Ancient History (General Knowledge)

Ancient History (General Knowledge)


Major Sites and Findings of the Indus Valley Civilization


Period: Around 2500 BCE – 1750 BCE
Region: Present-day Pakistan and north-western India
Main Features: Planned cities, drainage system, trade, use of script, and advanced craftsmanship


   1. Harappa – Punjab (Pakistan)



  • Granary (storehouse for grains) discovered

  • Seals with animal figures and inscriptions

  • Cemetery R-37 → proof of burial practice

  • Terracotta figurines and stone weights


   2. Mohenjo-daro – Sindh (Pakistan)



  • Famous Great Bath (public bathing tank)

  • Granary (grain storage)

  • Bronze “Dancing Girl” statue

  • Seal depicting “Proto-Shiva” or “Pashupati” figure

  • Well-planned drainage and streets


   3. Dholavira – Gujarat (Kutch)



  • Large water reservoirs for rainwater harvesting

  • Stadium-like structure and open grounds

  • Inscribed signboard with longest Indus script text

  • Example of highly advanced town planning


   4. Lothal – Gujarat (near Gulf of Khambhat)



  • Dockyard connected to the sea (for trade)

  • Bead-making and jewelry workshops

  • Fire altars and terracotta figurines

  • Efficient drainage system


   5. Rakhigarhi – Haryana



  • Largest Indus Valley site discovered so far

  • Evidence of planned city layout

  • Pottery and human skeletons found

  • Indications of a trade and cultural center


   6. Kalibangan – Rajasthan



  • Fire altars → used for religious rituals

  • Ploughed fields → evidence of agriculture

  • Decorated glass bangles and pottery

  • Brick-paved streets and houses


   7. Chanhudaro – Sindh (Pakistan)



  • Bead and bangle-making units

  • Clay toys, figurines, and tools

  • Centre of small-scale industries and crafts


   8. Banawali – Haryana



  • Grains of barley and mustard found

  • Fire altars and terracotta objects

  • Town planning and domestic structures


   9. Surkotada – Gujarat



  • Bones of horses → unique evidence

  • Fortified settlement (defensive walls)

  • Pottery with geometric designs


   10. Kot Diji – Sindh (Pakistan)



  • Black and red pottery

  • Fortification walls for protection

  • Clay figurines and bangles

  • Evidence of pre-Harappan occupation


Quick Revision Points


1.     Largest site: Rakhigarhi (India)


2.     First discovered site: Harappa (1921 CE)


3.     Most famous site: Mohenjo-daro


4.     Evidence of horse: Surkotada


5.     Dockyard: Lothal


6.     Fire altars: Kalibangan


7.     Signboard inscription: Dholavira


8.     Bronze Dancing Girl: Mohenjo-daro


1.     Who is considered the "Father of History"?


Ans: Herodotus


2.      Which river is associated with Harappan Civilization ?


Ans: Indus


3.      Invention of wheel is credited to which ancient civilization ?


Ans: Sumerians


    4.  Which civilization is known for creation of the first alphabet ?


Ans: Phoenician


    5.  Which ancient civilization built the city of Machu Picchu ?


Ans: Inca


    6.  What was the main language of the Roman Empire ?


Ans: Latin


    7.  Who was the founder of the Maurya Empire in India ?


Ans: Chandragupta


    8.  Epic of Gilgamesh' is associated with which civilization ?


Ans: Mesopotamian


    9.  Which Greek city was known for its military-oriented society ?


Ans: Sparta


   10.   Term for large tomb structures used by the ancient Egyptians is:


Ans: Pyramid


    11.   The Great Pyramid of Giza was built for which pharaoh ?


Ans: Khufu


    12.   Rosetta Stone helped scholars to decipher which ancient script ?


Ans: Egyptian hieroglyphs


    13.   The ancient city of Carthage was located in which country ?


Ans: Tunisia


    14.   Who was the last Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt ?


Ans: Cleopatra VII


    15.   Confucius lived during which Chinese dynasty ?


Ans: Zhou


     16.   Hanging Gardens, wonder of the ancient world, located in:


Ans: Babylon