Periodisation of Indian History MCQ: Paleolithic Tools, the Belan Valley & Mesolithic Sites

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Who is recognized as the father of Indian pre-history and what was his professional affiliation?

   • A.Alexander Cunningham; Archaeologist
   • B.Robert Bruce Foote; Geologist and Archaeologist✓ Correct Answer
   • C.John Marshall; Civil Servant
   • D.Mortimer Wheeler; Military Officer

   Explanation: The initiation of Stone Age research in India is attributed to Robert Bruce Foote. In 1863, he discovered the first Paleolithic tool in India.

2. Q2.Which terminology system divided human history into Stone, Bronze, and Iron ages?

   • A.The Carbon Dating System
   • B.The Geological Time Scale
   • C.The Three-Age System✓ Correct Answer
   • D.The Binomial Classification

   Explanation: The tripartite classification of human history into Stone, Bronze, and Iron ages was developed by the Danish archaeologist Christian Jurgensen Thomsen.

3. Q3.Which river valley yielded the first 'Chopper-chopping' pebble tools?

   • A.Belan River Valley
   • B.Narmada River Valley
   • C.Sohan River Valley✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Godavari River Valley

   Explanation: The Sohan river valley is the type-site for the earliest lithic tradition known as the Chopper-chopping industry.

4. Q4.Where were the first hand-axe implements discovered in India?

   • A.Bhimbetka
   • B.Vadamadurai and Attirampakkam✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Didwana
   • D.Hunsgi

   Explanation: The southern region of India, specifically near Madras (Vadamadurai and Attirampakkam), yielded the first hand-axe implements.

5. Q5.Who directed the archaeological research in the Belan Valley?

   • A.H.D. Sankalia
   • B.V.N. Misra
   • C.G.R. Sharma✓ Correct Answer
   • D.B.B. Lal

   Explanation: The Belan Valley research was a major project conducted under the direction of G.R. Sharma of Allahabad University.

6. Q6.What unique organic artefact was recovered from the Lohanda Nala region?

   • A.An ivory pendant
   • B.A bone-made statue of the Mother Goddess✓ Correct Answer
   • C.A fossilized ostrich eggshell
   • D.An antler sickle

   Explanation: The discovery of a bone-made statue of the Mother Goddess from the Lohanda Nala region of the Belan Valley is exceptional.

7. Q7.Which three tool types are diagnostic of the Lower Paleolithic period?

   • A.Scraper, Burin, Point
   • B.Handaxe, Cleaver, Chopper✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Microlith, Trapeze, Lunate
   • D.Celt, Adze, Chisel

   Explanation: The Lower Paleolithic is defined by heavy core tools: the Handaxe, Cleaver, and Chopper.

8. Q8.What defines the tool assemblage of the Middle Paleolithic period?

   • A.Handaxes and Cleavers
   • B.Points, Borers, and Scrapers✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Microliths
   • D.Polished Stone Axes

   Explanation: The transition to the Middle Paleolithic is marked by a shift towards flake tools like Points, Borers, and Scrapers.

9. Q9.Which tool type characterizes the Upper Paleolithic period?

   • A.Choppers
   • B.Burins✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Celts
   • D.Handaxes

   Explanation: The Upper Paleolithic represents the final phase of the Old Stone Age, characterized by the appearance of Burins.

10. Q10.Where was the earliest evidence of man (hominid presence) found in India?

    • A.Sohan Valley
    • B.Narmada Valley✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Belan Valley
    • D.Krishna Valley

    Explanation: The search for early human fossils in India culminated in the western Narmada region of Madhya Pradesh (Hathnora).

11. Q11.What were the primary subsistence strategies of Paleolithic people?

    • A.Agriculture and Herding
    • B.Hunting and nature-dependence✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Trade and Commerce
    • D.Fishing and Pottery

    Explanation: The archival text emphasizes that Paleolithic life was 'completely natural' and 'primarily dependent on hunting'. There was no production of food.

12. Q12.Were Paleolithic people familiar with fire?

    • A.Yes, they used it for cooking.
    • B.Yes, they worshipped fire.
    • C.No, they were unfamiliar with fire and ate raw meat.✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Yes, they used it to clear forests.

    Explanation: A significant cultural marker mentioned in the text is that Paleolithic people were 'unfamiliar with fire, so they ate raw meat'.

13. Q13.When did the research on Stone Age Civilization formally begin in India?

    • A.1857
    • B.1863✓ Correct Answer
    • C.1921
    • D.1947

    Explanation: The year 1863 is cited as the commencement of Stone Age research in India, coinciding with Robert Bruce Foote's initial discoveries.

14. Q14.Who discovered the Mesolithic rock paintings in the Vindhya region?

    • A.V.S. Wakankar
    • B.C.L. Carlyle✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Cunningham
    • D.John Marshall

    Explanation: We came to know about the Mesolithic period only after C.L. Carlyle discovered Rock Paintings in the Vindhya region in 1867-68.

15. Q15.In which period did the domestication of animals begin?

    • A.Lower Paleolithic
    • B.Upper Paleolithic
    • C.Mesolithic Period✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Chalcolithic Period

    Explanation: According to excavated evidence, the domestication of animals began in the Mesolithic period, marking the first step towards a pastoral economy.

16. Q16.Which sites provide the earliest evidence of animal domestication in India?

    • A.Bhimbetka and Didwana
    • B.Adamgarh and Bagor✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Sarai Nahar Rai and Mahadaha
    • D.Mehrgarh and Koldihwa

    Explanation: The text identifies Adamgarh in Hoshangabad district (Madhya Pradesh) and Bagor in Bhilwara district (Rajasthan) as the locations yielding the earliest evidence.

17. Q17.Where is the Mesolithic site Mahadaha located?

    • A.Pratapgarh district, U.P.✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Allahabad district, U.P.
    • C.Raisen district, M.P.
    • D.Bhilwara district, Rajasthan

    Explanation: The Gangetic plain holds significant Mesolithic sites. Mahadaha, located in the Pratapgarh district of U.P., is prominent among them.

18. Q18.What specific materials were used for implements found at Mahadaha?

    • A.Copper and Bronze
    • B.Bones and Horns✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Iron and Steel
    • D.Terracotta

    Explanation: A large number of implements made of bones and horns have been found from Mahadaha. This suggests a scarcity of stone resources.

19. Q19.Which book details the bone ornaments from Sarai Nahar Rai and Mahadaha?

    • A.Ancient India by R.S. Sharma
    • B.Puratattva Vimarsh by Dr. J.N. Pandey✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Indian Archaeology by H.D. Sankalia
    • D.Prehistoric India by Stuart Piggott

    Explanation: The text references 'Puratattva Vimarsh' by Dr. Jai Narayan Pandey as a scholarly source describing the pointed objects and ornaments.

20. Q20.How many human graves were excavated at the site of Damdama?

    • A.17
    • B.27
    • C.41✓ Correct Answer
    • D.100

    Explanation: Damdama, another site in Pratapgarh district, yielded 41 human graves. This high density of burials indicates a relatively stable settlement.