Which is the earliest period of human history?
a) Medieval Period
b) Ancient Period
c) Prehistoric Period ✅
d) Modern Period Explanation: The prehistoric period refers to the time before written records.
Which material was primarily used in the Stone Age?
a) Bronze
b) Iron
c) Stone ✅
d) Copper Explanation: Tools and weapons in this period were made of stone.
What is the earliest subdivision of the Stone Age?
a) Neolithic
b) Mesolithic
c) Paleolithic ✅
d) Chalcolithic Explanation: The Paleolithic Age is the Old Stone Age, the earliest phase.
The term ‘Neolithic’ means:
a) New Iron
b) New Stone ✅
c) Old Stone
d) Bronze Explanation: ‘Neo’ means new, and ‘lithic’ means stone.
What was the main occupation of Paleolithic people?
a) Farming
b) Herding
c) Hunting and gathering ✅
d) Pottery making Explanation: They survived by hunting animals and gathering plants.
Which period saw the beginning of agriculture?
a) Paleolithic
b) Mesolithic
c) Neolithic ✅
d) Chalcolithic Explanation: Farming began during the New Stone Age.
Which animal was first domesticated by Neolithic people?
a) Horse
b) Cat
c) Dog ✅
d) Elephant Explanation: Dogs were likely the first animals to be domesticated.
What is the main source of information about prehistoric humans?
a) Written records
b) Coins
c) Archaeological remains ✅
d) Literature Explanation: Tools, bones, and cave paintings tell us about prehistory.
Cave paintings were mainly done during which age?
a) Iron Age
b) Neolithic
c) Paleolithic ✅
d) Bronze Age Explanation: Paleolithic people expressed themselves through cave art.
Mesolithic tools were mostly made of:
a) Bronze
b) Iron
c) Microliths ✅
d) Wood Explanation: Microliths are small stone tools used during this period.
The term ‘microlith’ refers to:
a) Large stone
b) Metal blade
c) Small flint tools ✅
d) Pottery Explanation: Microliths were tiny stone tools in Mesolithic culture.
Which metal was first used by humans?
a) Iron
b) Bronze
c) Copper ✅
d) Gold Explanation: Copper was the first metal used, marking the Chalcolithic Age.
The use of pottery began in which age?
a) Paleolithic
b) Neolithic ✅
c) Mesolithic
d) Iron Age Explanation: Neolithic people started making handmade pottery.
Fire was first discovered during which period?
a) Mesolithic
b) Neolithic
c) Paleolithic ✅
d) Chalcolithic Explanation: Fire was discovered and controlled during the Paleolithic Age.
Domestication of plants and animals is a feature of:
a) Paleolithic
b) Neolithic ✅
c) Mesolithic
d) Iron Age Explanation: Agriculture and domestication began in the Neolithic.
Burial of the dead was first practiced in:
a) Bronze Age
b) Mesolithic
c) Paleolithic ✅
d) Iron Age Explanation: Evidence of burial has been found from the late Paleolithic.
Stone tools in the Neolithic Age were:
a) Rough and crude
b) Made of iron
c) Polished and refined ✅
d) Wooden Explanation: Tools in this age were polished for efficiency.
The term ‘Prehistory’ means:
a) Before science
b) Before agriculture
c) Before writing ✅
d) Before stone tools Explanation: Prehistory refers to the time before written language.
Which of the following is NOT a prehistoric site?
a) Bhimbetka
b) Mehrgarh
c) Harappa ✅
d) Burzahom Explanation: Harappa is a part of the Indus Valley Civilization, which is historic.
The invention of the wheel happened during the:
a) Paleolithic
b) Mesolithic
c) Neolithic ✅
d) Iron Age Explanation: Wheels were likely developed during the Neolithic period.
🟡 MODERATE (21–40)
Which is a famous Paleolithic site in India?
a) Harappa
b) Bhimbetka ✅
c) Lothal
d) Kalibangan Explanation: Bhimbetka has ancient cave paintings and tools.
Mehrgarh is significant because it shows:
a) Paleolithic tools
b) Urban planning
c) Early farming ✅
d) Written records Explanation: Mehrgarh provides early evidence of agriculture in the subcontinent.
The Chalcolithic period is marked by the use of:
a) Only stone tools
b) Copper and stone tools ✅
c) Only iron tools
d) Gold jewelry Explanation: Chalcolithic means “copper-stone,” marking the transition period.
Burzahom is a Neolithic site located in:
a) Gujarat
b) Kashmir ✅
c) Punjab
d) Bihar Explanation: Burzahom in Kashmir shows evidence of Neolithic dwelling pits.
The period between the Paleolithic and Neolithic is called:
a) Metal Age
b) Mesolithic ✅
c) Iron Age
d) Vedic Age Explanation: The Mesolithic bridges the gap between the old and new stone ages.
