Class 12 · History · CBSE Board · 2016–2025

Bricks, Beads and Bones — Class 12 History PYQs

38 questions from this chapter, asked in 8 Class 12 exams between 2016–2025 — every question paper set included, duplicates removed.

38questions
8Class 12 exams
2016–2025years covered

Questions asked per year

Practice questions first 10 of 38 — free

Q1MCQ2025

Which of the following is correct regarding Harappan script ?

(A)This script was alphabetical.
(B)It was written from left to right.
(C)This script has not been deciphered so far.
(D)This script has a few signs or symbols.
Q2MCQ2025

In which of the following sites of Harappan civilization, the terracotta models of plough have been discovered ?

(A)Kalibangan and Dholavira
(B)Shortughai and Lothal
(C)Banawali and Cholistan
(D)Sanghol and Rakhigarhi
Q3MCQ2025

Two statements have been given below as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read them carefully and choose correct option.
Assertion (A) : Harappa was a well-planned city.
Reason (R) : It had a well-planned drainage system.
Options :

(A)Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct reasoning of (A).
(B)Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct reasoning of (A).
(C)(A) is correct but (R) is not correct.
(D)(A) is not correct but (R) is correct.
Q4MCQ2025

Which one of the following was a distinctive feature of Harappan architecture ?

(A)Use of Wood
(B)Use of Iron
(C)Use of Bricks
(D)Use of Marble
Q5MCQ2025
(A)Why were the seals and sealings used by the Harappans to facilitate long distance communication ? Explain with examples. OR
(B)"There were different views of archaeologists on the administration of Harappa." Explain the statement with examples.

Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow :
The most ancient system yet discovered
About the drains, Mackay noted : "It is certainly the most complete ancient system as yet discovered." Every house was connected to the street drains. The main channels were made of bricks set in mortar and were covered with loose bricks that could be removed for cleaning. In some cases, limestone was used for the covers. House drains first emptied into a sump or cesspit into which solid matter settled while waste water flowed out into the street drains. Very long drainage channels were provided at intervals with sumps for cleaning. It is a wonder of archaeology that "little heaps of material, mostly sand, have frequently been found lying alongside drainage channels, which shows... that the debris was not always carted away when the drain was cleared".
From Ernest Mackay, Early Indus Civilisation, 1948
Drainage systems were not unique to the larger cities, but were found in smaller settlements as well. At Lothal for example, while houses were built of mud bricks, drains were made of burnt bricks.
31.1 Analyse the possible reason behind the uniformity in the drainage systems across the Harappan cities.
31.2 Analyse the implications of finding little heaps of material, mostly sand, alongside drainage channels.
31.3 Assess the impact of Harappan drainage system.

Q7MCQ2024

Which of the following was the best source of lapis lazuli in the Harappan sites ?

(A)Nageshwar
(B)Manda
(C)Rakhigarhi
(D)Shortughai
Q8MCQ2024

Which of the following statements is not correct about the subsistence strategy of Harappa ?

(A)Terracotta sculpture of oxen indicates ploughing.
(B)Two sets of furrows at right angles indicate two cropping patterns.
(C)Traces of canals have been found at Shortughai, Afghanistan.
(D)Deep water reservoirs have been found in Sindh for irrigation.
Q9MCQ2024
(A)Why is the Harappan script called an enigmatic script ? Explain. OR
(B)Why is the Harappan drainage system considered a planned and complete drainage system ? Explain.
Q10MCQ2024
(A)"The most unique feature of the Harappan civilization was the development of urban centres." Explain. OR
(B)Explain the role of various archaeologists in the discovery of Harappa.

Why practise Bricks, Beads and Bones PYQs?

Bricks, Beads and Bones has appeared in 8 Class 12 History exams we track between 2016–2025. CBSE Board examiners consistently reuse concepts and question patterns from this topic — practising its previous year questions is the most reliable way to know exactly what to expect in your exam.

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