Prehistoric Cultures MCQ Online Practice Test: Ancient Indian History - Exam Scorer

Ancient Indian History: Prehistoric Cultures MCQ Online Test

Q1. The ancient archaeological site, Kalibangan, is located in:

Correct Answer: Rajasthan

Detailed Explanation: Kalibangan is located on the bank of the dry bed of the Ghaggar (Saraswati) river in the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan, India. It was discovered by A. Ghosh in 1952 and later excavated by B.B. Lal and B.K. Thapar.

Extra Info for Competitive Exams:

• Literary Meaning: 'Kalibangan' literally means "Black Bangles".
• Key Discoveries: Earliest ploughed agricultural field, wooden furrow marks, fire altars (Yajna Kundas), camel bones, and cylindrical seals.
• Unique Feature: Unlike major Indus cities, it lacked a systematic grid drainage system in its early phase.

Q2. The first human fossil in India was recovered from:

Correct Answer: Narmada Valley

Detailed Explanation: The first human fossil (a partial skull cap) in India was discovered at Hathnora in the Narmada Valley (Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh) on December 5, 1982, by geologist Arun Sonakia.

Extra Info for Competitive Exams:

• Classification: The fossil is popularly referred to as "Narmada Man" (or Narmada Human) and is classified as Homo erectus or archaic Homo sapiens.
• Geological Period: Belongs to the Middle Pleistocene era (around 250,000 to 500,000 years old).

Q3. The oldest culture of India is:

Correct Answer: Paleolithic Culture

Detailed Explanation: The Paleolithic Culture (Old Stone Age) is the oldest prehistoric culture in India, spanning from roughly 2 million years ago to 10,000 BCE. Humans during this era were nomadic hunters and food gatherers.

Extra Info for Competitive Exams:

• 3 Sub-divisions: Lower Paleolithic (cleavers, handaxes), Middle Paleolithic (flakes), and Upper Paleolithic (blades and burins).
• Main Tool Material: Quartzite, leading early paleolithic humans to be termed "Quartzite Men".

Q4. The world-famous rock art site in India is situated at:

Correct Answer: Bhimbetka

Detailed Explanation: Bhimbetka rock shelters are situated in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. It contains prehistoric cave paintings dating from the Upper Paleolithic through Mesolithic to historic periods.

Extra Info for Competitive Exams:

• Discovery: Discovered by Dr. Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar in 1957-58.
• Recognition: Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.
• Theme: Depicts hunting, dancing, animal riding, and communal life using natural red and white pigments.

Q5. The earliest evidence of the manufacture of beads is obtained from:

Correct Answer: Patne

Detailed Explanation: Patne in Maharashtra is an Upper Paleolithic site where engraved ostrich eggshell beads were excavated, providing the earliest direct evidence of bead manufacturing and artistic ornament creation in India.

Extra Info for Competitive Exams:

• Excavator: Excavated by S.A. Sali.
• Significance: Confirmed the presence of ostriches in India during the Upper Paleolithic phase (approx. 25,000 to 40,000 years ago).

Q6. The oldest remains of which culture have been found at the Chirand archaeological site?

Correct Answer: Neolithic Culture

Detailed Explanation: Chirand, located in the Saran district of Bihar near the confluence of the Ganga and Ghaggar rivers, is famous for its Neolithic settlement layers.

Extra Info for Competitive Exams:

• Unique Artifacts: Known for an extraordinary abundance of bone tools, specifically made from antler horns.
• Habitation: Evidence of circular mud-huddle dwellings and rice, wheat, and barley cultivation.

Q7. The period in which agriculture emerged is called:

Correct Answer: Neolithic Period

Detailed Explanation: The Neolithic Period (New Stone Age) is famously referred to as the "Neolithic Revolution" (coined by V. Gordon Childe) because it marked the transition from food gathering/hunting to food production (agriculture) and settled life.

Extra Info for Competitive Exams:

• Key Characteristics: Invention of pottery, polished stone tools, permanent mud houses, and crop cultivation (barley, wheat, rice).

Q8. Damdama archaeological site is situated in:

Correct Answer: Uttar Pradesh

Detailed Explanation: Damdama is a major Mesolithic site located in the Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, along with nearby sites like Sarai Nahar Rai and Mahadaha.

