Ancient Indian History – 50 General Knowledge Questions on Prehistoric India for SSC / PCS Examinations

1. Who is known as the father of Indian Pre-History?

Robert Bruce Foote (1834-1912) was a British geologist and archaeologist, known as father of India’s prehistory. While being employed by Geological Survey of India, he conducted surveys of prehistoric locations in India, including parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. In 1863, he discovered Paleolithic tools at Pallavaram, Chennai which are now preserved at the Chennai Museum.

2. What was the main occupation of Palaeolithic people?

Hunting was the main occupation of Palaeolithic people during the Old Stone Age. They were nomadic hunter-gatherers who lived in caves and temporary shelters. They hunted wild animals, fished, and gathered fruits and edible plants for food. They made simple stone tools like cleavers, hand axes and chopper-chopping tools for hunting, cutting meat and scraping hides.

3. In which valley have all the Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic sites been found in sequence?

In the Belan valley located in Uttar Pradesh, all three phases – the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic cultures have been found in sequence providing continuity and linking the prehistoric cultures. Several sites in the valley have stone tools and artifacts typical of each of these ages.

4. In which state/UT is the prehistoric site Gufkral located?

Gufkral is a prehistoric Neolithic and Chalcolithic site located in Jammu and Kashmir union territory. Situated near Gulmarg, the site has remains of pit dwellings indicating early human habitation in the region. Tools and pottery have also been found here.

5. In which culture was the oldest evidence for drilling of teeth in a living person found?

The oldest evidence for dental drilling in a living person is found at Mehrgarh which is a Neolithic site located near Bolan Pass in Balochistan, Pakistan. Eleven drilled molar crowns were discovered here that date back to 7,500 – 9000 years ago.

6. In which state is the site Adamagarh located which has provided earliest evidence of domestication of animals?

Adamagarh is located in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh. Excavations here have revealed remains of domesticated sheep, goats and cattle dating back to 6000 – 4000 BC, providing earliest evidence of animal husbandry in India.

7. In which state was the first Paleolithic site in India discovered?

The first evidence of Stone Age culture in India surfaced in Karnataka in 1842 when Dr. Primrose discovered polished stone knives and arrow heads at Lingsugur in Raichur district, making it the first Paleolithic site identified in the country.

8. At which site have the largest variety of food grains from the Chalcolithic age been found?

Navdatoli, located near Maheshwar town in Madhya Pradesh has revealed several varieties of food grains like rice, jowar, ragi etc. belonging to the Chalcolithic period making it the site with largest variety of produce dating 1500 – 1000 BC.

9. Where has the first evidence of cultivation of cotton been found?

The earliest evidence showing that cotton was cultivated has been found at Mehrgarh, a Neolithic site located near Bolan Pass in Balochistan, Pakistan which flourished around 6000 BC. Remains of cotton threads, fabric and bags were found here.

10. Where is the ancient site Deh Morasi Ghundai located?

Deh Morasi Ghundai is an ancient Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Bronze age site situated in Kandahar province of Afghanistan. First systematically excavated prehistoric site in the country, it has revealed stone tools, ceramics and evidence of agriculture.

11. In which country have the world’s first oil paintings been found?

The world’s first oil paintings were discovered in 2008 on the walls of caves located near the village of Bamiyan in central Afghanistan. These colorful paintings of figures and animals date back to more than the 5th century CE based on radiocarbon dating analysis.

12. What term best defines the Neolithic Revolution?

The Neolithic Revolution, also called the Agricultural Revolution, refers to the wide-scale transition of human cultures from nomadic hunting and gathering to agriculture and settlement that supported larger populations. It marked the beginning of systematic farming of crops and domestication of animals.

13. In which state was the Chalcolithic Jorwe culture first discovered?

The Jorwe culture, a Chalcolithic archaeological culture belonging to 1600 – 1000 BC, was first discovered in 1950-51 at Jorwe, a site located near Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra by archaeologists Hasmukh Dhirajlal Sankalia and Shantaram Bhalchandra Deo.

14. In which state are the Neolithic sites Kuchai and Golbai Sasan located?

The Neolithic sites Kuchai and Golbai Sasan are located in the Indian state of Odisha. Kuchai lies in Mayurbhanj district while Golbai Sasan is situated on the banks of Mandakini River in the southern part of the state, with artifacts distinct to the Neolithic period.

15. Which site has yielded cultural remains from Neolithic to Harappan era?

Mehrgarh, situated on the Kacchi plain near Bolan Pass in Balochistan, Pakistan is an agricultural settlement dating back to 7000 BC with continuous habitation till 2600 BC marking the start of the Indus Valley Civilisation. It has remains spanning the Neolithic age to Harappan era.

