UPSC Prelims 2024 Q55: Ancient History – Ancient India
Consider the following information:
Archaeological Site - State - Description
1. Chandraketugarh - Odisha - Trading Port town
2. Inamgaon - Maharashtra - Chalcolithic site
3. Mangadu - Kerala - Megalithic site
4. Salihundam - Andhra Pradesh - Rock - cut cave shrines
In which of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 and 3
- (c) 3 and 4
- (d) 1 and 4
Answer: (b) 2 and 3
Explanation
Archaeological Sites - State and Description Matching
| Site | State Given | Correct State | Description | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chandraketugarh | Odisha | West Bengal (near Kolkata) | Trading Port town | WRONG state - it is in West Bengal, not Odisha |
| Inamgaon | Maharashtra | Maharashtra | Chalcolithic site | CORRECT - Jorwe culture (c.1400-700 BCE), Pune district |
| Mangadu | Kerala | Kerala | Megalithic site | CORRECT - megalithic burial monuments in Kerala |
| Salihundam | Andhra Pradesh | AP | Rock-cut cave shrines | WRONG description - Salihundam (Srikakulam, AP) is a Buddhist stupa site, not rock-cut cave shrines |
Correctly matched rows: 2 and 3 only
Answer: (b) 2 and 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Chandraketugarh is in West Bengal (near Chandannagar/Berachampa), not Odisha. Row 1 is incorrectly matched on the state.
- (b) CORRECT. Inamgaon (Maharashtra, Chalcolithic/Jorwe culture) and Mangadu (Kerala, Megalithic) are both correctly matched. Rows 2 and 3 are accurate.
- (c) Incorrect. Salihundam in Andhra Pradesh is a Buddhist stupa and monastery site (near Srikakulam), not primarily known for rock-cut cave shrines. Row 4 is incorrectly matched on the description.
- (d) Incorrect. Both rows 1 and 4 have errors - Chandraketugarh is in West Bengal (not Odisha), and Salihundam is a Buddhist stupa site (not rock-cut cave shrines).
Key point
Inamgaon (Maharashtra) = Chalcolithic/Jorwe culture. Mangadu (Kerala) = Megalithic site. Chandraketugarh is in West Bengal (not Odisha). Salihundam (AP) = Buddhist stupa site, not rock-cut caves.
Remember
Inamgaon (Maharashtra) is a Chalcolithic site. Mangadu (Kerala) is a Megalithic site. Chandraketugarh is in West Bengal, not Odisha.
Common mistakes
- Placing Chandraketugarh in Odisha - it is in West Bengal (north 24 Parganas district), near the ancient trade route from the Ganga delta.
- Confusing Salihundam with Ajanta-type cave sites - Salihundam has Buddhist stupas and votive monuments, not primarily rock-cut cave shrines.
- Not knowing Inamgaon - it is a key Chalcolithic site under the Jorwe culture (1400-700 BCE), located in the Bhima river valley, Pune district.
Exam tip
For site-matching questions: verify BOTH the state AND the description. Chandraketugarh = West Bengal (not Odisha). Inamgaon = Chalcolithic in Maharashtra. Megalithic sites are concentrated in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Sources
- NCERT Class 6 History - Our Pasts I (Prehistoric and Early Historic Sites)
- Archaeological Survey of India - Site Reports