History MCQs for Prelims – 23rd June 2025

Welcome to today’s curated set of MCQs from the History segments, specially aligned with the evolving trend of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. These questions are not just a quiz, but a resource designed to familiarize you with the exact nature of questions asked in Prelims — where static concepts are tested through a current affairs lens.

Each question below is framed using recent developments in the news and backed by clear, concise explanations to help you link dynamic events with foundational knowledge.

Use this as a daily revision tool to refine your understanding, build context, and learn how UPSC frames conceptual questions from contemporary issues.

 Click Here to read the Current Affairs Total (CAT) Magazine for January 2025- April 2025.

 

Question 1 Consider the following statements about the comparison between the Indus Valley Civilisation and other ancient civilisations:

1. The Indus Valley Civilisation had a script that remains undeciphered, unlike the Egyptian hieroglyphs, which have been largely decoded.
2. Like Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley Civilisation was known for its advanced urban planning and drainage systems.
3. Unlike the Chinese civilisation, the Indus Valley Civilisation did not leave behind any monumental structures like large palaces or temples.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: d

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) is known for its undeciphered script, which sets it apart from the Egyptian civilisation that left behind a largely decoded script in the form of hieroglyphs.

Statement 2 is correct: Both the IVC and Mesopotamia are celebrated for their advanced urban planning and drainage systems, showcasing the sophistication of their urban centres.

Statement 3 is correct: Unlike the Chinese civilisation, which is known for its monumental structures, the IVC did not leave behind large palaces or temples, indicating a different focus in their societal development.

 

Question 2: Consider the following statements about the Technology and Crafts of the Indus Valley Civilisation:

1. The people of the Indus Valley Civilisation were known for their expertise in bead-making using materials like gold, silver, copper, and semi-precious stones.
2. The Indus Valley Civilisation had a sophisticated understanding of town planning but lacked in the development of any form of writing or script.
3. The Dockyard at Lothal is an example of their advanced understanding of hydraulic engineering.
4. The craftspeople of the Indus Valley Civilisation were skilled in pottery but did not practice metallurgy.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 1, 2, and 3 only
3. 2 and 4 only
4. 1, 3, and 4 only

Answer: a

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) was notable for its advanced urban planning, hydraulic engineering, and craftsmanship in bead-making and metallurgy. They used various materials for bead-making, including gold, silver, copper, and semi-precious stones.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The IVC did have a form of writing, though it remains undeciphered to this day

Statement 3 is correct: The Dockyard at Lothal is a significant example of their hydraulic engineering capabilities.

Statement 4 is incorrect: The IVC did practice metallurgy, as evident from artefacts made of copper, bronze, and other metals.

 

Question 3: Consider the following statements regarding the Indus Valley Civilization:

1. The civilization was primarily urban and exhibited advanced town planning.
2. The use of iron tools was widespread during this period.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: a

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Indus Valley Civilisation was notably urban in character, with planned cities featuring grid-like street layouts, well-constructed drainage systems, and standardised building materials like burnt bricks—hallmarks of advanced urban planning.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The civilisation belonged to the Bronze Age, and there is no evidence of widespread use of iron tools. Iron came into prominent use much later, during the later Vedic period.

 

Question 4: Consider the following statements regarding the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization:

1. Invasion by Aryans was the sole reason for the collapse of the civilization.
2. Climate change and shifting river courses contributed to the decline.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: b

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The theory that Aryan invasion caused the collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization has been largely discredited by recent archaeological and genetic evidence. Modern scholarship suggests that the decline was multi-causal, and attributing it solely to an external invasion oversimplifies a complex process.

Statement 2 is correct: Environmental factors such as climate change, decline in monsoon patterns, and shifting or drying of river systems like the Ghaggar-Hakra (often identified with the mythical Saraswati) are now considered major contributors to the civilization’s decline, leading to agricultural stress and eventual urban dispersal.

 

Question 5: Which of the following sites is the largest site of Indus Valley Civilization?

1. Mohenjo-Daro
2. Harappa
3. Surkatoda
4. Rakhigarhi

Answer: d

Explanation:

Rakhigarhi, located in present-day Haryana, India, is the largest known site of the Indus Valley Civilization. It spans over 350 hectares, surpassing even Mohenjo-Daro in size. Excavations have revealed a mature Harappan urban settlement, with evidence of craft specialization, burial practices, and a well-planned layout.