16. Which place is known for painted rock shelters from Paleolithic and Mesolithic ages?

Bhimbetka rock shelters, located about 45 km from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, contain some of the earliest Stone Age rock paintings in the world with some dating to 30000 years ago. They exhibit traces of life from the Paleolithic to Mesolithic times with vivid rock art.

17. Where are the Neolithic sites Giak and Kiari located?

Giak and Kiari are two Neolithic sites dating around 5000 – 4000 BC located in the Ladakh region situated on the left bank of River Indus at around 13000 feet altitude. They were excavated by a Japanese team led by Dr. Masato Ota in the 1990s.

18. Which era/culture does Jorwe represent?

Jorwe was a culture that flourished during 1600 – 1000 BC in the Chalcolithic period marked by artifacts showing a transition from the stone age to use of copper. The artifacts from the Jorwe sites hence represent the Chalcolithic era bridging late stone age and early metal age.

19. In which modern area did the Amri Culture develop?

The Amri Culture flourished around 4000 – 3300 BC in areas comprising Sindh and Balochistan provinces, located in modern day Pakistan. Amri sites contain remains typical of an early agricultural economy and village settlement pattern.

20. Which was most probably the first metal used in India?

Copper was the first metal to be used in India marking the inception of the Metal age. Remains of copper objects have been found from sites dating back to the Chalcolithic period around 3000 BC which marked the transition from using only stones as tools to use of metals.

21. After which site in which state has the Jorwe culture been named?

The Jorwe culture draws its name from the type site Jorwe located near Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra where this cultural remains belonging to 1600 – 1000 BC were first discovered in 1950s. Jorwe village has given its name to this major Chalcolithic culture.

22. Which term is not associated with an ancient tool tradition?

The terms Mousterian, Acheulean and Oldowan are associated with ancient stone tool techno-complexes and industries dating from lower Paleolithic to upper Paleolithic periods. However, the term Grotian is not related to any ancient stone tool typology or tradition. It is linked to the development of international law.

23. In which Stone Age did composite tools start appearing?

Composite tools made by hafting small stone pieces onto handles started appearing during the Mesolithic period about 12,000 – 10,000 years ago. These were tools like spears, harpoons arrows etc. made by fixing microliths to wooden handles.

24. In which stone age were Microliths commonly found?

Microliths which are small precision stone tools were the main type of implements found during the Mesolithic age (Middle Stone Age) dating between 12000 – 10000 years ago marking the transition phase between Paleolithic and Neolithic periods.

25. Which prehistoric site is an example of the Neolithic Age?

Located in Karnataka, Sanganakallu is an ancient settlement dating back to the Neolithic period around 1000 BC. The rectangular houses, burial sites, ash mounds, stone tools and other remains found here reflect a well-organized village culture typical of the Neolithic age.

26. Which site is an example of Banas culture?

Ahar near Udaipur city in Rajasthan is the key site that has revealed remains of the Banas culture belonging to 1700 – 1500 BC. The culture drew its name from the nearby Banas river. Ahar excavations have revealed typical artifacts of this Chalcolithic civilization.

27. In which state/UT did the Burzahom culture exist?

Burzahom was a Neolithic site located in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir near Srinagar. It flourished around 3000 – 1000 BC marked by pit dwellings, stone tools and the enigmatic Burzahom dog burial remains.

28. Where has the earliest evidence of humans in India been found?

The earliest evidence of human existence in India has been found at Bhimbetka rock shelters near Bhopal which contain Stone Age cave paintings by prehistoric hunter-gatherers from the Upper Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods dating back to 30000 years.

29. To which period do the Bhimbetka rock paintings generally belong?

Discovered in 1957, the vivid paintings on the walls and ceilings of Bhimbetka rock shelters mostly depict scenes of animal hunts by prehistoric groups, mainly from the middle stone age or Mesolithic period dating between 12000 – 10000 years ago.

30. Who is known as the father of Indian archaeology?

Alexander Cunningham is called as the father of Indian archaeology. Appointed in 1861, he was the first Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India during the British Raj and contributed immensely to the study, preservation and documentation of ancient Indian architecture and artifacts.

31. In which period was copper first used?

Copper was first used in the Chalcolithic period in India around 3000 BC. This period saw the first use of metals with copper being the earliest metal to be smelted and crafted into tools, weapons and ornaments to replace stone implements marking the end of the Stone Age.

32. In which state is the important Neolithic site Utnur located?

Utnur is a significant Neolithic site dating back to 2500 – 1200 BC located in Adilabad district of the state of Telangana. Excavations at Utnur have revealed ashmounds, distinctive earthen pottery, stone tools, and possible early evidence of a cattle/livestock economy.

33. At which site is the earliest evidence of settled agriculture in India found?

Mehrgarh, located near Bolan Pass in present-day Pakistan, shows early evidence of farming and herding way back in 7000 BC and is considered to be one of the earliest sites globally with proof of agriculture. It marks the beginnings of settled rural and agricultural life in the Indian subcontinent.

