Kot Diji – UPSC Notes (Simple & Concise)

Location:

• Located in Sindh, Pakistan
• Near the Indus River, east of Mohenjo-daro

Discovery:

• Excavated by F.A. Khan in 1955

Time Period:

• Pre-Harappan site
• Dates to around 3300–2600 BCE (Early Harappan Phase)

Important Features:

• Fortified town with a citadel and lower residential area
• Houses built with mud bricks
• Early evidence of fortification and town planning

Significance:

• Precursor to mature Harappan cities like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa
• Shows early developments in:
  • Pottery (red pottery with black designs)
  • Tools (stone tools and copper objects)
  • Agriculture and animal domestication

Special Finds:

• Handmade and wheel-made pottery
• Copper tools
• Beads and bangles

Cultural Link:

• Represents the transition from rural to urban life
• Helped in understanding the evolution of Indus Valley Civilization

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Objective-Type Questions (MCQs)

1. Kot Diji is located in which country today?
   a) India
   b) Afghanistan
   c) Pakistan
   d) Nepal
   Ans: c) Pakistan

2. Which archaeologist excavated Kot Diji?
   a) Ernest Mackay
   b) R.D. Banerji
   c) F.A. Khan
   d) N.G. Majumdar
   Ans: c) F.A. Khan

3. Kot Diji belongs to which phase of the Indus Valley Civilization?
   a) Mature Harappan
   b) Pre-Harappan / Early Harappan
   c) Post-Harappan
   d) Vedic Period
   Ans: b) Pre-Harappan / Early Harappan

4. Which of the following is a key feature of Kot Diji?
   a) Large temples
   b) Citadel and town planning
   c) Buddhist stupas
   d) Rock-cut caves
   Ans: b) Citadel and town planning

5. What type of pottery was found in Kot Diji?
   a) Painted grey ware
   b) Northern black polished ware
   c) Red pottery with black designs
   d) Black and red ware
   Ans: c) Red pottery with black designs