Extra Info for Competitive Exams:

• Key Finds: 41 human graves discovered here.
• Unique Feature: A single grave containing 3 human skeletons buried together.

Q9. The earliest evidence of animal husbandry and agriculture in India has been obtained from:

Correct Answer: Mehrgarh

Detailed Explanation: Mehrgarh (located in the Kachi plain of Balochistan, Pakistan, near the Bolan Pass) provides the earliest recorded evidence of agriculture (wheat/barley) and cattle domestication in the Indian subcontinent, dating back to c. 7000 BCE.

Q10. The Chalcolithic age is also known as:

Correct Answer: Copper Age

Detailed Explanation: The Chalcolithic Age is derived from Greek words 'khalkos' (copper) and 'lithos' (stone). It is called the Copper-Stone Age because humans used both copper metal tools alongside micro-stone tools.

Q11. Copper was used for the first time during the:

Correct Answer: Chalcolithic Age

Detailed Explanation: Copper was the first metal ever used by human beings, marking the end of the pure Stone Age and initiating the Chalcolithic transition.

Q12. When were the caves of Bhimbetka discovered?

Correct Answer: 1957-58

Detailed Explanation: Bhimbetka caves were accidentally discovered in 1957-58 by eminent Indian archaeologist Dr. Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar while traveling by train towards Bhopal.

Q13. The rock shelters of Bhimbetka are famous for:

Correct Answer: Earliest traces of human life on the Indian subcontinent

Detailed Explanation: Bhimbetka shelters showcase continuous human habitation evidence spanning across Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and early historic periods, featuring world-renowned rock art.

Q14. Stone Age rock paintings in India are found at:

Correct Answer: Bhimbetka

Detailed Explanation: Over 700 rock shelters exist in Bhimbetka, of which around 400 feature ancient wall and ceiling paintings depicting wild animals, hunting rituals, and dance forms.

Q15. The correct chronological order of prehistoric periods of human activities and civilization is:

Correct Answer: Paleolithic Age → Mesolithic Age → Neolithic Age

Detailed Explanation: Human prehistory progresses in chronological order: 1. Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) → 2. Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) → 3. Neolithic (New Stone Age).

Q16. Chronological order of Mesolithic sites from West to East is:

Correct Answer: Mahadaha → Lekhahia → Paisra → Birbhanpur

Detailed Explanation: Geographic location from West to East: 1. Mahadaha (Pratapgarh, UP) → 2. Lekhahia (Mirzapur, UP) → 3. Paisra (Munger, Bihar) → 4. Birbhanpur (West Bengal).

Q17. The site from where the earliest evidence of settled life has been found:

Correct Answer: Mehrgarh

Detailed Explanation: Mehrgarh (Balochistan) contains early Neolithic archaeological layers dating to around 7000 BCE showing mud-brick house settlements and farming.

Q18. The earliest evidence of rice cultivation in the Ganga Valley has been found at:

Correct Answer: Lahuradeva

Detailed Explanation: Discoveries at Lahuradeva (Sant Kabir Nagar district, UP) yielded cultivated rice grains dated between 9000 BCE and 7000 BCE.

Q19. Evidence of animal husbandry from a Mesolithic site is available from:

Correct Answer: Bagor

Detailed Explanation: Bagor (Bhilwara district, Rajasthan) on the Kothari river is the largest Mesolithic site in India, proving early animal domestication (c. 5000 BCE).

Q20. In the Mesolithic period, evidence of animal husbandry is found at:

Correct Answer: Lekhania

Detailed Explanation: Lekhania (Mirzapur, UP) along with Bagor and Adamgarh provided animal bone assemblages showing domestication practices in the Mesolithic context.

Q21. In the Mesolithic context, evidence of animal husbandry has been found at:

Correct Answer: Adamgarh

Detailed Explanation: Adamgarh (Hoshangabad district, MP) provides prime archaeological evidence for early animal domestication during the Mesolithic phase.

Q22. According to excavated evidence, animal husbandry started in:

Correct Answer: Mesolithic Period

Detailed Explanation: Animal domestication initiated during the late Mesolithic period, whereas plant agriculture became dominant later in the Neolithic Age.

Q23. A pottery-less (Aceramic) Neolithic level has come to light from:

Correct Answer: Gufkral

Detailed Explanation: Gufkral (Pulwama district, J&K) reveals an initial Phase I Neolithic occupation that was completely non-pottery (Aceramic Neolithic).

