Ancient Civilizations of Rajasthan with special reference to Mesolithic (Late Stone Age) sites in Rajasthan. Ancient Civilizations of Rajasthan: Rajasthan, also known as the Land of Kings, has a rich and diverse cultural heritage dating back to prehistoric times.
The state has been home to a number of ancient civilizations, each of which has left its mark on the region’s history and culture.
Read more: Pre-historical sites of Rajasthan | राजस्थान के प्रागैतिहासिक स्थल
Ancient Civilizations of Rajasthan
Ancient Civilizations of Rajasthan are:-
- Kalibangan Civilizations
- Bhinmal Civilizations
- Gilund Civilizations
- Ganeshwar Civilizations
- Ishwal Civilizations
- Bairath Civilizations
- Balathal Civilizations
- Aahar River Civilizations
- Bagore Civilizations
- Rangmahal Civilizations
- Ojiyana Civilizations
- Nagari Civilizations
- Tilwara Civilizations
- Barore Civilizations
Read more: General Studies of Rajasthan MCQs | Rajasthan GK Objective Question Bank for RPSC Exams
Mesolithic (Late Stone Age) Sites in Rajasthan
The Mesolithic period in Rajasthan lasted from around 10,000 to 5,000 BCE. During this time, people lived in small hunter-gatherer bands and used microliths, or small stone tools, for hunting and gathering food. Some of the most important Mesolithic sites in Rajasthan include:
Bagor: Located in the Bhilwara district, Bagor is one of the largest Mesolithic sites in India. Excavations at the site have revealed evidence of human habitation dating back to around 7,000 BCE. Bagor (Rajasthan) on the river Kothari is the largest Mesolithic site in India and has been horizontally excavated. Bagor has three cultural phases.
Tilwara: Located in the Barmer district, Tilwara is another important Mesolithic site. Excavations at the site have revealed evidence of a number of Mesolithic settlements, as well as a large number of microliths.
Pachpadra basin: The Pachpadra basin is home to a number of Mesolithic sites, including Akhaj, Balsamand, and Gilund. These sites have yielded a rich variety of artifacts, including microliths, bone tools, and pottery.
Luni basin: The Luni basin is home to a number of Mesolithic sites, including Didwana, Nagaur, and Jodhpur. These sites have yielded a rich variety of artifacts, including microliths, bone tools, and pottery. The sites are thought to have been occupied between 8,000 and 4,000 BCE.
Nimbahera. It is a late Mesolithic site located in Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan state. Archaeologists have found evidences of microlith industries and a temporary workshop at the site. In a recent discovery rock paintings are found in the shelters near the dhareshwar falls, Nimbahera.
Read more: Rajasthan Monthly Current Affairs 2023-2024 PDF Download in English and Hindi
Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) in Rajasthan
The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) flourished in northwestern India and Pakistan from around 3300 to 1300 BCE. The IVC was one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world, and its influence can be seen in a number of archaeological sites in Rajasthan. Some of the most important IVC sites in Rajasthan include:
- Kalibangan: Located in the Hanumangarh district, Kalibangan is one of the most important IVC sites in Rajasthan. The site was excavated in the 1960s and has revealed evidence of a well-planned city with a grid layout.
- Baror: Located in the Jodhpur district, Baror is another important IVC site. The site has yielded a rich variety of artifacts, including pottery, seals, and beads.
- Karanpura: Located in the Bikaner district, Karanpura is a smaller IVC site that has yielded evidence of a fortified settlement.
Iron Age in Rajasthan
The Iron Age in Rajasthan began around 1500 BCE and lasted until around the 3rd century BCE. During this time, people began to use iron for tools and weapons. Iron Age sites in Rajasthan include:
- Bairat: Located in the Jaipur district, Bairat is an important Iron Age site that has yielded evidence of a large settlement with a number of fortifications.
- Noh: Located in the Bharatpur district, Noh is another important Iron Age site that has yielded evidence of a well-planned city.
The Mandia ancient civilization is a recently discovered Chalcolithic culture that flourished in the Mewar region of Rajasthan, India, between the 3rd and 2nd millennia BCE. The civilization is named after the type site of Mandia, located in the Bhilwara district.
Excavations at Mandia have revealed the remains of a well-developed settlement with mudbrick houses, pottery, and metal tools. The pottery is characterized by its black and red ware, with geometric and animal motifs. The metal tools include copper axes, chisels, and bangles.
The Mandia civilization is thought to have been a major center for the production of copper and other metals. The civilization also had extensive trade links with other parts of India, as evidenced by the presence of beads and other artifacts from distant regions.
Mesolithic Sites in Rajasthan: Practice MCQs
Q. Which of the following is NOT a Mesolithic (Late Stone Age) Sites in Rajasthan?
(1) Bagor
(2) Tilwara
(3) Kalibangan
(4) Gilund
Answer: 3
Q. The Mesolithic (Late Stone Age) period in Rajasthan lasted from around?
(1) 10,000 to 5,000 BCE
(2) 7,000 to 3,000 BCE
(3) 3,000 to 1,500 BCE
(4) 1,500 to 500 BCE
Answer: 1
Q. Which of the following is a characteristic of Mesolithic cultures?
(1) Construction of large settlements
(2) Development of agriculture
(3) Use of microliths
(4) Use of metal tools
Answer: 3
Two important characteristics of the Mesolithic period are as follows: Large scale domestication of plants and animals.
- Prominent increase in materialistic culture.
- The Mesolithic age shows the characteristics of both pastoral and horticultural societies.
- The people of the Mesolithic age relied on semi-permanent settlements in the form of caves and huts.
- The weather of this era started to become warmer than the Palaeolithic age.
Q. The Mesolithic inhabitants of Rajasthan were:
(1) Farmers
(2) Pastoralists
(3) Hunter-gatherers
(4) Urban dwellers
Answer: 3
The Mesolithic inhabitant community of the sites in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh were essentially hunters, food-gatherers, and fishermen.
Q. Which of the following is a significant find from a Mesolithic site in Rajasthan?
(1) A ploughed field
(2) A microlith workshop
(3) A fire altar
(4) A terracotta figurine
Answers: 2
Mesolithic site in Rajasthan located in Rajasthan, Bagor Village is an important Mesolithic site known for its well-preserved archaeological remains. Excavations at Bagor have unearthed a variety of artifacts, including stone tools, pottery, and animal remains.
- A microlith is a small stone tool usually made of flint or chert and typically a centimeter or so in length and half a centimeter wide.
- A microlith is a small stone tool usually made of flint or chert and typically a centimetre or so in length and half a centimetre wide.
- They were made by humans from around 35,000 to 3,000 years ago, across Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. The microliths were used in spear points and arrowheads.
- Join our Official Telegram Channel HERE for Motivation and Fast Updates
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel HERE to watch Motivational and Exam analysis videos