Stone Age Questions | Ancient History of India MCQs: Ancient Indian History Most Important MCQs, Quiz, Practice Question Answer For UPSC CSE, State PSC And All Other Competitive Exams Preparation.
Multiple Choice Quiz Questions (MCQs) on Ancient Indian History for General Studies and GK preparation of SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC and State PSC Exams.
The Ancient history of India is an crucial topic for the Civil Services Examination. It is also an interesting topic while being a vast topic as well. The notes and topics in this article will help in candidate in cruising through the Ancient History of India segment with relative ease.
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Ancient History comes under History Sections of General Studies. So, it is worth having a grip on the subject and to make preparation easy we have prepared this study material in which you will learn though NCERT about the Pre-Historic Period, Historic Period, Civilisations, Scripts, Cultures, Pre- Mauryan and Mauryan Age their religious developments, art & architecture, trade. At last, Gupta and Post Gupta Age its literary sources, administration, inscriptions, rulers etc.
Read more: 6-12th NCERT (Old + NEW) Notes – Ancient History of India
Read more: 6-12th NCERT (Old + NEW) MCQs – Ancient History of India
NCERT books are an essential part of UPSC and State PSC Civil services exams preparation. However, because of the comprehensive syllabus, IAS aspirants should also refer to NCERT notes with NCERT MCQs book and keep tabs on the current affairs of at least the past 12-15 months.
The important topics to study from Ancient Indian History are Prehistoric India, Historic India, Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic India, Mahajanapadas, Mauryan Period, Gupta and Post Gupta Period.
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Stone Age MCQs | Ancient History of India
1. Robert Bruce Foote, who discovered first Palaeolithic tool in India, was a/an?
(a) Geologist
(b) Archaeologist
(c) Paleobotanist
(d) Historian
Answer: (a & b)
According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, Robert Bruce Foote was a British geologist and archaeologist. He is considered as the father of Indian pre-history. He was associated with the Geological Survey and documented the antiquities of the Stone Age. Hence, both options (a) and (b) can be considered as correct.
2. The three-age system, divided into stone, bronze and iron from the collection of Copenhagen museum was coined by?
(a) Thomson
(b) Lubbock
(c) Taylor
(d) Childe
Answer: (a)
According to Commission Report Present archaeological system of the three main ages-stone, bronze and iron-was developed by the Danish archaeologist Christian Jorgensen Thomsen in 1818 and 1820. He classified Object of Museum in 1836
3. According to the excavated evidence, the domestication of animal began in?
(a) Lower Palaeolithic period
(b) Middle Palaeolithic period
(c) Upper Palaeolithic period
(d) Mesolithic period
Answer: (d)
According to the excavated evidence, the domestication of animals began in the Mesolithic period. The earliest pieces of evidence of domestication of animals in India have been found at Adamgarh (Hoshangabad, M.P.) and Bagor (Bhilwara, Rajasthan).
4. Which among the following sites provides evidence of domestication of animals in the Mesolithic period?
(a) Odai
(b) Bori
(c) Bagor
(d) Lakhnia
Answer: (c)
5. In Mesolithic context, evidence of animal domestication has been found at?
(a) Langhnaj
(b) Birbhanpur
(c) Adamgarh
(d) Chopani Mando
Answer: (c)
6. From which one of the following sites bone implements have been found?
(a) Chopani-Mando
(b) Kakoria
(c) Mahadaha
(d) Sarai Nahar Rai
Answer: (c & d)
A large number of implements made of bones and horns have been found from the Mesolithic site, Mahadaha and Sarai Nahar Rai (located in Pratapgarh district of U.P.). The book entitled ‘Puratattva Vimarsh ‘ written by Dr. Jai Narayan Pandey describes various pointed objects and ornaments made of bones which have been reported from Sarai Nahar Rai, Damdama and Mahadaha.
7. Bone ornaments in the Mesolithic context in India have been obtained from?
(a) Sarai Nahar Rai
(b) Mahadaha
(c) Lekhahia
(d) Chopani Mando
Ans. (a & b)
8. Three human skeletons in a single grave were recovered at?
(a) Sarai Nahar Rai
(b) Damdama
(c) Mahadaha
(d) Langhnaj
Ans. (b)
Damdama is a Mesolithic site in Pratapgarh district Uttar Pradesh. In Damdama, 41 human graves were found. Out of these graves, 5 are double burial. One triple burial grave is also found here. A grave with four human skeletons has been found at Sarai Nahar Rai.
