119 RAS Prelims MCQs on prehistoric Rajasthan cover the period before written records, from the Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age. The questions ask which site belongs to which phase, which excavator worked where and which tools mark each culture. Didwana, Bagor, Ahar and Ganeshwar come up repeatedly, so learn each site with its district, river and phase.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 91–100 of 119 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Prehistoric Rajasthan
Q91. Consider the following statements regarding the Pre-Harappan phase at Kalibangan: I. The settlement was fortified with mud-brick walls. II. Houses were constructed primarily using standardized baked bricks. III. There is clear stratigraphic evidence of a catastrophic earthquake ending this phase. IV. The ploughed field features a grid of furrows indicating mixed cropping. V. The pottery of this phase is distinctly different from the Mature Harappan pottery. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Pre-Harappan phase at Kalibangan was characterized by a fortified settlement and a unique ploughed field showing mixed cropping. The pottery was distinctly different from the later Mature phase. Crucially, evidence of a catastrophic earthquake was discovered, which appears to have brought this phase to an end. Unlike the Mature period, houses in this earlier stage were primarily built using mud bricks.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Prehistoric Rajasthan
Q92. Which of the following artifacts was NOT found in the Pre-Harappan levels of Kalibangan?
Explanation
The Pre-Harappan levels at Kalibangan have yielded various artifacts, including copper axes, stone querns, and tiny steatite microbeads. However, the sophisticated steatite seals featuring unicorn motifs and Harappan script are absent from this early phase. These iconic seals are a hallmark of the Mature Harappan urban period and represent a later development in administrative and trade practices within the Indus Valley.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Prehistoric Rajasthan
Q93. The Pre-Harappan settlement at Kalibangan provides some of the earliest archaeological evidence for which natural disaster?
Explanation
Kalibangan is famous in the archaeological world for providing some of the earliest evidence of a natural disaster. Stratigraphic analysis of the Pre-Harappan levels reveals faulted layers and collapsed walls that are indicative of a major earthquake. This seismic event likely caused significant damage to the early settlement, leading to a temporary abandonment before the site was rebuilt during the Mature phase.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Prehistoric Rajasthan
Q94. Which pair of crops represents the odd one out, as it does NOT match the inferred mixed-cropping pattern discovered in the Pre-Harappan ploughed field at Kalibangan?
Explanation
The furrows in the Pre-Harappan ploughed field at Kalibangan suggest a system of mixed cropping. Archaeologists infer that crops like mustard and gram, or sesame and barley, were grown together in a grid pattern. Wheat and chickpeas were also likely cultivated. However, rice and sugarcane are odd ones out, as they require much higher water levels than typically available.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Prehistoric Rajasthan
Q95. Arrange the stratigraphic periods of Kalibangan in the correct chronological sequence: I. Mature Harappan Phase II. Pre-Harappan Phase III. Abandonment period due to tectonic activity/earthquake Select the correct order:
Explanation
The occupational history of Kalibangan begins with the Pre-Harappan phase, characterized by specific pottery and early agriculture. This phase ended abruptly, with evidence pointing toward a major earthquake or tectonic activity. After a period of abandonment or transition, the site was reoccupied during the Mature Harappan phase. This later period saw the development of a highly planned and fortified urban center.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Prehistoric Rajasthan
Q96. The town planning of the Mature Harappan phase at Kalibangan is characterized by:
Explanation
Kalibangan in the Mature Harappan phase was planned on a grid, with streets running roughly north-south and east-west. This is the classic Harappan town plan.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Prehistoric Rajasthan
Q97. A distinguishing religious or ritualistic feature found at Kalibangan, often absent in many other major Harappan sites, is the presence of:
Explanation
A unique ritualistic feature of Kalibangan is the presence of several fire altars, or Havan Kunds. These were discovered both in the citadel and in individual houses in the lower town. Built on prominent mud-brick platforms, these altars often contained ash, charcoal, and animal bones. This suggests that the people of Kalibangan practiced distinct religious rituals involving fire and ritualistic offerings.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Prehistoric Rajasthan
Q98. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the residential architecture at Kalibangan during the Mature Harappan phase.
Explanation
During the Mature Harappan phase at Kalibangan, residential architecture was highly standardized. Houses were built with mud bricks and typically featured a central courtyard. However, the claim that entrances were from the main arterial streets is incorrect. Following the general Harappan practice, house entrances were usually located in side lanes or alleys to ensure privacy and protection from the main streets.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Prehistoric Rajasthan
Q99. Consider the following statements about the drainage system at Kalibangan: I. It relied extensively on baked bricks for street drains, perfectly identical to Mohenjodaro. II. Hollowed-out wooden logs were used in some places as drains. III. Soakage jars were frequently buried in the streets to collect wastewater from houses. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The drainage system at Kalibangan was unique and somewhat different from other major sites. While it lacked extensive baked brick street drains, it utilized innovative methods such as hollowed-out wooden logs to channel water. Additionally, soakage jars or pits were frequently buried in the streets to collect wastewater from individual houses. These adaptations show how communities modified engineering based on local resources.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Prehistoric Rajasthan
Q100. Identify the correct pair regarding the artifacts and their significance at Kalibangan.
Explanation
The discovery of a cylindrical seal at Kalibangan is a significant find that points toward international trade. While most Harappan seals are square, the cylindrical form is characteristic of contemporary Mesopotamia. This artifact provides strong evidence that the inhabitants of Kalibangan were part of a vast trade network that connected the Indus Valley with the civilizations of the Near East during antiquity.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
91
(a) I, III, IV, and V only
92
(c) Mature Harappan steatite seals with various unicorn motifs
93
(d) Earthquake
94
(a) Rice and Sugarcane
95
(b) II, III, I
96
(b) A grid pattern aligning streets roughly north-south and east-west
97
(a) Fire altars (Havan Kunds) built on prominent brick platforms
98
(c) The entrance to the houses was generally from the main arterial streets
99
(b) II and III only
100
(c) Cylindrical seal - Suggests trade contacts with Mesopotamia
Key facts from Prehistoric Rajasthan
Didwana in Nagaur district is a Lower Palaeolithic site, excavated by V. N. Misra among others.
Bagor in Bhilwara district stands on the Kothari river and is a Mesolithic site with early evidence of animal domestication.
Ahar, in the Mewar region, gives its name to the Ahar or Banas Chalcolithic culture; its first excavation was in 1953 by Akshay Kirti Vyas.
Ganeshwar in Sikar district lies on the Kantli river and supplied copper to the Harappan civilization.
Kalibangan in Hanumangarh district is a Harappan site, so it is the odd one out among Lower Palaeolithic sites.
The Chalcolithic period is the one marked by the joint use of stone and copper.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Prehistoric Rajasthan?
This page has 119 practice MCQs on Prehistoric Rajasthan (Rajasthan History, Art and Culture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Where is the Bagor site and what is it known for?
Bagor is in Bhilwara district, on the banks of the Kothari river. It is a Mesolithic site, known for its microlithic tools and for some of the earliest evidence of animal domestication in the Indian subcontinent. V. N. Misra led its excavation.
Which river is linked to the Ganeshwar site?
The Kantli river, in Sikar district. Ganeshwar yielded a large number of copper objects, and it is described as a copper-supplying centre to the Harappan civilization, which makes it one of the most quoted Chalcolithic sites of the state.
What does the term Chalcolithic mean?
It describes a culture that used both stone and copper tools side by side. In Rajasthan the Chalcolithic Ahar or Banas culture flourished in the Banas river system of the south-east, with Ahar in Udaipur district as its type site.
