UPSC Prelims 2021 Q37: Ancient History – Archaeology & Epigraphy
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 2 and 3
Explanation
Historical Sites and Their Fame
| Pair | Site | Correct Association? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Burzahom (Kashmir) | Known for | NEOLITHIC PIT DWELLINGS + bone tools + burial with dog - NOT rock-cut shrines. INCORRECT PAIR. |
| 2. Chandraketugarh (West Bengal) | Known for | TERRACOTTA ART + coins + Mauryan-Kushana era artefacts. CORRECT PAIR. |
| 3. Ganeshwar (Rajasthan) | Known for | COPPER ARTEFACTS (arrowheads, spearheads, fish-hooks); pre-Harappan Chalcolithic site. CORRECT PAIR. |
Only pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched. Answer: (d).
Burzahom is famous for Neolithic pit dwellings (subterranean houses) and a burial where a dog was buried with its master - NOT for rock-cut shrines.
Answer: (d) 2 and 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Burzahom is a Neolithic pit-dwelling site, NOT rock-cut shrines. Pair 1 is wrong.
- (b) Incorrect. Pair 1 (Burzahom) is wrongly matched.
- (c) Incorrect. Pair 2 (Chandraketugarh - Terracotta) is also correct.
- (d) CORRECT. Chandraketugarh (terracotta art) and Ganeshwar (copper artefacts) are correctly matched. Burzahom is famous for Neolithic pit dwellings, not rock-cut shrines.
Key point
Correct pairs: Chandraketugarh (Bengal) = Terracotta art; Ganeshwar (Rajasthan) = Copper artefacts (Chalcolithic). WRONG: Burzahom (Kashmir) is famous for Neolithic pit dwellings, NOT rock-cut shrines.
Remember
Correctly matched pairs are Chandraketugarh (West Bengal) - Terracotta art, and Ganeshwar (Rajasthan) - Copper artefacts (Chalcolithic). Burzahom (Kashmir) is famous for Neolithic pit dwellings, NOT rock-cut shrines. Correct answer: (d).
Common mistakes
- Confusing Burzahom (Neolithic pit dwellings) with rock-cut shrines (Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta).
- Not knowing Ganeshwar (Sikar, Rajasthan) is a Chalcolithic copper-producing site pre-dating Harappan bronze use.
- Confusing Chandraketugarh (Bengal, terracotta) with Chandragiri (AP) or other 'Chandra' sites.
Exam tip
Site-object mnemonic: Burzahom = pit dwellings + dog burial; Chandraketugarh = terracotta; Ganeshwar = copper; Inamgaon = Chalcolithic settlement; Kayatha = pre-Harappan. Learn 10-15 site-artifact pairs for prehistoric UPSC questions.
Sources
- R.S. Sharma - India's Ancient Past (Prehistoric Cultures)
- Archaeological Survey of India - Site Reports (Burzahom, Chandraketugarh, Ganeshwar)