Q111. The presence of copper mirrors in the graves of Kalibangan most strongly points to an understanding and application of:
Prehistoric Rajasthan: RAS Prelims MCQs
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 111–119 of 119 questions
Q112. Geographically, the highest concentration of surveyed Palaeolithic and Mesolithic sites in western Rajasthan is found in the basin of which river?
Explanation
Geographically, the Luni river basin in western Rajasthan contains the highest concentration of surveyed Palaeolithic and Mesolithic sites. The river and its tributaries provided a critical lifeline in an otherwise semi-arid environment, offering water and attracting game for ancient hunter-gatherers. The abundance of lithic tools found along the riverbanks demonstrates that this region was a major hub of human activity throughout antiquity.
Q113. Match List-I with List-II regarding the geographical regions of Rajasthan and their associated major prehistoric/protohistoric sites:
| Geographical Region of Rajasthan | Associated Prehistoric/Protohistoric Site |
|---|---|
| A. Mewar region | i. Kalibangan |
| B. Shekhawati region | ii. Didwana |
| C. Ghaggar region | iii. Ganeshwar |
| D. Marwar region | iv. Ahar |
Explanation
Rajasthan’s prehistoric sites are spread across various geographical regions. The Mewar region is home to the Ahar culture, while the Shekhawati region contains the copper-rich site of Ganeshwar. The Ghaggar region in the north is where the famous Harappan site of Kalibangan is located. Finally, the Marwar region, particularly the area around Didwana, is renowned for its extensive Palaeolithic sequences.
Q114. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the geographical spread of prehistoric sites in Rajasthan.
Explanation
While the Thar desert is currently a harsh environment, the claim that it has zero evidence of prehistoric humans is entirely false. Archaeological research has uncovered numerous sites within the desert core that were inhabited during wetter climatic phases. From the Lower Palaeolithic tools of Didwana to Mesolithic microlith clusters, the Thar has yielded significant evidence of human adaptation over time.
Q115. Consider the following statements mapping cultures to the geography of Rajasthan:
I. Banas basin is famously associated with Chalcolithic agrarian cultures.
II. Kantli river basin is associated with prominent copper-producing sites.
III. Ghaggar valley contains crucial Pre- Harappan and Harappan urban sites.
IV. Luni basin shows rich evidence of Middle Palaeolithic tool industries.
V. The Chambal valley is completely devoid of any painted rock shelters.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Banas basin is famously associated with Chalcolithic agrarian cultures.
II. Kantli river basin is associated with prominent copper-producing sites.
III. Ghaggar valley contains crucial Pre- Harappan and Harappan urban sites.
IV. Luni basin shows rich evidence of Middle Palaeolithic tool industries.
V. The Chambal valley is completely devoid of any painted rock shelters.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Rajasthan’s geography influenced its cultural landscape significantly. The Banas basin supported Chalcolithic farmers, while the Kantli basin was a hub for copper production. The Ghaggar valley hosted urban Harappan sites, and the Luni basin is rich in Middle Palaeolithic remains. However, the claim that the Chambal valley lacks painted rock shelters is incorrect, as the region is famous for rock art.
Q116. What primary geographical factor caused the early Chalcolithic settlements to densely cluster in the Mewar region?
Explanation
The dense clustering of early Chalcolithic settlements in the Mewar region was driven by two key geographical factors. First, the fertile valleys of the Banas river and its tributaries provided ideal conditions for agriculture. Second, the region’s proximity to the Aravalli range offered easy access to rich copper deposits. This combination of resources allowed for the development of stable, self-sufficient farming communities.
Q117. Painted rock shelters representing prehistoric art in Rajasthan are prominently concentrated in the districts associated with which river valley?
Explanation
Painted rock shelters representing prehistoric art in Rajasthan are most prominently concentrated in the Chambal river valley, particularly within the Kota and Bundi districts. These shelters feature vibrant depictions of animals, hunting scenes, and human figures, providing a rare glimpse into the symbolic world of ancient hunter-gatherer communities. The rugged landscape of the valley provided the necessary outcrops for these expressions.
Q118. Observing the spatial transition of ancient cultures in Rajasthan, the trajectory of major development from the Palaeolithic era to the mature Chalcolithic era generally reflects a movement toward:
Explanation
The long-term trajectory of ancient development in Rajasthan shows a clear movement toward river valleys in the south and east. While early Palaeolithic groups were more widely dispersed, the transition to a settled Chalcolithic lifestyle required more stable resources. The fertile soil and perennial water of the Banas and Chambal systems offered the necessary conditions for large-scale agriculture and permanent settlements.
Q119. Which of the following pairings of an ancient site and its modern district in Rajasthan is the odd one out?
Explanation
Identifying the correct location of archaeological sites is essential for understanding regional history. While Kalibangan is in Hanumangarh, Bagor is in Bhilwara, and Ganeshwar is in the Sikar region, the pairing of Ahar with Bikaner is incorrect. Ahar is the type site of the Banas culture and is located in the Udaipur district. Bikaner belongs to a different geographical and archaeological context altogether.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 111 | (b) Metallurgical skills to produce reflective bronze/copper surfaces for personal grooming |
| 112 | (b) Luni |
| 113 | (a) A-iv, B-iii, C-i, D-ii |
| 114 | (c) The core desert region of Thar has absolutely zero evidence of prehistoric human footprint across all epochs. |
| 115 | (a) I, II, III, and IV only |
| 116 | (c) The region possessed fertile river valleys and proximity to rich copper deposits in the Aravallis |
| 117 | (b) Chambal valley (Kota, Bundi) |
| 118 | (d) River valleys providing perennial water and fertile soil in the south and east |
| 119 | (a) Ahar - Bikaner |
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.