Periodisation of Indian History MCQ: Megalithic Burials & the Founding of the ASI

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

1. Q1.Name three sites associated with the Jorwe culture.

   • A.Harappa, Lothal, Kalibangan
   • B.Daimabad, Inamgaon, Chandauli✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Mehrgarh, Koldihwa, Chirand
   • D.Bhimbetka, Adamgarh, Bagor

   Explanation: The text lists Daimabad, Inamgaon, Chandauli, and Nevasa as sites where these burial practices were found.

2. Q2.What defines a 'Megalith'?

   • A.Small stone tools
   • B.Burials made up of large stones in graveyards away from habitation✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Large palaces
   • D.Copper mines

   Explanation: Megaliths are defined as burials made up of large stones, typically located in graveyards away from the habitation area.

3. Q3.Which of the following is NOT a type of Megalithic burial mentioned in the text?

   • A.Chamber tomb
   • B.Dolmens
   • C.Stone circle (cromlech)
   • D.Brick pyramid✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The text categorizes Chamber tombs, Dolmens, Stone alignments, Stone circles (cromlech), and Pit-circles as types of Megaliths.

4. Q4.Are Megaliths typically found within habitation areas?

   • A.Yes, always
   • B.No, they are usually found away from habitation✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Only in forts
   • D.Only in temples

   Explanation: A key distinction of Megaliths is their location: 'in graveyards away from the habitation area'.

5. Q5.Which site is described as the most extensive excavated rural Chalcolithic site?

   • A.Ahar
   • B.Navdatoli✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Jorwe
   • D.Nevasa

   Explanation: Navdatoli is described as the 'most extensive excavated rural Chalcolithic site of Indian sub-continent'.

6. Q6.What is the estimated chronology for Navdatoli?

   • A.2500-2000 BC
   • B.1600 BC to 1300 BC✓ Correct Answer
   • C.1000-600 BC
   • D.500-200 BC

   Explanation: The site of Navdatoli is determined to be between 1600 BC and 1300 BC.

7. Q7.Which site in Western UP yielded a hoard of jewellery from the Harappan/Late Harappan context?

   • A.Alamgirpur
   • B.Hulas
   • C.Mandi✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Sanauli

   Explanation: Mandi, located in Muzaffarnagar district (UP), yielded a hoard of jewellery during an excavation in 2000.

8. Q8.Which river is Mandi located east of?

   • A.Ganga
   • B.Yamuna✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Hindon
   • D.Kali

   Explanation: Mandi is located to the east of the Yamuna river.

9. Q9.Who carried out the excavation at Mandi?

   • A.B.B. Lal
   • B.D.V. Sharma✓ Correct Answer
   • C.R.S. Bisht
   • D.J.P. Joshi

   Explanation: The excavation at Mandi was carried out by D.V. Sharma in 1999-2000.

10. Q10.Was Rice known to the people of Ahar?

    • A.No, unknown
    • B.Yes✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Only Wheat was known
    • D.Only Barley was known

    Explanation: The text clarifies that the statement 'Rice was unknown to them' is incorrect regarding Ahar culture, implying that rice was known.

11. Q11.When was the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) established as a separate department?

    • A.1861
    • B.1871✓ Correct Answer
    • C.1901
    • D.1947

    Explanation: The ASI was established as a separate department in 1871.

12. Q12.Who was the first Director-General of the ASI?

    • A.John Marshall
    • B.Alexander Cunningham✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Mortimer Wheeler
    • D.James Prinsep

    Explanation: Alexander Cunningham was appointed as the first Director-General of the ASI in 1871.

13. Q13.Under whose tenure was the ASI centralized?

    • A.Lord Canning
    • B.Lord Curzon✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Lord Mountbatten
    • D.Lord Dalhousie

    Explanation: In 1901, during the tenure of Lord Curzon, the ASI was centralized as the Archaeological Survey of India.

14. Q14.Who was appointed as the first Director-General of the centralized ASI in 1902?

    • A.Alexander Cunningham
    • B.John Marshall✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Daya Ram Sahni
    • D.R.D. Banerji

    Explanation: John Marshall was appointed in 1902 as the first Director-General of the centralized ASI.

15. Q15.Where is the National Human Museum located?

    • A.New Delhi
    • B.Kolkata
    • C.Bhopal (M.P.)✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Mumbai

    Explanation: The National Human Museum is located in Bhopal.

16. Q16.What is the renamed title of the National Human Museum?

    • A.Rajiv Gandhi National Human Museum
    • B.Indira Gandhi National Human Museum✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Nehru Museum
    • D.National Museum of Mankind

    Explanation: The museum was renamed as the Indira Gandhi National Human Museum.

17. Q17.Under which ministry does the ASI function?

    • A.Ministry of Tourism
    • B.Ministry of Culture✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ministry of Education
    • D.Ministry of Human Resource Development

    Explanation: The ASI is a premier organization under the Ministry of Culture.

18. Q18.Who is considered the 'Father of Indian Pre-history'?

    • A.Alexander Cunningham
    • B.Robert Bruce Foote✓ Correct Answer
    • C.H.D. Sankalia
    • D.V.S. Wakankar

    Explanation: Robert Bruce Foote is considered the father of Indian pre-history due to his pioneering discovery of the first Paleolithic tool.

19. Q19.Who classified the museum objects in Copenhagen into Stone, Bronze, and Iron ages?

    • A.Robert Bruce Foote
    • B.Christian Jurgensen Thomsen✓ Correct Answer
    • C.John Marshall
    • D.Mortimer Wheeler

    Explanation: Thomsen classified the objects of the Copenhagen museum in 1836 into the three-age system.

20. Q20.Where is the site Dadheri located and what culture is it associated with?

    • A.Haryana; Harappan
    • B.Punjab; Painted Grey Ware (PGW)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.UP; OCP
    • D.Rajasthan; Ahar

    Explanation: Dadheri is a pre-historic site in Ludhiana known for its Painted Grey Ware culture, which is supposed to be associated with the arrival of the Aryans.