Periodisation of Indian History MCQ: Bhimbetka Rock Shelters & the Origins of Agriculture

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

1. Q1.What burial configurations were found at Damdama?

   • A.Only single burials
   • B.5 double burials and 1 triple burial✓ Correct Answer
   • C.10 double burials
   • D.Mass graves only

   Explanation: The mortuary practices at Damdama were complex. Out of 41 graves, 5 were double burials (two individuals) and one was a triple burial.

2. Q2.Which site is known for a grave containing four human skeletons?

   • A.Damdama
   • B.Mahadaha
   • C.Sarai Nahar Rai✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Lekhahiya

   Explanation: While Damdama had triple burials, Sarai Nahar Rai is distinguished by a specific grave containing four human skeletons.

3. Q3.According to J.N. Pandey, how many skeletons were found in Lekhahiya Rock Shelter 1?

   • A.17✓ Correct Answer
   • B.27
   • C.41
   • D.5

   Explanation: J.N. Pandey's 'Puratattva Vimarsh' states that 17 human skeletons were found in rock shelter 1 of Lekhahiya.

4. Q4.What is the skeleton count at Lekhahiya according to John R. Lucas?

   • A.17
   • B.27✓ Correct Answer
   • C.35
   • D.10

   Explanation: The text notes that John R. Lucas of Oregon University (USA) reported remnants of 27 human skeletons at Lekhahiya.

5. Q5.Where are the Bhimbetka rock shelters located?

   • A.Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
   • B.Raisen District, Madhya Pradesh✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh
   • D.Aurangabad, Maharashtra

   Explanation: Bhimbetka is a premier prehistoric site located 45 km west of Bhopal in the Raisen district. It is situated in the foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains.

6. Q6.Who discovered the prehistoric significance of Bhimbetka?

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

   Explanation: The archaeological potential of the Bhimbetka caves was recognized by V.S. Wakankar in 1957. His discovery opened up a new chapter.

7. Q7.How many rock shelters and pictures are found at Bhimbetka?

   • A.500 shelters, 100 pictures
   • B.700 shelters, 133 pictures✓ Correct Answer
   • C.200 shelters, 50 pictures
   • D.1000 shelters, 500 pictures

   Explanation: The site is vast, comprising 700 rock shelters. The text specifies that there are 133 pictures within these shelters.

8. Q8.What subjects are depicted in the Bhimbetka paintings?

   • A.Only geometric patterns
   • B.Elephant, sambhar, deer, etc.✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Kings and queens
   • D.Agricultural activities only

   Explanation: The paintings depict the fauna of the period, including elephants, sambhar, and deer, providing ecological data alongside cultural insights.

9. Q9.Which international organization recognizes Bhimbetka as a World Heritage Site?

   • A.UNICEF
   • B.UNESCO✓ Correct Answer
   • C.WHO
   • D.WWF

   Explanation: UNESCO has included the shell pictures of Bhimbetka in its list of World Heritage sites, validating its global significance.

10. Q10.What caused the migration of Stone Age people from the Vindhyas to the Ganga Valley?

    • A.Foreign invasion
    • B.Climatic change (Dry phase)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Floods
    • D.Overpopulation

    Explanation: The text attributes the migration of Stone Age people from the Vindhyas to the Ganga Valley in the terminal Pleistocene period to climatic change.

11. Q11.Which period is associated with the 'Chopper-chopping' tools?

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

    Explanation: The Chopper-chopping pebble tools are the hallmark of the Lower Paleolithic culture in the Sohan valley.

12. Q12.What is the primary characteristic of the Upper Paleolithic tool industry?

    • A.Microliths
    • B.Handaxes
    • C.The use of Burins✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Polished Axes

    Explanation: The technological evolution in the Upper Paleolithic is marked by the specialized Burin tools.

13. Q13.Where was the bone-made Mother Goddess statue found?

    • A.Narmada Valley
    • B.Lohanda Nala (Belan Valley)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Sohan Valley
    • D.Bhimbetka

    Explanation: The text specifically locates the finding of the Mother Goddess statue to the Lohanda Nala region of the Belan Valley.

14. Q14.Which Mesolithic site is located in the Bhilwara district of Rajasthan?

    • A.Adamgarh
    • B.Bagor✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Langhnaj
    • D.Tilwara

    Explanation: Bagor is explicitly identified as being in the Bhilwara district of Rajasthan.

15. Q15.Which Mesolithic site is located in Hoshangabad, M.P.?

    • A.Bhimbetka
    • B.Adamgarh✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Bagor
    • D.Mahadaha

    Explanation: Adamgarh is located in Hoshangabad, M.P., and is key for evidence of animal domestication.

16. Q16.In which age were grains first produced?

    • A.Paleolithic Age
    • B.Mesolithic Age
    • C.Neolithic Age✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Chalcolithic Age

    Explanation: The text states, 'Grains were first ever produced in Neolithic Age. It was the time when people were introduced to agriculture'.

17. Q17.Which two Neolithic villages provided clear evidence of rice and wheat?

    • A.Burzahom and Gufkral
    • B.Koldihwa and Mehrgarh✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Chirand and Piklihal
    • D.Mahadaha and Damdama

    Explanation: Koldihwa and Mehrgarh are highlighted as the two Neolithic villages from where clear pieces of evidence of rice and wheat, respectively, have been found.

18. Q18.What was the first grain to be cultivated by human beings?

    • A.Wheat
    • B.Rice
    • C.Barley✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Maize

    Explanation: Among the eight main food grains, Barley was the first to be cultivated by humans, dating back to 8000 BC in Western Asia.

19. Q19.What is the approximate date for the first cultivation of wheat?

    • A.9000 BC
    • B.8000 BC✓ Correct Answer
    • C.7000 BC
    • D.6000 BC

    Explanation: Wheat cultivation followed closely or was contemporary with barley, occurring in the same Western Asian region around 8000 BC.

20. Q20.Where and when was Rice first cultivated globally?

    • A.Indus Valley, 2500 BC
    • B.Yangtze River, China, 7000 BC✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Nile Valley, 5000 BC
    • D.Belan Valley, 9000 BC

    Explanation: Rice was the third grain to be cultivated, with its origins traced to the Yangtze River in China around 7000 BC.