Old edition of NCERT Books are still high in demand in terms of UPSC IAS Exam Preparation because it has extensive coverage of the topics given in the UPSC IAS Exam syllabus. The IAS aspirants find it difficult to get an old edition NCERT book from market due to its unavailability in the market.
Here, we have provided Multiple Choice Questions of Ancient Indian History which have been created from the old edition of NCERT book, go and check your level of your Preparation of IAS Prelims Exam.
1. Consider the following statements regarding early humans:
I. One of the well established facts that the earliest human fossils found in Africa dates back to about 4.2 million years.
II. As per the human fossils found show that the earliest human beings were shorter in height and had a smaller brain.
III. The fossils of various periods and stages of human development have been found from many parts of the world like Africa, China, Java, Sumatra and southern Europe.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation: It is now well established that the earliest human fossils found in Africa dates back to about 4.2 m.y. These specimens show that the earliest human beings were shorter in height and had a smaller brain. The humans evolved over a period of these 42lakhs years and the present form reached about 50,000 years ago. The fossils of various periods and stages of human development have been found from many parts of the world like Africa, China, Java, Sumatra and southern Europe.
2. In which of the following Indian valley, the early hominid fossil has been found?
a. Indus valley
b. Narmada valley
c. Gangetic valley
d. All of the above
Answer: b
Explanation: The fossils of various periods and stages of human development have been found from many parts of the world like Africa, China, Java, Sumatra and southern Europe. Unfortunately, due to the climatic conditions, except the solitary find of a hominid fossil from Hathnaura in the Narmada Valley, no early human fossils have been found in India. According to the experts the estimated cranial capacity of this fossil is equal to 'that of homo erectus. However, some scholars• feel that it may belong to the last phase of Homo erectus, or an 'archaic' homo sapien.
3. Consider the following statements regarding the earliest Palaeolithic tools:
I. The beginning of the use of tools by the humans has been a unique phenomenon and may be said to have laid the foundation of science of use of tools and machines for the aid of humans in their various endeavour.
II. The regular use of tools, beginning 2.6 m.y. ago in east Africa is well attested and accompanies many earlier and later hominid fossils.
III. In India, no human fossils have been found associated with Stone Age tools but we do have some idea of the antiquity of tools from the geological datings.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation: The beginning of the use of tools by the humans has been a unique phenomenon and may be said to have laid the foundation of science of use of tools and machines for the aid of humans in their various endeavour. The regular use of tools, beginning 2.6 m.y. ago in east Africa is well attested and accompanies many earlier and later hominid fossils. In case of Indonesia several hominid remains have recently been dated between 1.8 and 1.6 m.y. In China the early stone tools are associated with human fossils dated between 1.7 and 1.9 m.y. In India, unfortunately, no human fossils have been found associated with Stone Age tools but we do have some idea of the antiquity of tools from the geological datings.
4. From which of the following Indian archaeological site the earliest stone tools have been found?
a. Lothal
b. Sindh
c. Bori
d. Kabul
Answer: c
Explanation: In India, unfortunately, no human fossils have been found associated with Stone Age tools but we do have some idea of the antiquity of tools from the geological datings. The various strata of the Sivalik hills containing stone tools have been dated between 2 m.y. and 1, 2 m.y. Another scientific date for the early stone tools came from the archaeological site of Bori in Pune district of Maharashtra which is 1.38 m.y old. When we assess the evidence for early human settlement in India we find that it is later than that in the African region, but contemporary to the rest of the Asian countries.
5. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
a. Lower Palaeolithic - Tools made on flakes and blades
b. Middle Palaeolithic- Tools made on flakes
c. Upper Palaeolithic- Handaxe and cleaver industries
d. All of the above
Answer: c
Explanation: The Palaeolithic Age in India is divided into three phases, based on tool technology. These phases are:
(i) Lower Palaeolithic- Handaxe and cleaver industries
(ii) Middle Palaeolithic- Tools made on flakes
(iii) Upper Palaeolithic- Tools made on flakes and blades
6. Consider the following statements regarding the tools of the Lower Palaeolithic culture:
I. The main tool types in this phase were hand axes and cleavers, along with chopper-chopping tools.
II. The stones were made both on cores as well as flakes.
III. The raw materials used for making these stone tools 'are of various kinds of stone, like quartzite, chert and sometimes even quartz and besalt, etc.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation: The main tool types in this phase were hand axes and cleavers, along with chopper-chopping tools. They were made both on cores as well as flakes. Lower Palaeolithic sites are of several types: habitation sites (either under rock-shelters or in the open; factory sites associated with sources of raw materials; sites that combine elements of both these functions; and open air sites in any of these categories subsequently. The raw materials used for making these stone tools 'are of various kinds of stone, like quartzite, chert and sometimes even quartz and besalt, etc.
7. Which of the following sites is belongs to the Lower Palaeolithic cultures?
a. Pahalgam
b. Belan valley
c. Bhimbetka
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation: Some of the important sites of Lower Palaeolithic cultures are Pahalgam in Kashmir, Belan valley in Allahabad district (Uttar Pradesh) Bhimbetka and Adamgarh in Hoshangabad district, (Madhya Pradesh), 16 R and Singi Talav in Nagaur district (Rajasthan),
Nevasa in Ahmadnagar district (Maharashtra), Hunsgi in Gulburga district (in Kanlataka) and the famous site of Attirampakkam (Tamil Nadu).
8. Consider the following statements regarding the stretch of sites of Lower Palaeolithic culture:
I. The sites have been widespread in Sivalik range of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Belan valley in Uttar Pradesh.
II. The stretch was also in Berach basin and the hilly area of Rajasthan, and Narmada and Sone valleys in Madhya Pradesh, Malprabha and Ghatprabha basins in Karnataka.
III. It was also in several areas of Maharashtra, areas near Chennai in Tamil Nadu and Chhota Nagpur plateau, and in areas of Orissa, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation: The sites have been widespread in Sivalik range of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Belan valley in Uttar Pradesh, Berach basin and the hilly area of Rajasthan, and Narmada and Sone valleys in Madhya Pradesh, Malprabha and Ghatprabha basins
in Karnataka, several areas of Maharashtra, areas near Chennai in Tamil Nadu and Chhota Nagpur plateau, and in areas of Orissa, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.
9. Consider the following statements regarding tools and technology of the Middle Palaeolithic culture:
I. The middle Palaeolithic tool technology is characterised basically by the flake tool industry which are made on flakes obtained by striking them out from pebbles or cobbles.
II. The tool types include small and medium-sized handaxes, cleavers and various kinds of scrapers, borers, and knives.
III. The tools show regional variations both in terms of available raw materials as well as shapes and sizes.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation: The middle Palaeolithic tool technology is characterised basically by the flake tool industry. The tools are made on flakes obtained by striking them out from pebbles or cobbles. The tool types include small and medium-sized handaxes, cleavers and various kinds of scrapers, borers, and knives. The tools show regional variations both in terms of available raw materials as well as shapes and sizes. There are large borers or awls, worked with steep retouch on thick flakes.
10. Which of the following sites is not belong to the Middle Palaeolithic culture:
a. Belan valley
b. Bhimbetka
c. Nevasa
d. Pushkar
Answer: a
Explanation: Middle Palaeolithic tools have mostly been found in Central India, Deccan, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Orissa. Wherever the Middle Palaeolithic industries have developed from those of the Lower Palaeolithic, there is an unbroken continuity of occupation of the site. Some of the most important sites of Middle Palaeolithic period are Bhimbetka, Nevasa, Pushkar, Rohiri hills of upper Sind, and Samnapur on Narmada.
