Q21. By definition, what characterizes a ‘scraper’, which is heavily found in Rajasthan’s Middle Palaeolithic sites?
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 21–30 of 119 questions
Q22. Which of the following correctly describes the archaeological characteristics of the Wagan river basin in Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Wagan river basin in Rajasthan is archaeologically significant for its evidence of early human occupation. Systematic surveys have revealed a rich sequence of artifacts, spanning the Acheulian tradition of the Lower Palaeolithic to various Middle Palaeolithic flake tools. These findings indicate that the basin provided a stable environment with accessible raw materials and water, supporting human populations over long periods.
Q23. What was a major shift in raw material procurement from the Lower to the Middle Palaeolithic period in western Rajasthan?
Explanation
A major technological transition occurred from the Lower to the Middle Palaeolithic in western Rajasthan regarding raw material selection. Early humans shifted from using coarse, bulky quartzite to finer, more siliceous stones such as chert, jasper, and agate. This change allowed for the production of smaller, sharper, and more refined flake tools, demonstrating an improved understanding of lithic properties and craftsmanship.
Q24. Select the correct chronological sequence of Palaeolithic periods in Rajasthan, generally characterized by progressive reduction in tool size:
Explanation
The Palaeolithic era in Rajasthan follows a standard chronological progression characterized by the gradual refinement and reduction in the size of stone tools. It begins with the Lower Palaeolithic, featuring heavy handaxes. This is followed by the Middle Palaeolithic, focused on flake tools. Finally, the Upper Palaeolithic emerges, introducing sophisticated blade and burin technologies, reflecting increasing human cognitive and technical complexity.
Q25. Evidence of Upper Palaeolithic culture in Rajasthan has been most prominently identified in and around which basin?
Explanation
Evidence of Upper Palaeolithic culture in Rajasthan is most prominently found in the Pushkar basin, particularly around the Budha Pushkar lake. This region has yielded sophisticated stone tool assemblages, including blades and burins. The environmental context suggests that these groups inhabited the area during a period of fluctuating aridity, utilizing the lake’s resources while developing more efficient and specialized technologies.
Q26. The excavations at Budha Pushkar, which provided insights into the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition, were conducted by whom?
Explanation
B. Allchin conducted significant archaeological investigations at Budha Pushkar, providing crucial insights into the transition from Middle to Upper Palaeolithic cultures. Her work focused on the relationship between human habitation and the changing sand dune landscapes of the Thar desert. These studies helped establish the presence of late Pleistocene hunter-gatherers in Rajasthan and their adaptation to increasingly arid environmental conditions.
Q27. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic feature of the Upper Palaeolithic culture in Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Upper Palaeolithic in Rajasthan is defined by blade and burin technologies and the use of ostrich eggshells for ornaments. This era occurred during a period of significant environmental stress and aridity. However, the use of smelted copper tools is not a feature of this period; metallurgy emerged much later during the Chalcolithic phase, representing a completely different developmental stage.
Q28. Consider the following statements regarding the Upper Palaeolithic phase in Rajasthan:
I. The climate during this phase in western Rajasthan was highly humid and tropical.
II. Burins and retouched blades represent the hallmark tool types of this era.
III. Ostrich eggshells have been discovered at some sites indicating prevailing environmental conditions.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The climate during this phase in western Rajasthan was highly humid and tropical.
II. Burins and retouched blades represent the hallmark tool types of this era.
III. Ostrich eggshells have been discovered at some sites indicating prevailing environmental conditions.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Upper Palaeolithic phase in Rajasthan is characterized by the production of specialized tools like burins and retouched blades. Discoveries of ostrich eggshells at several sites indicate that the environment was quite arid rather than humid or tropical. These eggshells were often used to create beads, providing evidence of early artistic expression and human adaptation to the harsh environment.
Q29. Which of the following stands as an odd one out among the Upper Palaeolithic/Mesolithic sites of the Thar region?
Explanation
Budha Pushkar, Hokra, and Jayal are significant prehistoric sites within the Thar region, yielding Palaeolithic or Mesolithic evidence. In contrast, Gilund is a major Chalcolithic site located in the Banas river basin of southeastern Rajasthan. It belongs to the Ahar culture and is characterized by a much later agricultural economy, sophisticated pottery, and the use of copper and brick architecture.
Q30. Match List-I with List-II regarding prehistoric characteristics and cultural phases:
| Prehistoric Characteristic | Specific Cultural Phase |
|---|---|
| A. Ostrich eggshell beads | i. Lower Palaeolithic |
| B. Handaxes | ii. Middle Palaeolithic |
| C. Levallois flakes | iii. Upper Palaeolithic |
| D. Geometric Microliths | iv. Mesolithic |
Explanation
Prehistoric phases are linked to specific material markers. Ostrich eggshell beads are hallmarks of the Upper Palaeolithic, while handaxes define the Lower Palaeolithic. Levallois flakes are characteristic of the Middle Palaeolithic’s specialized flake production. Finally, geometric microliths are the defining feature of the Mesolithic period, representing a shift toward miniature, hafted tools used by hunter-gatherer communities in various settings.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (c) A flake tool with a retouched working edge used for working wood or hides |
| 22 | (b) It has yielded a rich sequence of Acheulian and Middle Palaeolithic artifacts |
| 23 | (d) A shift from coarse quartzite to fine-grained siliceous stones like chert and jasper |
| 24 | (c) Lower Palaeolithic Middle Palaeolithic Upper Palaeolithic |
| 25 | (c) Pushkar basin |
| 26 | (a) B. Allchin |
| 27 | (d) Widespread use of smelted copper tools |
| 28 | (b) II and III only |
| 29 | (c) Gilund |
| 30 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-ii, D-iv |
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.