Understanding the Indus Civilisation is a foundational step for any TNPSC aspirant aiming to master the history of ancient India. This remarkable Bronze Age society set the earliest standards for urban planning, hygiene, and maritime trade within the subcontinent. Questions from this topic are highly recurring in Group 1, 2, 2A, and 4 examinations, making it a critical area for scoring marks. You can attend the quiz above. For more detailed insights on the topic, refer to the study notes below, and be sure to check the 'How to Attend This Online Practice Test' section for navigation guidance.
TNPSC Syllabus Mapping: Unit III: History, Culture of India, and Indian National Movement - Indus Valley Civilization.
TNPSC Exam Weightage & Strategy
The Indus Civilisation is a high-yield topic in TNPSC exams, frequently tested for factual data regarding archaeological discoveries, town planning features, and the locations of major sites. Aspirants should prioritize memorizing the exact dates of excavations, the archaeologists involved (like Sir John Marshall and Alexander Cunningham), and the specific artifacts found at key locations such as Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, and Lothal. Creating a mental map of the geographical spread and focusing on unique characteristics like the Great Bath or the Lothal dockyard will ensure you can quickly eliminate incorrect options during the exam.
Study Notes for Indus Civilisation
Chronology & Discovery
- The Indus Civilisation belongs to the Bronze Age, spanning a time frame from 3300 to 1900 BCE (determined using the radiocarbon dating method).
- The civilisation covered an extensive area of 13 lakh sq.km, encompassing 6 big cities and more than 200 villages.
- Charles Masson, a British East India Company soldier and explorer, was the first to document the ruins of Harappa in his book.
- In 1924, Sir John Marshall, the Director General of the ASI, discovered common features between Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, eventually concluding that Harappa was older.
- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was founded in 1861 with Alexander Cunningham as its first Surveyor, and its headquarters is located in New Delhi.
- Mehergarh, located near the Bolan Basin of Balochistan, is a Neolithic site dating back to 7000 BCE and is considered the precursor to the Indus Civilisation.
Urban Planning & Architecture
- Cities were meticulously planned into two areas: the higher 'Upper Town' (Citadel) used by administrators, and the larger 'Lower Town' in the east inhabited by common people.
- The streets followed a distinct grid pattern, running straight and intersecting at right angles, with houses built on both sides.
- The Great Bath in Mohenjo-Daro is recognized as one of the earliest examples of a water-proof structure, lined with bricks and sealed with natural bitumen.
- A massive Great Granary with a solid brick foundation was found in Harappa, primarily used to store wheat, barley, millets, sesame, and pulses.
- Mohenjo-Daro featured an Assembly Hall, which was a large multi-pillared public building consisting of 20 pillars arranged in 4 rows.
- Every house had an advanced drainage system where a soak pit collected sediments, allowing only water to flow into covered street drains.
Trade, Transport & Economy
- A naval dockyard was excavated at Lothal (situated on a tributary of the Sabarmati river in Gujarat), serving as concrete evidence of extensive maritime trade activities.
- The Harappans were active traders who utilized standardized weights and measures, including carts equipped with spokeless solid wheels.
- An ivory scale discovered at Lothal measures 1704mm, which represents the smallest division ever recorded on a scale among contemporary civilisations.
- There is evidence of trade with Mesopotamia; King Naram-Sin of the Akkadian Empire bought jewellery from the land of 'Melukha' (a region of the Indus Valley).
- Cylindrical seals similar to those found in the Persian Gulf and Mesopotamia have been unearthed in the Indus area, confirming strong trade links.
Culture, Society & Beliefs
- Iron and the horse were completely unknown to the people of the Indus Civilisation.
- Copper was the first metal discovered and extensively used by early humans in this region.
- Both men and women wore ornaments, often utilizing a specific red quartz stone called Carnelian to design their jewellery.
- The script used by the Indus people consists of pictographs and remains entirely undeciphered by modern historians.
- No conclusive evidence of palaces or specific temples has been found; religious beliefs likely centered around the worship of the Mother Goddess, symbolizing fertility.
- Several places in present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan bear names found in ancient Tamil Sangam literature (such as Korkai, Vanji, and Tondi).
- The archaeological site at Mohenjo-Daro has been officially declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
How to Attend This Online Practice Test
Our platform is completely seamless and designed to mirror the actual TNPSC exam interface. The test below is fully active and ready for you to begin attempting the questions right away. Use the following features to enhance your practice session:
- Question Navigator: Look for the grid panel on your screen. This allows you to instantly jump to any specific question, keep track of which items you have answered, and easily spot skipped questions.
- Bilingual Toggle: Switch languages effortlessly! Use the toggle switch to flip the test content between English and Tamil whenever you need better clarity on a specific question.
- Instant Summary: Once you complete the paper, submit your answers to instantly generate your performance report. You will receive immediate results detailing your correct and incorrect answers, along with comprehensive explanations.