1. Chandraketugarh Odisha Trading Port town
2. Inamgaon Maharashtra Chalcolithic site
3. Mangadu Kerala Megalithic site
4. Salihundam Andhra Pradesh Rock-cut cave shrines In which of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
Explanation
Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Chandraketugarh is not located in Odisha. It is actually an archaeological site in West Bengal, near Kolkata. It is known for its historical significance as an ancient trading hub and port town, dating back to the pre-Mauryan and Gupta periods. It is an urban centre of the ancient state of Gangaridai belonging to the trans-Bengal region at the interface of West Bengal and Bangladesh. The antiquity of the area dates back to eras as early as 4th century BCE, a period much prior to the Mauryan era and shows evidence in the continuity of subsequent Sunga, Kushana, Gupta, Pala and Sena dynasties.
Pair 2 is correctly matched: Inamgaon is a chalcolithic site in Maharashtra. After the disintegration of the Indus civilization, in a phase known as the Early Jorwe (1400-1000 BC), hundreds of agrarian villages flourished in the Deccan region of west-central India. Environmental degradation, combined with unsustainable agricultural practices, contributed to the abandonment of many communities around 1000 BC. Inamgaon was one of a handful of villages to persist into the Late Jorwe phase (1000-700 BC), wherein reliance on dry-plough agricultural production declined. The site provides evidence of early farming communities, pottery, and burial practices. It is considered a key site for understanding the Deccan Chalcolithic culture.
Pair 3 is correctly matched: Mangadu is a Megalithic Site in Kerala. The megalithic monuments at Mangadu consisted of 28 hard compact and unhewn laterite blocks within an area of 5 cents of land. The pottery at Mangadu can be classified into three categories namely the huge urns, the medium sized jars are hand made. The associated potteries are of wheel-made pottery and the fabric is black and red and red wares.
Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: Salihundam is a Buddhist Site in Andhra Pradesh as early as the 2nd century CE to the 12th century CE. Here, Buddhism flourished under the patronage of various dynasties, including the Satavahanas, Ikshvakus, and the Eastern Ganga dynasty. The archaeological excavations have revealed numerous stupas, chaityas, viharas and a congregation hall, indicating the importance of this site in the transmission of Buddhist knowledge and wisdom. Rock cut caves are not found in Salihundam.
For Row 4, Trust what you’ve read. If you haven’t read about something, chances are it doesn’t exist or isn’t significant. Heard of rock-cut caves in Maharashtra? Yes--Ajanta, Ellora. In Odisha? Yes--Udayagiri, Khandagiri. Even MP and Bihar have them. But Andhra? Never come across any major rock-cut caves from there. So, if UPSC calls Salihundam that, it’s probably wrong. Row 4 is more likely false. Thus eliminating options C and D. Row 1 was a recent PYQ, hence should have been well known, giving option B as correct.