Q24. Cultivation of food grains first started in:

Correct Answer: Neolithic Age

Detailed Explanation: Systemic food grain agriculture emerged in the Neolithic Age, transforming human society from food gatherers to producers.

Q25. Evidence of pit-dwellings of the Neolithic period was found at:

Correct Answer: Both Burzahom and Gufkral

Detailed Explanation: Underground circular pit-dwelling is a hallmark feature of North-West Himalayan Neolithic sites, prominently excavated at both Burzahom and Gufkral in Kashmir.

Q26. The ash mound is associated with the Neolithic site of:

Correct Answer: Sangan Kallu

Detailed Explanation: Ash mounds formed by burning cow-dung in cattle pens are characteristic of South Indian Neolithic pastoral sites like Sangan Kallu, Budihal, and Piklihal.

Q27. The earliest evidence of rice cultivation in the Indian subcontinent is obtained from:

Correct Answer: Vindhya Region

Detailed Explanation: Belan valley along the Vindhya region (UP) contains key sites like Koldihwa, Mahagara, and Lahuradeva with early rice evidence.

Q28. The first cereal used by humans was:

Correct Answer: Barley

Detailed Explanation: Barley (Hordeum vulgare) was the first cereal crop cultivated by humans around 8000 BCE, closely followed by wheat.

Q29. Cultivation of cotton for clothing was first started in:

Correct Answer: India

Detailed Explanation: India was the pioneer in cotton cultivation and textile weaving. Early traces date back to Mehrgarh (c. 5000 BCE) and Mohenjo-daro.

Q30. Megalithic monuments have been identified as:

Correct Answer: Burial sites for the dead

Detailed Explanation: Megaliths are huge stone structures erected as burial graves or commemorative monuments for deceased individuals, concentrated in South India.

Q31. Three human skeletons have emerged from a single grave at:

Correct Answer: Damdama

Detailed Explanation: At Damdama (UP), 41 human graves were excavated. Grave No. 35 yielded a triple burial containing three human skeletons interred together.

Q32. The rock shelter of the Vindhya region from where the maximum number of human skeletons have been found is:

Correct Answer: Lekhahia

Detailed Explanation: Excavations by J.N. Pandey at Lekhahia rock shelter (Mirzapur, UP) revealed 17 human skeletons in Mesolithic deposits.

Q33. The rock shelter in India from where the maximum number of paintings have been found:

Correct Answer: Bhimbetka

Detailed Explanation: Bhimbetka holds over 500 painted rock shelters showcasing pre-historic human art, hunting scenes, and rituals.

Q34. The Chalcolithic site Navdatoli is located in:

Correct Answer: Madhya Pradesh

Detailed Explanation: Navdatoli is an important Malwa Culture Chalcolithic site located on the banks of the Narmada river in Khargone district, MP.

Q35. The Ochre Coloured Pottery (O.C.P.) was named at:

Correct Answer: Hastinapur

Detailed Explanation: Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP) culture was first discovered and named by B.B. Lal in 1951 during excavations at Hastinapur (UP).

Q36. The site in India where the earliest evidence of the use of iron metal has been found through excavation:

Correct Answer: Atranjikhera

Detailed Explanation: Atranjikhera (Etah district, UP) revealed iron slag and iron agricultural implements dated to c. 1000 BCE.

Q37. During the Chalcolithic period, the people of Maharashtra used to bury the bodies of the dead under the floor of their houses in the direction of:

Correct Answer: North to South

Detailed Explanation: In the Jorwe culture of Maharashtra (Inamgaon, Daimabad), burials were made inside house floors with head facing North and feet towards South.

Q38. The tripartite division of Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages from the collection of the Copenhagen Museum was done by:

Correct Answer: Christian Jürgensen Thomsen

Detailed Explanation: C.J. Thomsen, Danish archaeologist, classified human technological history into the Three-Age System (Stone, Bronze, Iron) in 1836.

Q39. Robert Bruce Foote, who discovered the first Paleolithic tool in India, was a:

Correct Answer: Both Geologist and Archaeologist

Detailed Explanation: Robert Bruce Foote discovered India's first Paleolithic tool (a quartzite handaxe) at Pallavaram near Chennai in May 1863, earning him the title "Father of Indian Prehistory".

