Q1. What is the defining feature of the Megalithic culture in India?
- Use of bronze tools and weapons
- Use of large stone structures for burial
- Urban cities and trade networks
- Painted pottery with geometric designs
Correct Option: 2. Use of large stone structures for burial
Explanation: The term megalith means “large stone.” The Megalithic culture is defined by its use of huge stone structures for burial purposes, such as dolmens, cists, cairns, and stone circles. These were either graves or commemorative monuments. Found mainly in peninsular India, these structures reflect burial practices, religious beliefs in afterlife, and social stratification. They do not signify urban life or bronze tools, but rather Iron Age rural societies.
Q2. Which type of megalithic burial involves large upright stones placed on the surface of the ground?
- Dolmen
- Cist
- Menhir
- Urn Burial
Correct Option: 3. Menhir
Explanation: A menhir is a large upright stone slab placed either singly or in groups, often at burial sites, and is associated with commemorative or ritual purposes. Unlike dolmens (stone chambers), cists (stone box-like graves), or urn burials (where ashes or bones are placed in pots), menhirs are above-ground markers. They are typical features of Megalithic cultures across India and even Europe.
Q3. Which megalithic site in Tamil Nadu is famous for urn burials and a rich collection of iron and bronze artifacts?
- Brahmagiri
- Adichanallur
- Junapani
- Maski
Correct Option: 2. Adichanallur
Explanation: Adichanallur, located in Tamil Nadu, is one of the most significant Megalithic sites in South India. It is particularly noted for urn burials, where remains were interred in large pottery vessels. Excavations have revealed iron weapons, bronze artifacts, and terracotta figurines, pointing to a rich material culture and advanced metallurgical knowledge. It also provides valuable insights into social differentiation and early trade.
Q4. What technological advancement during the Iron Age most directly contributed to agricultural expansion in the Gangetic plains?
- Canal irrigation
- Use of bronze sickles
- Iron ploughshares
- Domestication of horses
Correct Option: 3. Iron ploughshares
Explanation: The introduction of iron ploughshares was a game changer in early Indian agriculture. These tools allowed deeper tilling of the rich alluvial soil of the Gangetic plains, which was previously difficult to cultivate using stone or copper tools. As a result, vast tracts of land were brought under cultivation, leading to food surpluses, population growth, and the rise of cities and states—a process called the Second Urbanization.
Q5. Which major urban centre emerged during the Iron Age and became the capital of the Mauryan Empire?
- Pataliputra
- Ujjain
- Kausambi
- Hastinapur
Correct Option: 1. Pataliputra
Explanation: Pataliputra (modern-day Patna) developed into a major political, economic, and cultural hub during the Iron Age. Its strategic location at the confluence of the Ganga and Son rivers made it ideal for trade and governance. It later became the capital of the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka, and was one of the earliest examples of planned urbanization in ancient India.