A. Excavation
1. What is archaeological excavation?
A) Study of ancient texts
B) Scientific digging of ancient sites
C) Collection of old coins
D) Study of inscriptions
Answer: B
Explanation: Excavation is the scientific process of digging and recording material remains to study human past.
2. Which Harappan site was discovered first?
A) Mohenjo-daro
B) Harappa
C) Kalibangan
D) Lothal
Answer: B
Explanation: Harappa was discovered in 1921 by Daya Ram Sahni.
3. Who is known as the father of Indian archaeology?
A) Alexander Cunningham
B) John Marshall
C) Mortimer Wheeler
D) R.D. Banerjee
Answer: A
Explanation: Alexander Cunningham founded the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
4. Mohenjo-daro was excavated by—
A) R.E.M. Wheeler
B) Daya Ram Sahni
C) R.D. Banerjee
D) H.D. Sankalia
Answer: C
Explanation: R.D. Banerjee discovered Mohenjo-daro in 1922.
5. Excavation helps in understanding—
A) Political history only
B) Economic history only
C) Cultural and material life
D) Religious texts
Answer: C
Explanation: Excavation reveals tools, houses, pottery, food habits, and lifestyle.
6. Which material is most commonly found during excavations?
A) Gold
B) Silver
C) Pottery
D) Diamonds
Answer: C
Explanation: Pottery is the most durable and common archaeological remain.
7. Stratigraphy refers to—
A) Carbon dating
B) Layer-wise excavation
C) Coin study
D) Script study
Answer: B
Explanation: Stratigraphy studies different layers of soil deposits.
8. Which site provides evidence of dockyard?
A) Harappa
B) Mohenjo-daro
C) Lothal
D) Kalibangan
Answer: C
Explanation: Lothal (Gujarat) had a dockyard, indicating maritime trade.
9. Fire altars are found at—
A) Lothal
B) Kalibangan
C) Dholavira
D) Harappa
Answer: B
Explanation: Kalibangan shows evidence of fire altars.
10.The Great Bath belongs to—
A) Harappa
B) Lothal
C) Mohenjo-daro
D) Rakhigarhi
Answer: C
Explanation: Great Bath suggests ritual bathing practices.
11. Evidence of ploughed field was found at—
A) Dholavira
B) Banawali
C) Kalibangan
D) Surkotada
Answer: C
Explanation: Kalibangan provides earliest evidence of plough agriculture.
12. What does excavation NOT reveal?
A) House plans
B) Tools
C) Exact language pronunciation
D) Ornaments
Answer: C
Explanation: Language pronunciation cannot be determined directly.
13. Wheel-made pottery indicates—
A) Primitive culture
B) Advanced technology
C) Nomadic life
D) Hunting society
Answer: B
Explanation: Wheel technology indicates technological progress.
14. ASI was established in—
A) 1851
B) 1861
C) 1871
D) 1901
Answer: B
Explanation: ASI was founded in 1861.
15. Which age is identified through stone tools?
A) Neolithic
B) Chalcolithic
C) Paleolithic
D) Iron Age
Answer: C
Explanation: Paleolithic age is marked by stone tools.
16. Black and Red Ware belongs to—
A) Paleolithic
B) Neolithic
C) Chalcolithic
D) Mesolithic
Answer: C
Explanation: BRW is typical of Chalcolithic culture.
17. Dholavira is famous for—
A) Dockyard
B) Fire altars
C) Water management
D) Cave paintings
Answer: C
Explanation: Dholavira had advanced water conservation system.
18. Excavation is a—
A) Reversible process
B) Destructive process
C) Temporary activity
D) Religious activity
Answer: B
Explanation: Once excavated, a site cannot be restored.
19. Which site is in Haryana?
A) Lothal
B) Rakhigarhi
C) Dholavira
D) Surkotada
Answer: B
Explanation: Rakhigarhi is located in Haryana.
20. Archaeological remains include—
A) Coins
B) Pottery
C) Inscriptions
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: All material remains are archaeological sources.
