Q61. Identify the correctly matched pair of Chalcolithic culture and its associated region in Rajasthan.
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 61–70 of 119 questions
Q62. Read the following statements regarding Chalcolithic economies and select the correct option:
Statement I: The Chalcolithic economies of Rajasthan were predominantly agro-pastoral.
Statement II: Evidence from sites like Balathal indicates the cultivation of diverse crops including wheat and barley.
Statement I: The Chalcolithic economies of Rajasthan were predominantly agro-pastoral.
Statement II: Evidence from sites like Balathal indicates the cultivation of diverse crops including wheat and barley.
Explanation
The Chalcolithic economies in Rajasthan were primarily agro-pastoral, combining the cultivation of crops with animal husbandry. Evidence from major sites like Balathal confirms the farming of various crops, including wheat, barley, and lentils. This stable food supply, supplemented by the rearing of cattle, sheep, and goats, allowed these communities to establish permanent village settlements and develop specialized craft industries.
Q63. What is the main distinguishing feature of Rajasthan’s Banasian (Ahar) Chalcolithic culture compared to the contemporary Harappan civilization?
Explanation
The Banasian or Ahar culture differs significantly from the contemporary Harappan civilization in its social and architectural organization. While the Harappans built highly planned urban centers with advanced drainage, the Ahar people lived in rural settlements. Their houses were constructed using local stone foundations and mud walls, lacking the standardized town planning, grid systems, and baked brick architecture characteristic of Harappans.
Q64. The Ochre Coloured Pottery (O.C.P.) tradition in Rajasthan is most closely associated with the metallurgical exploitation of which element?
Explanation
The Ochre Coloured Pottery (O.C.P.) tradition is fundamentally linked to the exploitation of copper resources in Rajasthan. Centered in the Ganeshwar-Jodhpura region, these communities were expert metallurgists who utilized the rich Khetri copper belt. They produced a vast array of copper artifacts, including arrowheads, axes, and fish hooks, which were likely traded with other contemporary cultures, including the Indus Valley.
Q65. The initial excavations at Ahar, leading to the discovery of the Banas culture, were conducted in 1953 by:
Explanation
Akshay Kirti Vyas conducted the first formal excavations at the site of Ahar in 1953. His initial work brought to light the existence of a major Chalcolithic culture in the Mewar region, which was later extensively studied by other scholars. These discoveries were crucial for understanding the rural counterparts to the urban Harappan civilization and the regional diversity of protohistoric Indian societies.
Q66. Match List-I with List-II regarding Ahar culture sites and their modern districts in Rajasthan:
| Ahar Culture Site | Modern District |
|---|---|
| A. Ahar | i. Rajsamand |
| B. Gilund | ii. Udaipur |
| C. Balathal | iii. Bhilwara |
| D. Ojhiyana | iv. Udaipur (Vallabhnagar) |
Explanation
The Ahar culture is spread across several modern districts in Rajasthan. The type site, Ahar, is located in Udaipur, while Gilund is situated in the Rajsamand district. Balathal, another major settlement, is found within the Vallabhnagar tehsil of Udaipur. Ojhiyana is located in the Bhilwara district. Each of these sites has provided unique insights into the regional variations of the culture.
Q67. The ancient site of Ahar is referred to by which name in ancient inscriptions and literature, denoting its abundance of copper?
Explanation
Ancient inscriptions and historical literature refer to the site of Ahar by names that highlight its economic importance. It is known as Tambavati, meaning "the city of copper," due to the intensive copper smelting activities discovered there. Additionally, it is referred to as Aghatpur or Aghat-durg. While ‘Dhulkot’ is the local name for the mound, the other terms reflect its status.
Q68. Consider the following statements regarding the architecture of the Ahar culture:
I. Houses were largely built on platforms of locally available schist stone.
II. Mud or sun-dried bricks were extensively used for superstructures.
III. Baked bricks were uniformly used in all houses from the earliest phase.
IV. Multi-roomed houses were common.
V. Hearths (chullahs) with multiple cooking faces were found, suggesting large or joint families.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Houses were largely built on platforms of locally available schist stone.
II. Mud or sun-dried bricks were extensively used for superstructures.
III. Baked bricks were uniformly used in all houses from the earliest phase.
IV. Multi-roomed houses were common.
V. Hearths (chullahs) with multiple cooking faces were found, suggesting large or joint families.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Ahar architecture is characterized by multi-roomed houses built on sturdy schist stone platforms. The superstructures were made of mud or sun-dried bricks, as baked bricks were not commonly used for residential construction. A notable feature is the discovery of multi-faced hearths, suggesting large communal cooking or joint families. These structures reflect a well-organized rural society adapted to the local resources.
Q69. Which architectural feature is notably absent in the general habitation structures of the Ahar site?
Explanation
While the Ahar culture displayed sophisticated rural planning, baked bricks are notably absent in its general habitation structures. Instead, the Ahar people utilized locally available stone for foundations and sun-dried mud bricks or wattle-and-daub for walls. Roofs were typically thatched with bamboo and grass. The lack of baked bricks distinguishes Ahar from urban Harappan sites, emphasizing its distinct rural character.
Q70. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the Ahar people.
Explanation
The Ahar people were skilled metallurgists, and the claim that they were unaware of copper smelting is entirely false. Archaeological evidence, including copper slag and furnaces, confirms that they actively smelted ore to produce tools. They also manufactured characteristic Black and Red Ware pottery, cultivated rice, and produced decorative terracotta beads, showcasing a highly self-sufficient and culturally rich Chalcolithic community.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 61 | (c) Ahar Culture - Mewar region |
| 62 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. |
| 63 | (a) The Banasian culture used purely rural architectural forms primarily made of stone and mud, lacking town planning. |
| 64 | (b) Copper |
| 65 | (b) Akshay Kirti Vyas |
| 66 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 67 | (d) Both 2 and 3 |
| 68 | (b) I, II, IV, and V only |
| 69 | (c) Baked bricks |
| 70 | (b) They were entirely unaware of copper smelting and imported all finished tools. |
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.