Q31. Which of the following statements regarding ostrich eggshell evidence in Rajasthan’s prehistory is incorrect?
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 31–40 of 119 questions
Q32. The following question consists of two statements, Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Assertion (A): Upper Palaeolithic sites are relatively fewer in western Rajasthan compared to Middle Palaeolithic sites.
Reason (R): Extreme hyper-aridity during the Last Glacial Maximum made the region largely inhospitable, causing human populations to migrate.
Assertion (A): Upper Palaeolithic sites are relatively fewer in western Rajasthan compared to Middle Palaeolithic sites.
Reason (R): Extreme hyper-aridity during the Last Glacial Maximum made the region largely inhospitable, causing human populations to migrate.
Explanation
Upper Palaeolithic sites are less frequent in western Rajasthan than Middle Palaeolithic sites due to environmental changes. During the Last Glacial Maximum, the region suffered from extreme hyper-aridity, making it largely inhospitable for human habitation. This climatic shift likely forced populations to migrate to more stable environments, resulting in a thinner archaeological record for this specific phase in the Thar desert.
Q33. The prominent Mesolithic site of Bagor is situated on the banks of which river?
Explanation
Bagor, one of the most important Mesolithic sites in India, is located on the banks of the Kothari river in the Bhilwara district of Rajasthan. The river provided a perennial source of water and attracted diverse wildlife, creating an ideal environment for long-term human settlement. Excavations here have yielded vital evidence regarding the transition from hunting-gathering to early pastoralism and agriculture.
Q34. The extensive archaeological excavations at Bagor in the Bhilwara district were led by which scholar in the late 1960s?
Explanation
V.N. Misra led the extensive archaeological excavations at Bagor during the late 1960s. His meticulous work at this site uncovered a continuous sequence of human occupation over several millennia. The findings were revolutionary, providing some of the earliest and clearest evidence for the domestication of animals in the Indian subcontinent, as well as a rich and diverse assemblage of microliths.
Q35. What was the primary economic basis of the inhabitants during Phase I (earliest phase) of Bagor?
Explanation
The earliest phase of occupation at Bagor was primarily based on a hunting and gathering economy. However, it is highly significant for providing early evidence of animal husbandry, particularly the domestication of sheep and goats. Inhabitants utilized a sophisticated microlithic industry to hunt local game, while also beginning to manage livestock, marking a crucial step toward a more sedentary lifestyle.
Q36. Consider the following statements regarding the site of Bagor:
I. Phase I is characterized purely by a microlithic industry without pottery.
II. Phase II shows the introduction of copper tools and handmade pottery.
III. Phase III contains iron implements and wheel-made pottery.
IV. The site yields no evidence of animal husbandry in any phase.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Phase I is characterized purely by a microlithic industry without pottery.
II. Phase II shows the introduction of copper tools and handmade pottery.
III. Phase III contains iron implements and wheel-made pottery.
IV. The site yields no evidence of animal husbandry in any phase.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Bagor exhibits a clear cultural evolution across three main phases. Phase I is characterized by microliths and animal remains without pottery. Phase II marks the introduction of handmade pottery and copper tools, indicating outside influences. Phase III shows the arrival of iron implements and wheel-made ceramics. Contrary to some claims, the site provides extensive faunal evidence confirming the practice of husbandry.
Q37. Which of the following animals was NOT among the primarily domesticated or hunted species evidenced in the early Mesolithic phase at Bagor?
Explanation
Excavations at Bagor have provided a detailed record of the animals hunted or domesticated by Mesolithic inhabitants. These include cattle, sheep, and goats, which formed the core of the early pastoral economy. While diverse wild species were also present, there is no archaeological evidence for the presence of the horse during this early phase. Horses generally appeared much later in the subcontinent.
Q38. Read the following statements regarding the economic transitions at Bagor and select the correct option:
Statement I: Bagor provides one of the earliest pieces of evidence for animal husbandry in the Indian subcontinent.
Statement II: The faunal remains at Bagor indicate a sudden shift to a purely agrarian economy without any reliance on hunting.
Statement I: Bagor provides one of the earliest pieces of evidence for animal husbandry in the Indian subcontinent.
Statement II: The faunal remains at Bagor indicate a sudden shift to a purely agrarian economy without any reliance on hunting.
Explanation
Bagor is renowned for providing some of the earliest evidence of animal husbandry in the Indian subcontinent, specifically involving sheep and goats. However, the transition was not a sudden shift to a purely agrarian economy. Instead, the inhabitants continued to rely significantly on hunting and gathering alongside early pastoralism, demonstrating a gradual and complex economic evolution rather than an immediate change.
Q39. The mound known locally as ‘Maha Satiyan’ is associated with the archaeological discoveries of which prehistoric site?
Explanation
The prominent archaeological mound at Bagor is locally known as ‘Maha Satiyan’. Situated on the Kothari river, this site has yielded an exceptionally rich record of the Mesolithic period. The excavations conducted here revealed a massive collection of microliths and evidence of early animal domestication. It remains a key site for understanding the transition from the Stone Age to the early use of metals.
Q40. Identify the correct statement regarding the microlithic tools found at Bagor.
Explanation
The stone tool industry at Bagor is distinguished by its high-quality microliths. These miniature tools are predominantly geometric in shape, featuring sophisticated forms such as triangles, trapezes, and crescents. They were crafted from fine-grained materials like chert and quartz. These microliths were designed to be hafted into wooden or bone handles, serving as versatile components for arrows, spears, and other implements.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (a) They are exclusively found in Neolithic polished stone contexts |
| 32 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 33 | (b) Kothari |
| 34 | (a) V.N. Misra |
| 35 | (c) Hunting and gathering with early signs of animal domestication |
| 36 | (c) I, II and III only |
| 37 | (c) Horse |
| 38 | (c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect. |
| 39 | (d) Bagor |
| 40 | (a) They are characterized by geometric shapes like triangles and trapezes. |
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.