21. Which tool is used for dating organic remains?
A) Stratigraphy
B) Thermoluminescence
C) Carbon-14
D) Numismatics
Answer: C
Explanation: Carbon dating is used for organic materials.
22. Harappans mainly used—
A) Iron
B) Copper and Bronze
C) Pure gold
D) Stone only
Answer: B
Explanation: Harappans belonged to the Bronze Age.
23. Burials found during excavation show—
A) Architecture
B) Trade
C) Religious beliefs
D) Agriculture
Answer: C
Explanation: Burial practices indicate religious ideas.
24. The citadel suggests—
A) Private houses
B) Political authority
C) Burial ground
D) Market area
Answer: B
Explanation: Citadels indicate administrative control.
25. Excavation mainly helps in studying—
A) Prehistory
B) Modern history
C) Contemporary politics
D) Literature
Answer: A
Explanation: Prehistory depends entirely on archaeological excavation.
B. Exploration
26. Exploration is a—
A. Destructive process
B. Non-destructive process
C. Religious activity
D. Laboratory method
Answer: B
Explanation: Exploration does not disturb archaeological layers.
27. Archaeological exploration means—
A) Deep digging
B) Surface survey
C) Carbon dating
D) Coin study
Answer: B
Explanation: Exploration involves surveying and locating sites.
28. Exploration is done before—
A) Excavation
B) Epigraphy
C) Numismatics
D) Conservation
Answer: A
Explanation: Sites are identified first through exploration.
29. Who explored many Buddhist sites?
A) Cunningham
B) Wheeler
C) Banerjee
D) Marshall
Answer: A
Explanation: Cunningham explored ancient Buddhist sites.
30. Exploration helps to—
A) Destroy sites
B) Locate new sites
C) Translate inscriptions
D) Mint coins
Answer: B
Explanation: It helps identify archaeological locations.
31. Which tool is important in modern exploration?
A) GPS
B) Chisel
C) Hammer
D) Furnace
Answer: A
Explanation: GPS and satellite imagery help locate sites.
32. Exploration is less expensive than excavation—
A) True
B) False
Answer: A
Explanation: It involves survey, not deep digging.
33. Pottery scatter indicates—
A) Temple
B) Settlement
C) Burial
D) River
Answer: B
Explanation: Pottery on surface suggests human habitation.
34. River valleys are important for exploration because—
A) Religious value
B) Fertile land
C) Trade routes
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Early settlements grew near rivers.
35. Exploration does NOT involve—
A) Walking surveys
B) Mapping
C) Site listing
D) Deep trench digging
Answer: D
Explanation: Digging is part of excavation.
36. Exploration helps in reconstructing—
A) Settlement patterns
B) Grammar
C) Poetry
D) Astrology
Answer: A
Explanation: It shows distribution of settlements.
37. Which region has most Harappan sites?
A) Indo-Gangetic plain
B) Deccan
C) Indus basin
D) Himalayas
Answer: C
Explanation: Harappan civilization flourished in Indus basin.
38. Exploration mainly provides—
A) Detailed chronology
B) Preliminary data
C) Exact dates
D) Language meaning
Answer: B
Explanation: Exploration provides basic information.
39. Archaeological map shows—
A) Battles
B) Site distribution
C) Kings list
D) Inscriptions
Answer: B
Explanation: It marks location of archaeological sites.
40. The main aim of exploration is to—
A) Destroy old remains
B) Locate ancient settlements
C) Translate inscriptions
D) Preserve monuments
Answer: B
Explanation: Exploration helps identify and map ancient habitation sites.
41. Archaeological exploration mainly refers to—
A) Scientific digging of sites
B) Study of inscriptions
C) Surface survey to locate sites
D) Conservation of monuments
Answer: C
Explanation: Exploration involves surveying land to identify possible archaeological sites without excavation.
42. The first step in archaeological investigation is—
A) Epigraphy
B) Excavation
C) Numismatics
D) Exploration
Answer: D
Explanation: Exploration identifies sites before any detailed study begins.