Q40. The excavation of the Chalcolithic site Navdatoli was conducted by:

Correct Answer: H.D. Sankalia

Detailed Explanation: Navdatoli was excavated by Professor H.D. Sankalia of Deccan College, Pune, revealing diverse crop grains.

Q41. The caves of Bhimbetka are famous for:

Correct Answer: Rock Paintings

Detailed Explanation: Famous for prehistoric cave wall art made of natural mineral pigments depicting hunting and dance forms.

Q42. The archaeological site named Damdama is related to:

Correct Answer: Mesolithic Period

Detailed Explanation: Damdama (Pratapgarh, UP) represents a classic Mesolithic culture settlement yielding microliths and human burials.

Q43. Bhimbetka, a famous site of the Paleolithic period, is located in the Indian state of:

Correct Answer: Madhya Pradesh

Detailed Explanation: Situated in Raisen district, approximately 45 km south of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

Q44. In the chronology of ancient Indian history, pottery was traced back to the:

Correct Answer: Neolithic Age

Detailed Explanation: Widespread use of hand-made and wheel-made pottery emerged during the Neolithic Age due to agricultural surplus storage.

Q45. The prehistoric site providing archaeological evidence of cattle rearing in the form of hoof-marks on clay surfaces is:

Correct Answer: Mahagara

Detailed Explanation: Mahagara (Prayagraj, UP) revealed a Neolithic cattle pen structure preserved with fossilized hoof impressions on clay soil floor.

Q46. Microliths used by early humans were:

Correct Answer: Small Stone Tools

Detailed Explanation: Microliths are miniature stone tools (1 cm to 5 cm) defining the tool technology of the Mesolithic Age.

Q47. A Paleolithic site of archaeological importance in India is:

Correct Answer: Hunasagi

Detailed Explanation: Hunasagi (Yadgir district, Karnataka) is a famous Lower Paleolithic site where early humans manufactured stone tools out of limestone.

Q48. A celt is a .......... tool.

Correct Answer: Neolithic

Detailed Explanation: A 'celt' is a polished stone axe or chisel blade characteristic of the Neolithic period.

Q49. The first age of the prehistoric period is called:

Correct Answer: Paleolithic Age

Detailed Explanation: Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age) constitutes over 99% of human history on earth.

Q50. Evidence of pit-dwellings at an archaeological site is found at:

Correct Answer: Burzahom

Detailed Explanation: Burzahom (Srinagar district, J&K) is world famous for underground circular pit-dwellings and dog burials with humans.

Q51. Mehrgarh, a Neolithic settlement, is located in the ...... province of Pakistan.

Correct Answer: Balochistan

Detailed Explanation: Mehrgarh lies on the Kachi plain of Balochistan near the Bolan Pass.

Q52. The archaeological site Inamgaon is located in:

Correct Answer: Maharashtra

Detailed Explanation: Inamgaon is a major Chalcolithic farming village site along the Ghod River in Pune district, Maharashtra.

Q53. The archaeological site Koldihwa is located in:

Correct Answer: Uttar Pradesh

Detailed Explanation: Koldihwa is located in Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh in the Belan River valley.

Q54. The skull of 'Homo erectus' man was found at the prehistoric Indian site of:

Correct Answer: Hathnora

Detailed Explanation: The Hathnora skull cap discovered in 1982 in the Narmada river valley (MP) represents the oldest hominin fossil discovered in India.

Q55. Archaeological site 'Nevasa' is located in which present state?

Correct Answer: Maharashtra

Detailed Explanation: Nevasa is located on the Pravara River in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra (Middle Paleolithic culture site).

Q56. Archaeological site 'Isampur' is located in which present state?

Correct Answer: Karnataka

Detailed Explanation: Isampur in Yadgir district, Karnataka, is a major Lower Paleolithic stone tool quarry site.

Q57. Archaeological site 'Didwana' is located in which present state?

Correct Answer: Rajasthan

Detailed Explanation: Didwana in Nagaur district, Rajasthan, is a classic Lower to Middle Paleolithic site in the Thar Desert.

Q58. Archaeological site 'Gudiyam Cave' is located in which present state?

Correct Answer: Tamil Nadu

Detailed Explanation: Gudiyam Cave is situated near Poondi in Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu (discovered by Robert Bruce Foote).

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