Periodisation of Indian History MCQ: Navdatoli, Ochre-Coloured Pottery & the Ahar-Jorwe Cultures

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

1. Q1.What position were humans buried in at Burzahom?

   • A.Supine position
   • B.Sitting position✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Crouched position
   • D.Prone position

   Explanation: The skeletons of humans in the burial pits at Burzahom were found in a sitting position.

2. Q2.What type of pottery is associated with the 'Ash mounds' sites?

   • A.Painted Grey Ware
   • B.Northern Black Polished Ware
   • C.Neolithic pottery✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Ochre Coloured Pottery

   Explanation: The context connects Ash mounds to Neolithic herdsmen, hence associated with Neolithic pottery.

3. Q3.Which grain is associated with the site of Mehrgarh in the text?

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

   Explanation: The text cites Mehrgarh as the site where 'earlier evidence of wheat was found'.

4. Q4.Which grain is associated with the site of Koldihwa in the text?

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

   Explanation: Koldihwa is cited for 'clear pieces of evidence of rice'.

5. Q5.What represents the transition from food gathering to food producing?

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

   Explanation: The text defines the Neolithic Age as the time 'when people were introduced to agriculture' and grains were produced.

6. Q6.Which was the first metal used by humans?

   • A.Iron
   • B.Gold
   • C.Copper✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Silver

   Explanation: Copper was the first metal used by humans. The period utilizing copper instruments alongside stone is termed the Chalcolithic Age.

7. Q7.Where were Chalcolithic settlements primarily found in India?

   • A.North-East India only
   • B.South-East Rajasthan, Western M.P., Western Maharashtra✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Kashmir only
   • D.Punjab only

   Explanation: The text maps the Chalcolithic settlements to South-East Rajasthan, Western Madhya Pradesh, Western Maharashtra, and South-East India.

8. Q8.Which Chalcolithic site revealed evidence of both round and rectangular residential structures?

   • A.Daimabad
   • B.Navdatoli✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Inamgaon
   • D.Nevasa

   Explanation: Navdatoli, located near Indore, revealed excellent evidence of both round and rectangular residential structures.

9. Q9.Who excavated the site of Navdatoli?

   • A.B.B. Lal
   • B.V.S. Wakankar
   • C.H.D. Sankalia✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Mortimer Wheeler

   Explanation: The excavation at Navdatoli was conducted by H.D. Sankalia, a professor at Deccan College, Pune.

10. Q10.In which state is Navdatoli located?

    • A.Gujarat
    • B.Maharashtra
    • C.Madhya Pradesh✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Rajasthan

    Explanation: Navdatoli is situated in Madhya Pradesh.

11. Q11.What materials were used for the roofs of Chalcolithic huts at Navdatoli?

    • A.Tiles
    • B.Hay, tree branches, and leaves✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Stone slabs
    • D.Burnt bricks

    Explanation: The roofs were made of hay, branches, and leaves, supported on massive wooden posts.

12. Q12.What is the main distinguishing feature of Ochre-Coloured Pottery (OCP)?

    • A.Black painting
    • B.Glossy finish
    • C.Ochre colour and porous character✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Geometric designs in blue

    Explanation: OCP is named for its ochre colour. It is also characterized by being porous and having edges that are invariably worn out.

13. Q13.Who christened the term 'Ochre-Coloured Pottery' (OCP)?

    • A.H.D. Sankalia
    • B.B.B. Lal✓ Correct Answer
    • C.A. Cunningham
    • D.John Marshall

    Explanation: The discovery and naming of OCP was done by B.B. Lal in 1951 at Hastinapur.

14. Q14.Which two sites are the main sources of OCP evidence?

    • A.Lothal and Kalibangan
    • B.Atranjikhera and Hastinapur✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Harappa and Mohenjodaro
    • D.Ropar and Banawali

    Explanation: The text identifies Atranjikhera and Hastinapur as the sites yielding the most evidence of OCP.

15. Q15.Which culture is associated with the Ahar civilization?

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

    Explanation: Ahar civilization belongs to the Chalcolithic period and flourished in the Mewar region of Rajasthan.

16. Q16.Did the natives of Ahar know copper smelting?

    • A.No
    • B.Yes✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Only iron smelting
    • D.Only gold smelting

    Explanation: The text confirms that 'The natives of Ahar knew copper smelting'.

17. Q17.What type of pottery is found at Ahar?

    • A.Painted Grey Ware
    • B.Northern Black Polished Ware
    • C.Black-Red coloured pottery with white geometrical designs✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Plain Red Ware

    Explanation: Excavations at Ahar yielded Black-Red coloured pottery on which white geometrical designs were carved.

18. Q18.What was the burial orientation for adults in the Jorwe culture?

    • A.East to West
    • B.West to East
    • C.Supine position with head towards the north✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Prone position with head towards the south

    Explanation: In the Jorwe culture (Western Maharashtra), adults were buried in a supine position with the head oriented towards the north.

19. Q19.How were children buried in the Jorwe culture?

    • A.In baskets
    • B.In wooden coffins
    • C.In two urns joined mouth-to-mouth✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Directly in the soil

    Explanation: Children were buried in two urns that were joined mouth-to-mouth and set horizontally in the pit.

20. Q20.Where were the dead buried in the Jorwe culture?

    • A.In separate cemeteries outside the village
    • B.Inside the houses under the floor✓ Correct Answer
    • C.In river beds
    • D.In caves

    Explanation: The people believed in life after death and therefore buried the dead inside the houses under the floor.