43. Archaeological exploration is generally a—
A) Destructive process
B) Costly process
C) Non-destructive process
D) Industrial activity
Answer: C
Explanation: It does not disturb soil layers or damage remains.
44.Who is regarded as the pioneer of archaeological exploration in India?
A) Mortimer Wheeler
B) Alexander Cunningham
C) R.D. Banerjee
D) H.D. Sankalia
Answer: B
Explanation: Cunningham explored and documented many ancient Indian sites.
45. Surface pottery collection during exploration indicates—
A) Burial ground
B) Human settlement
C) River bed
D) Forest area
Answer: B
Explanation: Pottery fragments on the surface are signs of habitation.
46.Which modern tool is widely used in archaeological exploration?
A) Carbon-14 dating
B) Stratigraphy
C) GPS and satellite imagery
D) Die-striking
Answer: C
Explanation: Remote sensing helps identify buried structures.
47. Exploration helps archaeologists to understand—
A) Settlement pattern
B) Literary criticism
C) Astrology
D) Linguistics
Answer: A
Explanation: It reveals how ancient settlements were distributed.
48. Walking surveys are associated with—
A) Numismatics
B) Epigraphy
C) Excavation
D) Exploration
Answer: D
Explanation: Field walking is a key method in exploration.
49. Which region in India has a high concentration of Harappan sites?
A) Deccan Plateau
B) Indo-Gangetic plain
C) Indus basin
D) Himalayan region
Answer: C
Explanation: Harappan civilization flourished in the Indus basin.
50. Exploration is carried out mainly to—
A) Restore monuments
B) Decide excavation locations
C) Translate inscriptions
D) Date coins
Answer: B
Explanation: Exploration helps select suitable areas for excavation.
C. Epigraphy
51. Epigraphy is the study of—
A) Coins
B) Pottery
C) Inscriptions
D) Sculptures
Answer: C
Explanation: Epigraphy deals with the study and interpretation of inscriptions engraved on hard surfaces.
52. Inscriptions were commonly engraved on—
A) Stone
B) Copper plates
C) Pillars
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Inscriptions were written on stone, metal plates, and pillars.
53. Brahmi script was deciphered by—
A) Alexander Cunningham
B) James Prinsep
C) R.E.M. Wheeler
D) Daya Ram Sahni
Answer: B
Explanation: James Prinsep deciphered the Brahmi script in 1837.
54. Most of Ashoka’s inscriptions are written in—
A) Sanskrit
B) Pali
C) Prakrit
D) Tamil
Answer: C
Explanation: Ashoka used Prakrit for better public understanding.
55. Which type of inscriptions records land grants?
A) Rock edicts
B) Cave inscriptions
C) Copper plate inscriptions
D) Pillar edicts
Answer: C
Explanation: Copper plates were durable and portable, ideal for recording land donations.
56. Allahabad Pillar inscription gives information about—
A) Ashoka
B) Harsha
C) Samudragupta
D) Chandragupta Maurya
Answer: C
Explanation: It is a prashasti praising Samudragupta’s achievements.
57. Junagarh inscription is associated with—
A) Ashoka
B) Rudradaman
C) Kanishka
D) Skandagupta
Answer: B
Explanation: Junagarh inscription records the achievements of Rudradaman.
58. Epigraphy is important because inscriptions are—
A) Myths
B) Secondary sources
C) Contemporary records
D) Imaginary accounts
Answer: C
Explanation: Inscriptions are contemporary and reliable sources of history.
59. Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions belong to—
A) North India
B) South India
C) Central Asia
D) Afghanistan
Answer: B
Explanation: These inscriptions are found in Tamil Nadu and nearby regions.
60. Gupta period inscriptions were written mostly in—
A) Pali
B) Prakrit
C) Sanskrit
D) Apabhramsha
Answer: C
Explanation: Sanskrit became the official language during the Gupta period.