9. The cultivation of cereals first started in?
(a) Neolithic Age
(b) Mesolithic Age
(c) Palaeolithic Age
(d) Proto-Historic Age
Ans. (a)
Grains were first ever produced in Neolithic Age. It was the time when people were introduced to agriculture. Koldihwa and Mehrgarh were the two Neolithic villages from where clear pieces of evidence of rice and wheat have been found.
10. During the Neolithic Age the earliest evidence of the origin of agriculture has been found at which of the following place in the North-Western region of Indian sub-continent?
(a) Munidgak
(b) Mehargarh
(c) Damb Sadat
(d) Balakot
Answer: (b)
11. The earliest evidence of man in India is found in?
(a) Nilgiri Hills
(b) Shiwalik Hills
(c) Nallamala Hills
(d) Narmada Valley
Answer: (d)
In India, the first evidence of man was found in western Narmada region of Madhya Pradesh. It was discovered in 1982.
12. The first cereal used by man was?
(a) Wheat
(b) Rice
(c) Barley
(d) Sorghum
Answer: (c)
There are mainly eight types of food grains consumed by modern human society, namely barley, wheat, maize, millet, sorghum, mustard, oat and rice. These plants were present in the form of weed in different areas, which were later grown as seed by a human being at different places, in different times.
Although, barley was the first grain to be cultivated by human beings during 8000 B.C. in western Asian countries located between the northeast Mediterranean Sea and Iran. Later, in the same area, wheat was also cultivated around 8000 B.C.
Rice was the third grain to be cultivated by human beings in approx 7000 B.C. at the Yangtze River of China. Maize was cultivated in Central and South America during 6000 B.C.
The first evidence of maize was found in Mexico, millet in 5500 B.C. in China, sorghum in 5000 B.C. in East Africa, mustard in 5000 B.C. in South-East Asia and Oat in 2300 B.C. in Europe.
13. The earliest evidence of agriculture in Indian subcontinent comes from?
(a) Koldihwa
(b) Lahuradeva
(c) Mehrgarh
(d) Tokwa
Ans. (b)
According to the latest research, the earliest evidence of agriculture in Indian sub-continent has been reported from the Lahuradeva site in Sant Kabir Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh. The evidence of human activity and beginning of rice cultivation at this site dates back to around 7000-9000 B.C. Significantly before this research, the earlier evidence of wheat was found at Mehrgarh (located in Baluchistan, Pakistan) belonging to around 7000 B.C. and the earliest evidence of rice is known to be near the bank of the river Belan, district Allahabad, from where rice bran was found dating back to 6500 B.C. With above reference, if Lahuradeva is one option, then it will be the correct answer, but if Lahuradeva is not an option, then Mehrgarh would be the right answer.
14. With reference to the cultural heritage of Uttar Pradesh, which of the following statement/s is/are correct?
(1) The oldest evidence of agriculture in the global context has been obtained from many excavated sites in this region.
(2) The oldest cultivated food grains are barley and paddy.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below –
Code:
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
From Lahuradeva in Sant Kabir Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh, oldest evidence of agriculture has been obtained. The oldest food grains were barley and wheat. Hence option (a) is correct.
15. Name the site which has revealed the earliest evidence of settled life?
(a) Dholavira
(b) Kile Gul Mohammad
(c) Kalibangan
(d) Mehrgarh
Ans. (d)
16. The earliest evidence of agriculture in the Indian Subcontinent has been obtained from?
(a) Brahmagiri
(b) Burzahom
(c) Koldihwa
(d) Mehrgarh
Answer: (d)
17. The earliest evidence of Agriculture in Indian subcontinent is found at?
(a) Lothal
(b) Harappa
(c) Mehrgarh
(d) Munidgak
Answer: (c)
18. Which one of the following periods is also known as Chalcolithic Age?
(a) Old Stone Age
(b) New Stone Age
(c) Copper Age
(d) Iron Age
Ans. (c)
Copper Age is also known as the Chalcolithic age. The age in which instruments of copper were used in addition to stone, is called as Copper Age.
19. The cultural remains from Stone Age to Harappan Civilization have been obtained from which one of the following ancient sites?
(a) Amri
(b) Mehrgarh
(c) Kotdiji
(d) Kalibangan
Answer: (b)
The cultural remains from Stone Age to Harappan Civilization have been obtained from Mehrgarh located in Balochistan (Pakistan).
