Prehistoric India — Ancient Indian History

Q.1

WBCS Prelims 2022

Earliest fossil remains of archaic Homo sapiens has been found in

A. Narmada Valley

B. Godavari Basin

C. Kashmir Valley

D. Sivalik Hills

Explanation

Why Correct: In 1982, paleoanthropologist Arun Sonakia discovered the Narmada Human fossil (classified as Homo heidelbergensis or archaic Homo sapiens) at Hathnora in the Narmada Valley, Madhya Pradesh, dating to approximately 250,000-300,000 years ago.
Distractor Analysis: Godavari Basin contains important Neolithic and Chalcolithic archaeological sites but no archaic human fossils. Kashmir Valley has Neolithic sites like Burzahom but lacks archaic Homo sapiens remains. Sivalik Hills yield Miocene and Pliocene primate fossils such as Sivapithecus, not archaic human fossils.
Takeaway: The Narmada fossil represents the only substantial archaic human fossil discovery in the Indian subcontinent and provides evidence of human evolution in South Asia during the Middle Pleistocene.

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Q.2

WBCS Prelims 2022

Earliest evidence of settled agriculture in the subcontinent comes from

A. Mehrgarh

B. Harappa

C. Mohenjo-daro

D. Kalibangan

Explanation

Why Correct: Mehrgarh in Balochistan, Pakistan (7000-2500 BCE) provides the earliest evidence of settled agriculture in the Indian subcontinent, with domesticated wheat, barley, and cattle dating to 5500-4800 BCE.
Distractor Analysis: Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were major urban centers of the mature Indus Valley Civilization (2600-1900 BCE), which developed after the Neolithic agricultural phase. Kalibangan was another Indus Valley site in Rajasthan with evidence of ploughed fields but from a later period (Harappan phase).
Takeaway: Mehrgarh shows a continuous development from early farming communities to the Indus Valley Civilization, with evidence of mud-brick houses, granaries, and burial practices with grave goods.

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Q.3

WBCS Prelims 2020

Which among the following places has given the earliest evidence of agriculture in Indian Subcontinent?

A. Pratapgarh

B. Mehergarh

C. Quetta

D. Kalat

Explanation

Why Correct: Mehergarh in Balochistan, Pakistan, provides the earliest evidence of agriculture in the Indian Subcontinent, dating to around 7000 BCE, with remains of domesticated wheat and barley.
Distractor Analysis: Pratapgarh in Rajasthan is known for later Chalcolithic sites like Ahar. Quetta in Pakistan is associated with the Quetta Valley Neolithic but not the earliest agriculture. Kalat in Balochistan is a district containing Mehergarh but not the specific site name.
Takeaway: Mehergarh is also significant for early evidence of pottery, animal domestication, and mud-brick architecture, marking the transition from hunting-gathering to settled agriculture.

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Q.4

WBCS Prelims 2019

Which among the following places have given the earliest evidence of agriculture in Indian sub-continent ?

A. Pratapgarh

B. Mehrgarh

C. Quetta

D. Kalat

Explanation

Why Correct: Mehrgarh in present-day Balochistan, Pakistan, provides the earliest archaeological evidence of agriculture in the Indian subcontinent, dating back to around 7000 BCE with remains of domesticated wheat and barley.
Distractor Analysis: Pratapgarh is a district in Uttar Pradesh with archaeological sites but not the earliest agricultural evidence. Quetta is a city in Pakistan near Mehrgarh but not the specific site of the earliest findings. Kalat is another region in Balochistan but lacks the specific early agricultural evidence found at Mehrgarh.
Takeaway: Mehrgarh also shows early evidence of animal domestication (cattle, sheep, goats) and is considered a precursor to the Indus Valley Civilization.

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Q.5

WBCS Prelims 2016

Who is considered as the father of Indian Archaeology ?

A. Alexander Cunningham

B. Gordon Child

C. Mortimer Wheeler

D. John Marshall

Explanation

Why Correct: Alexander Cunningham founded the Archaeological Survey of India in 1861 and conducted systematic excavations at sites like Sarnath, Sanchi, and Taxila, establishing modern archaeological methods in India.
Distractor Analysis: Gordon Child was an Australian archaeologist known for urban revolution theories. Mortimer Wheeler directed excavations at Harappa and Mohenjo-daro in the 1940s. John Marshall served as Director-General of ASI from 1902-1928 and oversaw major Indus Valley discoveries.
Takeaway: The ASI was established in 1861 during Lord Canning's viceroyalty, with Cunningham as its first Director-General.

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Q.6

WBCS Prelims 2011

The first metal discovered by man was

A. Iron

B. Aluminium

C. Zinc

D. Copper

Explanation

Why Correct: Copper was the first metal discovered and used by humans around 8700 B.C. in northern Iraq, marking the beginning of the Chalcolithic Age.
Distractor Analysis: Iron emerged much later during the Iron Age (around 1200 B.C.). Aluminium was isolated only in the 19th century through modern electrolysis. Zinc was used as an alloy with copper to make brass, but not discovered as a pure metal until much later.
Takeaway: The sequence of metal discovery is Copper → Bronze (copper-tin alloy) → Iron → Aluminium.

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