The Neolithic Age began around:
a) 10,000 BCE ✅
b) 3000 BCE
c) 1500 BCE
d) 1000 CE Explanation: Agriculture and settlements began around 10,000 BCE.
Which of these was NOT used in the Stone Age?
a) Flint
b) Microlith
c) Iron ✅
d) Hand axe Explanation: Iron came much later in history.
Which site is famous for Mesolithic paintings?
a) Lothal
b) Bhimbetka ✅
c) Inamgaon
d) Dholavira Explanation: Bhimbetka caves have paintings from several prehistoric periods.
What change occurred in the Neolithic Age?
a) Use of coins
b) Written language
c) Start of agriculture ✅
d) Large armies Explanation: Farming and domestication transformed lifestyles.
Which of the following is a Chalcolithic culture?
a) Harappan
b) Ahar-Banas ✅
c) Vedic
d) Mauryan Explanation: Ahar-Banas is a Chalcolithic culture of Rajasthan.
Neolithic tools were mainly used for:
a) Hunting
b) Warfare
c) Farming ✅
d) Sailing Explanation: Polished tools were efficient for agricultural activities.
Which culture used pit dwellings?
a) Chalcolithic
b) Burzahom ✅
c) Harappan
d) Nevali Cori Explanation: Burzahom culture in Kashmir had pit houses for cold weather.
What does the word ‘Mesolithic’ mean?
a) Middle Stone ✅
b) Small Stone
c) New Age
d) Bronze Age Explanation: “Meso” means middle; it’s the Middle Stone Age.
The transition to agriculture led to:
a) More hunting
b) Permanent settlements ✅
c) Nomadic life
d) Desertification Explanation: Farming led people to settle in one place.
Which age is known for the beginning of copper tools?
a) Iron Age
b) Neolithic
c) Chalcolithic ✅
d) Mesolithic Explanation: Copper tools emerged in the Chalcolithic period.
Grinding stones found in Neolithic sites were used for:
a) Warfare
b) Writing
c) Processing food ✅
d) Decoration Explanation: They were used to grind grains into flour.
Which of the following is a Neolithic site in South India?
a) Lothal
b) Brahmagiri ✅
c) Kalibangan
d) Dholavira Explanation: Brahmagiri in Karnataka is a Neolithic site.
The first evidence of ploughing in India comes from:
a) Harappa
b) Kalibangan ✅
c) Burzahom
d) Mehrgarh Explanation: Kalibangan shows furrow marks indicating early ploughing.
Which tool type is associated with the Mesolithic Age?
a) Polished axe
b) Microliths ✅
c) Copper plough
d) Iron sword Explanation: Small microlithic tools are characteristic of this age.
Which of the following is common in Neolithic architecture?
a) Pyramids
b) Pit houses ✅
c) High-rise towers
d) Stone pillars Explanation: Pit dwellings provided insulation from cold.
🔴 HARD (41–50)
Which site shows a transition from hunting to herding?
a) Bhimbetka
b) Mehrgarh ✅
c) Lothal
d) Mohenjo-daro Explanation: Mehrgarh has evidence of early farming and herding.
Tools from the Paleolithic period were mainly made by:
a) Casting
b) Chipping ✅
c) Molding
d) Forging Explanation: Stones were chipped to create sharp tools.
Evidence of domesticated wheat and barley was first found at:
a) Harappa
b) Mehrgarh ✅
c) Inamgaon
d) Brahmagiri Explanation: Early agriculture in Mehrgarh included cereals.
Which culture is associated with copper hoards?
a) Mesolithic
b) Chalcolithic ✅
c) Neolithic
d) Harappan Explanation: Chalcolithic cultures left behind copper hoards.
The Neolithic site of Chirand is located in:
a) Bihar ✅
b) Gujarat
c) Rajasthan
d) Madhya Pradesh Explanation: Chirand is an important Neolithic site on the Ganges plain.
Which prehistoric site provides evidence of rice cultivation?
a) Brahmagiri
b) Inamgaon
c) Koldihwa ✅
d) Bhimbetka Explanation: Koldihwa in Uttar Pradesh has the earliest rice evidence.
What is a distinguishing feature of the Mesolithic period?
a) Use of iron
b) Use of microliths ✅
c) Written language
d) Urban cities Explanation: Microliths are unique to this transitional era.
The domestication of cattle started during:
a) Paleolithic
b) Mesolithic
c) Neolithic ✅
d) Iron Age Explanation: Neolithic people began domesticating large animals.
Evidence of early burial with grave goods indicates:
a) Cultural beliefs ✅
b) Social inequality
c) Nomadic behavior
d) Urban trade Explanation: Burial items suggest belief in afterlife or status.
Which prehistoric phase lasted the longest?
a) Neolithic
b) Chalcolithic
c) Paleolithic ✅
d) Mesolithic Explanation: The Paleolithic period lasted for millions of years.