Indus Valley Civilization — UPSC Prelims PYQs

6 questions in this bank come from Indus Valley Civilization, spanning UPSC Prelims papers from 2011 to 2026. Every question here carries all four options, the correct answer and a full explanation.

It has appeared in 6 of the last 16 papers, most heavily in 2026 with 1 question. That makes it an occasional area rather than a fixture.

The themes examined most often within it are Harappan civilization elements (5) and Difference between Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley Civilization (1). Those counts are of questions in which the theme is examined, not merely mentioned.

Between them they draw on 2 distinct themes, so this is a broader area than a single revision note can cover. That is 0.4% of the 1433 questions in the bank — useful for deciding how much revision time it deserves.

Its weight has held steady, at roughly 0.4 questions a year across the last five papers.

It was not examined in 10 of those papers. Each question below links to its full explanation and to related questions on the same theme from other years, so a weak area can be worked through in one pass rather than hunted for paper by paper.

UPSC Prelims 20261 question

History
Consider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns: I. There is wide occurrence of spindle-whorls in the houses but absence of spinning wheels. II. Weights and measurement scales, complete with graduations have been discovered. III. There are houses built in large part with baked bricks, around relatively spacious courtyards, with their own wells, bathing platforms, and large rooms. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements? 1. Statement I suggests that spinning was a laborious activity done at home. 2. Statement II suggests the extent of the scientific knowledge that the Harappans possessed. 3. Statement III suggests the emergence of a common property system. Select the answer using the code given below:

UPSC Prelims 20251 question

History
The famous female figurine known as 'Dancing Girl', found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of

UPSC Prelims 20191 question

History
Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?

UPSC Prelims 20171 question

History
With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of the Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them. 2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron. 3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

UPSC Prelims 20131 question

History
Which of the following characterises/characterises the people of the Indus Civilization? 1. They possessed great palaces and temples. 2. They worshipped both male and female deities. 3. They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare. Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below

UPSC Prelims 20111 question

History
Regarding the Indus valley civilization, consider the following statements: 1. It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene. 2. During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?