Prehistory And Proto History Of India

Burzahom, near Srinagar, is a prominent Neolithic site that features evidence of pit dwellings, tools, and early agriculture, highlighting the development of prehistoric settlements in Kashmir.

The correct matching is:
- (A) The dancing girl - (III) Mohenjodaro
- (B) Terracotta plough - (IV) Banawali
- (C) In Harappan culture, the horse remains are reported from here - (I) Surkotada
- (D) The ploughed fields are found at - (II) Kalibanga
Thus, the correct answer is Option 4.

Baghor I in Madhya Pradesh revealed an Upper Palaeolithic shrine with artifacts dated to 9000–8000 BCE. The shrine is an important indication of symbolic and ritualistic behavior in prehistoric India.

Atranjikhera, a site of Painted Grey Ware culture, is located on the banks of the Kali River. It provides crucial insights into the transition from the Chalcolithic to the Iron Age in northern India.

Christian Thomsen and P.F. Suhm introduced the three-age system to classify prehistoric tools into Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages. This framework became fundamental in archaeological studies, helping to establish a chronological understanding of technological evolution in human history.

The Cenozoic era, often called the ”age of mammals,” encompasses the Tertiary and Quaternary periods. These periods are characterized by the diversification of mammals and the rise of modern ecosystems. The Tertiary saw mammals becoming dominant, while the Quaternary included the development of humans and their environments.

Robert Bruce Foote, known as the ”Father of Indian Prehistory,” discovered the first palaeolithic tool, a handaxe, at Pallavaram near Madras in 1863. This marked the beginning of systematic prehistoric studies in India. The handaxe, an iconic tool of the Lower Paleolithic period, was used for chopping and cutting by early humans.

Sanauli, located in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, was excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India and is dated to 2200–1800 BCE. The cemetery revealed burial goods, including copper objects, pottery, and other artifacts, indicating a sophisticated material culture.

The correct sequence is
(B) The earliest coins,
(C) Indo-Greek coins,
(D) Post-Gupta coins,
(A) British transfer of coins.
This reflects the historical development of coinage, starting with symbolic coins, Indo-Greek influences, decline in the post-Gupta period, and eventual British acquisitions.