61. Mehrauli Iron Pillar inscription refers to the reign of—
A) Ashoka
B) Chandragupta II
C) Harsha
D) Samudragupta
Answer: B
Explanation: The inscription mentions victories of Chandragupta II.
62. Cave inscriptions are mainly associated with—
A) Mauryan period
B) Mughal period
C) British period
D) Medieval period
Answer: A
Explanation: Many Mauryan cave inscriptions were issued by Ashoka.
63. Aihole inscription describes the achievements of—
A) Harsha
B) Pulakesin II
C) Rajaraja Chola
D) Ashoka
Answer: B
Explanation: Aihole inscription praises Pulakesin II.
64. Hathigumpha inscription was issued by—
A) Ashoka
B) Kharavela
C) Samudragupta
D) Rudradaman
Answer: B
Explanation: It records the achievements of King Kharavela of Kalinga.
65. Temple inscriptions mainly provide information about—
A) War strategies
B) Donations and administration
C) Foreign invasions
D) Natural disasters
Answer: B
Explanation: They record land grants, taxes, and local governance.
66. Inscriptions help historians to fix—
A) Climate change
B) Chronology
C) Soil fertility
D) Astrology
Answer: B
Explanation: Dates and regnal years help establish timelines.
67. Which dynasty has produced the largest number of inscriptions?
A) Maurya
B) Gupta
C) Chola
D) Kushana
Answer: C
Explanation: Cholas issued thousands of inscriptions, especially in South India.
68. Royal titles are best known from—
A) Coins
B) Pottery
C) Inscriptions
D) Sculptures
Answer: C
Explanation: Inscriptions record titles and achievements of rulers.
69. Inscriptions fixed on rocks and walls are—
A) Movable sources
B) Immoveable sources
C) Literary sources
D) Oral sources
Answer: B
Explanation: Such inscriptions cannot be shifted easily.
70. Prashastis are—
A) Tax records
B) Administrative orders
C) Eulogies of kings
D) Religious hymns
Answer: C
Explanation: Prashastis glorify rulers and their achievements.
71. Edicts were mainly issued to—
A) Praise kings
B) Spread royal commands and moral teachings
C) Collect revenue
D) Record trade
Answer: B
Explanation: Ashokan edicts spread dhamma and royal instructions.
72. Indus script is important because it—
A) Is fully understood
B) Has been deciphered
C) Remains undeciphered
D) Is a modern script
Answer: C
Explanation: The Indus script is still not deciphered.
73. Copper plate inscriptions are considered reliable because—
A) They are decorative
B) They are durable and official records
C) They are written in poetry
D) They show religious beliefs
Answer: B
Explanation: Copper plates were official and long-lasting documents.
74. Epigraphy mainly helps in reconstructing—
A) Fictional stories
B) Political and administrative history
C) Weather conditions
D) Future events
Answer: B
Explanation: Inscriptions give factual details about governance and rulers.
75. Kharosthi script was mainly used in—
A) South India
B) Central India
C) North-West India
D) Eastern India
Answer: C
Explanation: Kharosthi script was popular in the north-western regions.
D. Numismatic
76. Numismatics is the study of—
A) Inscriptions
B) Coins
C) Pottery
D) Monuments
Answer: B
Explanation: Numismatics deals with the study of coins, currency, and monetary history.
77. Coins are considered important archaeological sources because they are—
A) Literary in nature
B) Contemporary records
C) Decorative objects
D) Religious texts
Answer: B
Explanation: Coins are issued during the reign of rulers and reflect contemporary conditions.
78. The earliest coins used in India were—
A) Die-struck coins
B) Cast coins
C) Gold coins
D) Punch-marked coins
Answer: D
Explanation: Punch-marked coins are the earliest form of coins in India.
79. Punch-marked coins belong mainly to the—
A) Harappan period
B) Vedic period
C) Mauryan period
D) Gupta period
Answer: C
Explanation: These coins were widely used during the Mauryan period.
