Q41. In the context of Rajasthan’s Mesolithic period, what defines ‘geometric microliths’?
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 41–50 of 119 questions
Q42. Match List-I with List-II regarding the cultural phases and material features of Bagor:
| Cultural Phase of Bagor | Defining Material Feature |
|---|---|
| A. Phase I | i. Introduction of iron tools and wheel-made pottery |
| B. Phase II | ii. Glass beads and modern artifacts |
| C. Phase III | iii. Exclusively microliths and animal bones (aceramic) |
| D. Late historical occupation | iv. Microliths combined with copper tools and handmade pottery |
Explanation
Bagor’s cultural sequence is defined by its changing material remains. Phase I is aceramic, featuring only microliths and animal bones. Phase II introduces copper tools and handmade pottery alongside microliths. Phase III is marked by the appearance of iron implements and wheel-made ceramics. Later occupations are identified by modern artifacts like glass beads, reflecting the site’s long-term importance as a center of activity.
Q43. What environmental factor is considered the primary cause for continuous prehistoric habitation at the Bagor site?
Explanation
The primary reason for the continuous prehistoric habitation at Bagor was its favorable ecological setting. Situated on the banks of the Kothari river, the site offered a perennial source of water and a landscape rich in diverse plant and animal resources. This stable environment supported both hunting-gathering activities and the eventual transition to pastoralism, making it an attractive location for humans.
Q44. Consider the following statements about burial practices at Bagor:
I. Burials were found within the settlement area.
II. In Phase I, human skeletons were placed in an extended position with east-west orientation.
III. In Phase II, bodies were placed in a flexed (crouched) position.
IV. Grave goods such as meat offerings and copper ornaments accompanied the dead.
V. The site reveals strict segregation of cemeteries outside the habitation boundaries.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Burials were found within the settlement area.
II. In Phase I, human skeletons were placed in an extended position with east-west orientation.
III. In Phase II, bodies were placed in a flexed (crouched) position.
IV. Grave goods such as meat offerings and copper ornaments accompanied the dead.
V. The site reveals strict segregation of cemeteries outside the habitation boundaries.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Burial practices at Bagor were conducted within the settlement area. In Phase I, the deceased were laid in an extended east-west position. Phase II saw a shift toward flexed or crouched positions, often accompanied by grave goods like copper ornaments and meat offerings. There was no evidence of segregated cemeteries outside the habitation area, reflecting a close social integration between the groups.
Q45. Identify the incorrectly matched pair regarding the Bagor excavations.
Explanation
While Bagor provides a rich sequence of prehistoric and protohistoric occupation, the claim that it featured multi-story baked brick houses is incorrect. The architecture at Bagor was primarily composed of stone-paved floors, mud walls, and wattle-and-daub structures. Sophisticated baked brick architecture is a hallmark of urban civilizations like the Harappans, which followed a different developmental trajectory than the rural settlement.
Q46. What type of flooring was unearthed in the habitation structures of Bagor?
Explanation
Excavations at the Mesolithic site of Bagor revealed interesting details about ancient habitation structures. The inhabitants constructed durable flooring using locally available schist slabs and river pebbles. These stone-paved floors were designed to provide a stable and dry surface for their huts. This architectural feature suggests a degree of sedentism and organized living spaces even during the early hunting-gathering and pastoral phases.
Q47. Which of the following statements incorrectly describes the Bagor culture?
Explanation
Bagor is a unique site showing a long, continuous sequence of human occupation. While it eventually transitioned toward a pastoral and agricultural economy, it was certainly not solely an agricultural community from its inception. The earliest phase was rooted in hunting and gathering. The archaeological record clearly demonstrates a gradual shift where hunting remained important even as animal husbandry and metal were introduced.
Q48. Arrange the material cultural phases of Bagor in proper chronological order:
I. Microliths + Iron tools
II. Microliths alone
III. Microliths + Copper tools
Select the correct sequence:
I. Microliths + Iron tools
II. Microliths alone
III. Microliths + Copper tools
Select the correct sequence:
Explanation
The material culture at Bagor evolved through three distinct chronological stages. The sequence begins with a purely microlithic phase focused on hunting and early pastoralism. This is followed by a stage where copper tools and handmade pottery were introduced alongside traditional stone tools. Finally, the Iron Age phase emerged, characterized by the appearance of iron implements and wheel-made pottery, reflecting regional shifts.
Q49. Why is a distinct, classical "Neolithic" phase largely considered sparse or absent in the prehistoric record of Rajasthan compared to South India?
Explanation
A classical Neolithic phase is considered sparse in Rajasthan because many communities transitioned rapidly from late Mesolithic traditions directly into the Chalcolithic. The early discovery and exploitation of abundant copper deposits in the Aravalli range facilitated this quick adoption of metal. Consequently, the traditional Neolithic markers, such as polished stone tools, are often bypassed in favor of copper implements within settled communities.
Q50. Evidence of early agriculture in the margins of Rajasthan, often associated with the Neolithic transition in neighboring regions, is best inferred from which type of discoveries?
Explanation
In the transition toward food production in Rajasthan, certain archaeological finds suggest early agricultural activities. The discovery of heavy ground and polished stone axes is particularly significant. These tools were likely used for clearing forests and preparing land for cultivation. While not as widespread as in other regions, these artifacts represent the initial steps toward a sedentary lifestyle and the systematic management of plants.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (c) Miniature stone tools shaped deliberately into geometric forms like triangles, crescents, and trapezes |
| 42 | (a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii |
| 43 | (d) Favorable ecological setting near the Kothari river offering reliable water and game |
| 44 | (a) I, II, III, and IV only |
| 45 | (c) Architecture - Baked brick multi-story houses |
| 46 | (d) Stone paved floors made of schist slabs and pebbles |
| 47 | (a) It was solely an agricultural community from its inception, completely detached from hunting |
| 48 | (b) II, III, I |
| 49 | (b) Because early inhabitants transitioned rapidly from Mesolithic directly to Chalcolithic due to early metal adoption |
| 50 | (a) Heavy ground and polished stone axes used for forest clearance |
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.