Ancient India

Front

The stone age in Indian history is believed to have lasted from approximately?

Back

2 lakh BC to 2.5 thousand BC

Answer explanation

Historical Basis for the Explanation

The timeline "2 lakh BC to 2500 BC" for the Stone Age in India is based on archaeological and anthropological evidence.

📜 Breakdown by Phase:

1. Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age)

   • Timeframe: ~2,00,000 BC to ~10,000 BC

   • Evidence: Stone tools from sites like Bori (Maharashtra), Attirampakkam (Tamil Nadu), and Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh).

   • Early humans lived in caves and relied on hunting and gathering.

2. Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age)

   • Timeframe: ~10,000 BC to ~8,000 BC

   • Transitional period with microlith tools and early domestication of animals.

   • Sites: Bagor (Rajasthan), Mahadaha (U.P.)

3. Neolithic Age (New Stone Age)

   • Timeframe: ~7000 BC to ~2500 BC

   • Start of agriculture, settled life, pottery, and polished tools.

   • Important sites: Mehrgarh (now in Pakistan), Burzahom (Kashmir), and Koldihwa (U.P.)

Front

which of the following metals were primarily used during the chalcolithic Age in India? Options: copper, gold and silver, tin, iron and lead, Bronze, aluminium and Nickel

Back

copper, gold and silver

Front

which of the following historians is referred to as "Father of Indian Pre-history" due to his discovery of the first Palaeolithic tool in India? Alexander cunningham, Mortimer Wheeler, H.D.Sankalia

Back

Robert Bruce Foote

Answer explanation

🧠 Explanation:

Robert Bruce Foote is celebrated as the "Father of Indian Prehistory" for a groundbreaking moment in 1863:
While working with the Geological Survey of India in Pallavaram (Tamil Nadu), he discovered a hand axe, which was later confirmed to be a Palaeolithic tool — the first of its kind found in India.

But why does this matter so much?

🔍 Before Foote's discovery, India's deep prehistoric past — especially the Stone Age — was largely unknown and uncharted. His work pushed back the timeline of Indian history by hundreds of thousands of years.

He didn’t stop there. Over his career, he surveyed hundreds of prehistoric sites, collected over 4000 artifacts, and laid the groundwork for future archaeologists like Mortimer Wheeler and H.D. Sankalia.

Front

The earliest stone tools found in India are dated to around:

Back

250,000 BC

Front

Which site provides evidence of the earliest human presence in India? Options: Lothal, Mehrgarh, Bori, Maharashtra, Kalibangan

Back

Bori, Maharashtra

Front

The appearance of early humans in India is estimated to have occurred around: 4.2 million years ago, 2 million years ago, 1.4 million years ago, 500,000 years ago

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1.4 million years ago

Front

In which continent were the earliest human fossils found, dating back to 4.2 million years ago?

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Africa

Front

The only hominid fossil found in India so far is from: Hathnaura in the Narmada Valley, Belan Valley, Uttar Pradesh, Bori in Maharashtra

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Hathnaura in the Narmada Valley

Front

Which parts of India were not heavily inhabited by Palaeolithic men? Options: Deccan plateau, Coastal regions of the south, Central Vindhya region

Back

Alluvial plains of the Indus & Ganga

Answer explanation

Because Paleolithic communities relied on rugged highlands and easily accessible stone resources, they stayed clear of fertile but frequently flooded alluvial plains—like those of the Indus and Ganga—where their trusty quartzite tools were much harder to source, and flood risks ran high. Thus, while these plains later became hotbeds of civilization, our hardy Paleolithic ancestors found richer pickings in the plateau regions.

Front

The tools that are being displayed are from which age?

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Lower palaeolithic