80. Indo-Greek coins are significant because they—
A) Have no inscriptions
B) Use only Sanskrit
C) Contain bilingual inscriptions
D) Are made of iron
Answer: C
Explanation: Indo-Greek coins used Greek and Kharosthi/Brahmi scripts.
81. Gupta rulers mostly issued—
A) Copper coins
B) Iron coins
C) Silver coins
D) Gold coins
Answer: D
Explanation: Gupta gold coins indicate economic prosperity.
82. Coins help historians to study—
A) Economy and trade
B) Political authority
C) Religious beliefs
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Coins depict rulers, deities, trade symbols, and economic conditions.
83. Roman coins found in India suggest—
A) Roman invasion
B) Political rule
C) Trade relations with Rome
D) Cultural domination
Answer: C
Explanation: Roman coins show active trade between India and Rome.
84. Which ruler’s coins depict the Ashvamedha sacrifice?
A) Chandragupta Maurya
B) Kanishka
C) Samudragupta
D) Harsha
Answer: C
Explanation: Samudragupta issued Ashvamedha-type gold coins.
85. Coins without dates are dated on the basis of—
A) Size only
B) Weight only
C) Script and style
D) Shape only
Answer: C
Explanation: Script, symbols, and technique help determine the period.
86. Copper coins were mainly used for—
A) Large trade transactions
B) Foreign trade
C) Daily small transactions
D) Royal donations
Answer: C
Explanation: Copper coins were used for everyday use by common people.
87. Coin legends usually provide information about—
A) King’s name and titles
B) Religion
C) Language
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Legends include names, titles, and religious beliefs.
88. Which dynasty issued the largest number of gold coins?
A) Maurya
B) Gupta
C) Kushana
D) Chola
Answer: B
Explanation: The Gupta dynasty is famous for abundant gold coinage.
89. Kushana coins are important because they depict—
A) Only Indian gods
B) Only Greek gods
C) Indian and foreign deities
D) No religious symbols
Answer: C
Explanation: Kushana coins show religious diversity and tolerance.
90. Satavahana coins often contain symbols of—
A) Ships
B) Temples
C) Mountains
D) Forts
Answer: A
Explanation: Ship symbols indicate maritime trade.
91. Coin hoards help in understanding—
A) Monetary system
B) Trade intensity
C) Economic conditions
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Hoards reveal circulation and wealth.
92. Portrait coins were first introduced in India by—
A) Mauryas
B) Guptas
C) Indo-Greeks
D) Mughals
Answer: C
Explanation: Indo-Greeks introduced portrait coins in India.
93. Mughal coins are different because they—
A) Had ruler portraits
B) Had inscriptions only
C) Were made of iron
D) Had no dates
Answer: B
Explanation: Mughal coins mainly carried inscriptions.
94. Sher Shah Suri introduced the—
A) Gold mohra
B) Silver rupiya
C) Copper paisa
D) Gold dinar
Answer: B
Explanation: He standardized the silver rupiya.
95. Coins are considered movable archaeological sources—
A) True
B) False
Answer: A
Explanation: Coins can be easily transported.
96. Metal purity in coins indicates—
A) Artistic skill
B) Metallurgical knowledge
C) Political ideology
D) Religious belief
Answer: B
Explanation: High purity shows advanced metal technology.
97. Symbols on coins often represent—
A) Royal authority
B) Religious faith
C) Economic power
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Coin symbols carry multiple meanings.
98. Coins help confirm information from—
A) Pottery
B) Inscriptions
C) Literary sources
D) Both B and C
Answer: D
Explanation: Coins verify data from texts and inscriptions.
99. Roman gold coins found in South India are known as—
A) Denarii
B) Aurei
C) Dinars
D) Mohars
Answer: B
Explanation: Roman aurei indicate Indo-Roman trade.
100. Numismatics mainly helps in reconstructing—
A) Future economy
B) Cultural myths
C) Ancient economic and political history
D) Literary tradition
Answer: C
Explanation: Coins reveal economy, rulers, and administration.
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