20. Excavation at Navadatoli was conducted by?
(a) K.D.Bajpai
(b) V.S. Wakankar
(C) H.D. Sankalia
(d) Mortimer Wheeler
Ans. (c)
Navadatoli has revealed excellent evidence of both round and rectangular residential structures which are located near Indore (Madhya Pradesh). The former measures about 3m in diameter and the latter 2m × 2.2m. The roofs were probably made of hay, branches and leaves and were supported on massive wooden posts, 22cm in diameter, raised at regular intervals around the huts.
The open spaces between the posts were provided with mud-plastered bamboo screens. The house floors were made up of silt clay and river gravel, with the surface coated with lime. The huts were provided with one or two-mouthed ‘chulhas’ as well as storage jars and other earthen vessels.
This site was excavated by Mr. H.D. Sankalia, Professor Deccan College Pune. This site was the most extensive excavated rural Chalcolithic site of Indian sub-continent, which is determined to be between 1600 B.C. and 1300 B.C.
21. In which state, the Navadatoli is located?
(a) Gujarat
(b) Maharashtra
(c) Chhattisgarh
(d) Madhya Pradesh
Ans. (d)
22. In which state of India is the Harappan Civilization site Mandi situated?
(a) Gujarat
(b) Haryana
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Uttar Pradesh
Ans (d)
Mandi is located to the east of the Yamuna River, in Muzaffar nagar district, western Uttar Pradesh and this area has been considered peripheral to the main distribution area of the Harappan Civilization.
A hoard of jewellery at Mandi was discovered during an excavation carried out by D.V. Sharma (1999-2000).
23. Consider the following statements pertaining to the Ahar Civilization?
A. The natives of Ahar knew copper smelting
B. Rice was unknown to them
C. Metal work was one of the means of economy of the Ahar
D. Black – Red coloured pottery have been found here, on which generally white coloured geometrical designs have been carved.
Choose the correct option:
(a) A, C and D are correct
(b) A and B are correct
(c) A, B and C are correct
(d) C and D are correct
Answer: (a)
Ahar civilization belonged to chalcolithic period and flourished around the Mewar region of Rajasthan. They used copper tools and evidence of copper smelting is present too.
Hence (A) and (C) statements are correct. Rice was known to them hence (B) is wrong. Mostly black-red coloured pottery decorated with white geometric design has been found here.
Hence (D) is also correct.
24. Megaliths have been identified as?
(a) Caves for hermits
(b) Burial sites
(c) Temple sites
(d) None of the above
Ans. (b)
The megaliths usually refer to the burials made up of large stones in graveyards away from the habitation area. A large fraction of these is assumed to be associated with burial or post-burial rituals including memorials for those whose remains may or may not be available. Few types of these are; Chamber tomb, Dolmens, Stone alignment, Stone circle (cromlech), Pit-circles, etc.
25. Ash mound is associated with the Neolithic site at?
(a) Budihal
(b) Sangana Kallu
(c) Koldihwa
(d) Brahmagiri
Answer: (b)
The ‘Ash mounds’ have been found from a Neolithic site Sangana Kallu located in Vellari district near Mysore in Karnataka. They have also been found in Piklihal and Utnur.
These ash mounds are the burnt relics of seasonal camps of Neolithic herdsmen community.
26. ‘Bhimbetka’ is famous for?
(a) Rock Paintings
(b) Buddhist Statues
(c) Minerals
(d) Origin of Son River
Answer: (a)
The rock shelters of Bhimbetka are located 45 km west of Bhopal. UNESCO has included the shell pictures of Bhimbetka in the list of its world heritage. These caves exhibit the earliest traces of human life on the Indian subcontinent and include the pictures of an elephant, sambhar, deer, etc.
There are 133 Picture in 700 Rock Shelters.
27. In India, from which rock-shelter, pictures has been found the most?
(a) Ghagharia
(b) Bhimbetka
(c) Lekhahia
(d) Adamgarh
Answer: (b)
28. Which one of the following places is famous for pre-historic paintings?
(a) Ajanta
(b) Bhimbetka
(c) Bagh
(d) Amravati
Answer: (b)
The best example of prehistoric paintings is the rock-shelters and caves of Bhimbetka, located in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. The rock shelters of Bhimbetka are in the foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains on the southern edge of the central Indian plateau. The rock-cut paintings of Ajanta and Bagh are related to post Mauryan period while Amravati, which is famous for its cairn architecture is considered to be built in Shunga’s period or Satavahanas period.
