20 questionswith explanationsfor RAS, Patwari, VDO and other Rajasthan exams
The Harappan site of Kalibangan is situated on the bank of which river?
Answer: (1) Ghaggar (ancient Saraswati)
Explanation
Kalibangan in Hanumangarh district lies on the left bank of the Ghaggar, identified with the ancient Saraswati.
The Ahar (Aahad) civilisation site is located near which city?
Answer: (2) Udaipur
Explanation
Ahar is a Chalcolithic site on the Ahar (Ayad) river, a tributary of the Berach, on the outskirts of Udaipur city.
The word 'Kalibangan' literally means:
Answer: (3) Black bangles
Explanation
Kalibangan gets its name from the large number of black bangle fragments found on its mounds.
Viratnagar (Bairath) was the capital of which ancient Mahajanapada?
Answer: (4) Matsya
Explanation
Viratnagar (Bairath) in the Jaipur region was the capital of the Matsya Mahajanapada.
Which site is known as the 'mother of the Copper Age cultures' of India?
Answer: (1) Ganeshwar
Explanation
Ganeshwar, on the Kantli river, yielded a huge quantity of copper objects and is called the mother of Copper Age cultures.
Kalibangan was excavated during 1961–69 under the direction of:
Answer: (2) B.B. Lal and B.K. Thapar
Explanation
The systematic excavation of Kalibangan (1961–69) was carried out by B.B. Lal and B.K. Thapar.
Evidence of a ploughed (furrowed) field has been found at which site in Rajasthan?
Answer: (3) Kalibangan
Explanation
A ploughed field with criss-cross furrows was discovered in the pre-Harappan levels of Kalibangan.
What was the ancient name of Ahar?
Answer: (4) Tambavati
Explanation
Owing to its copper-based culture, Ahar was anciently known as Tambavati (Tamravati) Nagari.
Ashoka's Bhabru inscription was found at which place in Rajasthan?
Answer: (1) Bairath
Explanation
The Bhabru edict of Ashoka was discovered at Bairath (Viratnagar) and shows Ashoka's faith in Buddhism.
The Mesolithic site of Bagor (Bhilwara) is situated on the bank of which river?
Answer: (2) Kothari
Explanation
Bagor lies on the Kothari river and has yielded some of the earliest evidence of animal domestication in India.
The Chalcolithic site of Gilund is situated on the bank of which river?
Answer: (3) Banas
Explanation
Gilund, a site of the Ahar-Banas culture in Rajsamand district, lies on the Banas river.
The excavation of Rangmahal (Hanumangarh) was carried out by a Swedish expedition led by:
Answer: (4) Hanna Rydh
Explanation
Rangmahal was excavated in 1952–54 by a Swedish expedition under Dr. Hanna Rydh.
The Copper Age site of Ganeshwar developed on the bank of which river?
Answer: (1) Kantli
Explanation
Ganeshwar grew up near the source of the Kantli river. Its copper arrowheads, fish hooks and axes suggest it may have supplied copper to Harappan sites.
A human skeleton about 4,000 years old showing signs of leprosy, regarded as the oldest such evidence in India, was found at which site in Rajasthan?
Answer: (2) Balathal
Explanation
Balathal in Vallabhnagar tehsil of Udaipur was excavated from 1993 under V.N. Misra. It yielded a c. 4,000-year-old skeleton with leprosy, the oldest such evidence in India.
The mound of the Ahar civilisation near Udaipur is locally known as:
Answer: (3) Dhulkot
Explanation
The Ahar mound on the Ayad river is locally called Dhulkot. In ancient times Ahar was known as Tambavati.
The Chalcolithic Ahar culture of south-east Rajasthan is also known as:
Answer: (4) Banas culture
Explanation
Its sites, such as Ahar, Gilund, Balathal and Ojiyana, lie in the Banas basin, so it is also called the Banas culture. It is known for black-and-red ware pottery.
Who identified Kalibangan as a Harappan site in 1952?
Answer: (1) Amalanand Ghosh
Explanation
Amalanand Ghosh identified Kalibangan as Harappan in 1952. It was later excavated by B.B. Lal and B.K. Thapar between 1961 and 1969.
Consider the following statements about Kalibangan: 1. Fire altars have been found here. 2. It is situated in Hanumangarh district. 3. It was excavated by a Swedish expedition led by Hanna Rydh. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (2) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
Kalibangan (Hanumangarh) has yielded fire altars. The Swedish expedition under Hanna Rydh excavated Rangmahal, not Kalibangan.
What was the ancient name of Nagari, near Chittorgarh?
Answer: (3) Madhyamika
Explanation
Nagari on the Berach river was ancient Madhyamika. Coins of the Shibi janapada inscribed 'Majhimikaya Shibijanapadasa' have been found here.
The Ghosundi inscription of Chittorgarh provides the earliest epigraphic evidence in Rajasthan of which religious tradition?
Answer: (4) Bhagavata (Vaishnava) cult
Explanation
The Ghosundi inscription (c. 2nd–1st century BCE) records worship of Sankarshana and Vasudeva. It also mentions an Ashvamedha performed by King Sarvatata.