |
| Dholavira | Luni | Unique Water Management System, Giant Reservoir. |
| Kalibangan | Ghaggar | Ploughed Field, Camel Bones, Bangle Factory. |
3. Advanced Town Planning
The most unique feature of IVC was its Urbanization. The cities were divided into two parts: the Citadel (West) for the ruling class and the Lower Town (East) for commoners.
• Grid System: Streets cut each other at right angles.
• Drainage: Every house had its own soak pit connected to the main street drain.
• Material: Used burnt bricks (standard size 1:2:4) for construction.
4. Economy & Religion
Agriculture: They were the first to produce Cotton in the world. They grew Wheat, Barley, Peas, and Mustard.
Trade: Had extensive trade relations with Mesopotamia (Sumeria). Mesopotamian texts refer to the Indus region as 'Meluha'.
Religion: They worshipped Mother Goddess (Matridevi) and Pashupati Shiva. They also worshipped Pipal trees and amulets for protection against evil.
5. Decline of the Civilization
Around 1900 BCE, the civilization began to decline. Various theories exist:
- Floods: Suggested by S.R. Rao and Marshall.
- Aryan Invasion: Suggested by Mortimer Wheeler.
- Climate Change/Drying of Rivers: Most widely accepted theory.
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Indus Valley Civilization - 30 MCQs