29. Where are the caves of Bhimbetka situated?
(a) Bhopal
(b) Pachmarhi
(c) Singrauli
(d) Abdullahganj-Raisen
Ans. (d)
30. Which of the following Indian Archaeologists first visited ‘Bhimbetka Caves’ and discovered prehistoric significance of its rock paintings?
(a) Madho Swaroop Vatsa
(b) H.D. Sankalia
(c) V.S. Wakankar
(d) V.N. Mishra
Ans. (c)
‘Bhimbetka Caves’ are located in Raisen District of MP. They are best example of Rock Painting of prehistoric era. It was discovered by V.S. Wakankar in 1957. It is a UNESCO world heritage site for its prominent prehistoric Rock Paintings.
31. Bhimbetka was discovered by?
(a) Dr. H.D. Sankhalia
(b) Dr. Shyam Sundar Nigam
(c) Dr. Vishnudhar Vakankar
(d) Dr. Rajbali Pandey
Answer: (c)
32. The Ochre-coloured Pottery (O.C.P.) was christened at?
(a) Hastinapur
(b) Ahichhatra
(c) Noh
(d) Red Fort
Answer: (a)
Discovery and Naming (Christen) of OCP was done by B.B. Lal in 1951 at Hastinapur. Ochre-Coloured Pottery (known to archaeologists as OCP) as the name implies, its main distinguishing feature was its ochre colour, which gives it a first appearance of being badly fi red. Other characteristics are its porous character and the fact that it is invariably worn out at the edges.
33. In the Chalcolithic period people of Maharashtra buried their dead under the floor of their houses in the following orientation:
(a) North to South position
(b) East to West position
(c) South to North position
(d) West to East position
Answer. (a)
The people of Jorwe culture lived in large rectangular houses with wattle and daub walls and thatched roof. They believed in life after death and therefore buried the dead inside the houses under the floor. Children were buried in two urns that were joined mouth-to-mouth and set horizontally in the pit, while adults were placed in a supine position with the head towards the north (north to south). These sites were found in Daimabad, Inamgaon, Chandauli, Nevasa, etc.
34. Which of the following sites has yielded skeleton of the dog along with human skeleton in burial?
(a) Brahmagiri
(b) Burzahom
(c) Chirand
(d) Maski
Answer. (b)
The Burzahom site is a prehistoric settlement in the village of the same name in Kashmir valley. Both human and animal skeletons were found here with trepanning (bored hole) marks.
In many pits, bones of dogs and antlered deer were found along with human skeletons. The skeletons of humans were found in the burial pits in a sitting position along with bones of animals.
The first excavation at the Burzahom site was carried out by Helmut de Terra and Dr Thomas Paterson in the year 1935.
35. The evidence of burying the dog with human body is found from which of the following places?
(a) Burzahom
(b) Koldihwa
(c) Chaupani
(d) Mando
Answer: (a)
36. The evidence of pit dwelling has been obtained from?
(a) Burzahom
(b) Koldihwa
(c) Brahmagiri
(d) Sangana Kallu
Answer: (a)
37. Where is National Human Museum situated?
(a) Guwahati
(b) Bastar
(c) Bhopal
(d) Chennai
Answer: (c)
National Human Museum, which was renamed as Indira Gandhi National Human Museum is located in Bhopal (M.P).
It is an autonomous organization under the Department of Culture.
38. From which rock shelter of Vindhyas, a maximum number of human skeletons have been found?
(a) Morahana Pahar
(b) Ghagharia
(c) Baghahi Khor
(d) Lekhahia
Ans. (d)
39. given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The Stone Age people of the Vindhyas migrated to the Ganga Valley in terminal Pleistocene period.
Reason (R): Due to climatic change, it was dry phase in this period.
Choose the correct answer from the code given below.
Code:
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) is false but (R) is true
Answer: (a)
Stone Age people of the Vindhyas migrated to the Ganga Valley in terminal Pleistocene period because of climatic change Vindhyan Valley had become dry.
40. Which of these departments/ministries deals with Archaeological Survey of India as an accessory office?
(a) Culture
(b) Tourism
(c) Science and Technology
(d) Human Resource and Development
Answer: (a)