History · X-Factor Notes
Prehistoric and Protohistoric India revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.
16 revision facts
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Earliest evidence of rice cultivation | Reported from the Lahuradewa site in Sant Kabir Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh, dating back to around 9000-7000 BC. | |
| Earliest evidence of human activity and rice cultivation | Lahuradewa, Sant Kabir Nagar district, UP (9000-7000 BC). | |
| Earlier evidence of wheat | Mehrgarh (Balochistan, Pakistan), belonging to around 7000 BC. | |
| Earliest evidence of rice (prior research) | Near the bank of the river Belan, district Prayagraj, dating back to 6500 BC. | |
| Cultural remains (Stone Age to Harappan) | Found in Mehrgarh. | |
| Burial practices at Burzahom | Human and animal skeletons found with trepanning marks; dogs and antlered deer bones found with human skeletons; skeletons buried in a sitting position. | |
| Domestication of animals began | In the Mesolithic period. Earliest evidence found at Adamgarh and Bagor. | UPPCS (Pre) 2018 |
| Bone ornaments in Mesolithic context | Obtained from Sarai Nahar Rai and Mahadaha. | U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013 |
| Ash mounds | Found from Neolithic sites like Sangana Kallu (Ballari district, Karnataka), Piklihal, and Utnur; they are burnt relics of seasonal camps of Neolithic herdsmen. | |
| First use of fire | Neolithic period. | |
| First metal used/Age | Copper; Copper Age is also known as the Chalcolithic Age. | |
| Chalcolithic settlements in India | Found in South-East Rajasthan, Western Madhya Pradesh, Western Maharashtra and South-East India. | |
| Chalcolithic site location | Inamgaon is a Chalcolithic site in Pune district of Maharashtra. | |
| Ochre-Coloured Pottery (OCP) | Main distinguishing feature was its ochre colour, characterized by its porous nature. | |
| Migration to the Ganga Valley | Stone age people of the Vindhyas migrated due to climatic change (Vindhyan Valley became dry) in the terminal Pleistocene period. | U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016 |
| Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) | Established in 1871 as a separate department; Alexander Cunningham was the first Director-General. Centralized in 1901 during Lord Curzon's tenure; John Marshall assumed office in 1902. Functions under the Ministry of Culture. |