34. To which period do the Megaliths in South India belong?

Megaliths, which are prehistoric large stone burial monuments in south India date back to 1500 – 500 BC placing them in the Iron Age period, contemporaneous with the late Vedic period in north India. Megaliths represent an Iron Age culture likely built by ancestral South Indian Dravidian language speaking groups.

35. Which culture is known for Grey pottery?

Burzahom culture belonging to 3000 – 1300 BC, concentrated mainly in Kashmir valley, is identified by the distinct grey wheel-turned pottery found at its sites. This burnished grey ware is a classic marker of the Neolithic Burzahom site remains.

36. In which place is Ochre Coloured Pottery culture mainly found?

Ochre Coloured Pottery culture flourished primarily in western Uttar Pradesh and adjoining areas around 2300 – 1800 BCE during later Vedic period. OCP sites have yielded remains characteristic of thisCopper-Bronze age culture centered on the Ganga-Yamuna doab.

37. Which culture is associated with iron found for the first time in upper Ganga valley?

Painted Grey Ware culture flourished in parts of the upper Gangetic valley around 600 BCE coinciding with the emergence of iron technology amongst the affluent sections. Some PGW sites have revealed remains of early iron artifacts including weapons.

38. Which culture is associated with Megaliths?

The Megalithic culture flourishing across peninsular India around 1500 – 500 BCE built large stone burial structures called megaliths to commemorate dead ancestors in typical Iron age fashion. Their cultural remains are linked to these structures.

39. Which culture is known for Brownish red pottery?

The Neolithic culture of Bihar and parts of Bengal lasting from 2500 – 1200 BCE is identified by its brownish-red handmade pottery found abundantly at sites in this eastern region. It is also called Northern Black Polished Ware culture and marks the advent of settled life.

40. Who established Vikramshila University?

Vikramashila University, one of the two most prominent Buddhist learning centers, was established during the rule of Pala dynasty king Dharmapala in the 8th century CE. Alongside Nalanda University, it gained renown as a center of Buddhist philosophy and scholarship in the Pala period.

41. What was the main occupation during Paleolithic age?

During the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age spanning from 2 million years ago till around 12,000 years ago, the main occupation of humans was hunting and gathering. People foraged for wild fruits, berries, nuts and tubers while hunting wild animals for meat and hides. They were nomadic with no permanent settlements.

42. What marked the beginning of Mesolithic age?

The Mesolithic Age beginning around 12000 years ago marked the transition period from the Paleolithic Era to Neolithic period, hence also called Middle Stone Age. It was marked by increasing adaptation of more diverse hunting-foraging techniques and invention of new tools like bows-arrows and use of microliths.

43. Which university was destroyed by forces of Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji?

The great Buddhist seat of learning, Vikramashila University, was ransacked and destroyed around 1193 CE by Turkic forces led by commander Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji. Its location in Bihar is marked today by remains of a small village called Antichak.

44. Where is the site Jorwe located?

Jorwe is the key archaeological site of the Chalcolithic Jorwe culture located near a village of the same name in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra close to the Godavari river basin. It first excavated in the 1950s.

45. What are the key features of Jorwe culture?

Some salient features that define the Chalcolithic Jorwe culture of 1600 BCE to 1000 BCE are: red ware pottery with paintings, domestication of animals, cultivation of crops, burial of dead with ornaments and tools, and growth of trade networks across villages.

46. Where is the site Mehrgarh located?

Mehrgarh, one of the most important Neolithic sites throwing light on early agriculture, is situated on the fertile Kachi plains near Bolan Pass which lies to the west of the Indus River valley in modern-day Balochistan province of Pakistan.

47. What made Mehrgarh an important archaeological site?

Mehrgarh exhibits continuous settlement traces spanning 8000 BCE to 2500 BCE from beginnings of farming through to Indus Valley Civilization making it a crucial site to study socio-cultural and economic transformations marking emergence of early village agricultural life in northwest Indian subcontinent.

48. What does the term Megalith mean?

The term megalith signifies large stone structures used as burial monuments in prehistoric cultures. Megalithic culture sites contain remains of such graves made from huge, undressed stones arranged in different formations like cists, cairns, dolmens etc. to inter the dead.

49. What were Microliths used for in Mesolithic age?

In Mesolithic period, miniature finely worked stone implements called microliths were hafted on arrow shafts, sickles etc transforming them into composite tools for farming, hunting and other activities. Their use increased the functionality and efficiency of tools.

50. Which metal’s use marked the Chalcolithic age?

The Chalcolithic age spanning 3000 BCE – 1200 BCE saw, for the first time, the use of metals with copper being the principal one to make tools and weapons marking the end of exclusive stone tool use. This new Copper/Stone age signified important socioeconomic changes.


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