Paper I — Q1
Identify the following places marked on the map supplied to you and write a short note of about 30 words on each of them in your…
Identify the following places marked on the map supplied to you and write a short note of about 30 words on each of them in your Question-cum-Answer Booklet. Locational hints for each of the places marked on the map are given below seriatim: Neolithic site
Mesolithic site
Paleolithic site
Neolithic site with stone artefacts
Site of Indus Valley Civilization
Early Harappan site with a fire-pit
Late Harappan site
The Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP) site
Mesolithic site
Megalithic site (xi) Mahajanapada of South India (xii) Site of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana (xiii) Major Rock Edict of Asoka (xiv) Asokan Minor Rock Edict (xv) Commercial centre of the Mauryas (xvi) Saka-Kushan coin hoard (xvii) An inscription mentioning Ashvamedha Sacrifice (xviii) Site of Post-Mauryan period burnt brick house (xix) Terracotta craft centre of Post-Mauryan period (xx) Important port of the Pallava period
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
आपको दिए गए मानचित्र पर अंकित निम्नलिखित स्थानों की पहचान कीजिए एवं अपनी प्रश्न-सह-उत्तर पुस्तिका में उनमें से प्रत्येक पर लगभग 30 शब्दों की संक्षिप्त टिप्पणी लिखिए। मानचित्र पर अंकित प्रत्येक स्थान के लिए स्थान-निर्धारण संकेत क्रमानुसार नीचे दिए गए हैं: नवपाषाणिक स्थल
मध्यपाषाणिक स्थल
पुरापाषाणिक स्थल
प्रस्तर कलाकृति युक्त नवपाषाणिक स्थल
सिंधु घाटी सभ्यता स्थल
अग्निकुण्ड युक्त प्रारंभिक हड़प्पीय स्थल
उत्तर हड़प्पीय स्थल
गेहुँ रंग के मृद्भांड (OCP) स्थल
मध्यपाषाणिक स्थल
महापाषाणिक स्थल (xi) दक्षिण भारत का महाजनपद (xii) बुद्ध का महापरिनिर्वाण स्थल (xiii) अशोक का प्रमुख शिलालेख (xiv) अशोक का लघु शिलालेख (xv) मौर्यों का व्यापारिक केन्द्र (xvi) शक-कुषाण सिक्कों का ज़खीरा (xvii) अश्वमेध यज्ञ वर्णित एक अभिलेख (xviii) मौयेंतर कालीन पकी ईंटों का गृह स्थल (xix) मौयेंतर कालीन टेराकोटा शिल्प केन्द्र (xx) पल्लवकालीन महत्वपूर्ण बन्दरगाह
The figure this question refers to, in words
The question paper is a scan and the diagram did not survive as text. This is the figure as read from the original page — every component, value and label — so the question can be worked from the text below.
A political map of the Indian subcontinent showing the outline of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and parts of Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. The map is overlaid with a grid of latitude and longitude lines. Longitude lines are marked at the top and bottom edges at 60° E, 70°, 80°, 90°, and 100° E. Latitude lines are marked on the left and right edges at 10° N, 20° N, and 30° N. Twenty locations are marked on the map with small circles containing Roman numerals from (i) to (xx). The approximate locations are: (i) in the northern Himalayan region; (ii) in the northwestern plains; (iii) on the western coast of peninsular India; (iv) in central India; (v) on the western coast near the Gulf of Khambhat; (vi), (vii), and (viii) clustered in the northern plains; (ix) in southern peninsular India; (x) and (xi) in central India; (xii) in the northern plains; (xiii) on the eastern coast; (xiv) in the northeastern region; (xv) and (xix) in the northeastern region; (xvi) in the northwestern region; (xvii) in the northern plains; (xviii) in the northern Himalayan region; (xx) on the eastern coast. A scale bar is located at the bottom center, labeled 'Scale 1:20,000,000' with a distance scale in kilometers ranging from 0 to 500 km.
Model answer
Drafted with AI by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 30-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key. How we build rubrics and answers.
(i) Kiari (Ladakh)
Kiari lies in the upper Indus valley of eastern Ladakh. With Giak, it is one of the few Neolithic sites of Ladakh. It shows that farming and herding communities settled the cold, high-altitude trans-Himalayan desert.
(ii) Bagor (Bhilwara district, Rajasthan)
A sand-dune settlement on the Kothari river excavated by V. N. Misra (1968–70), one of the best-documented Mesolithic sites of India. Its earliest phase has geometric microliths and bones of domesticated sheep and goat, and later phases have copper and then iron. It shows the shift from hunting to pastoralism.
(iii) Lakhmapur (Kaladgi basin, north Karnataka)
The marker lies in north-western Karnataka, and the Palaeolithic locality usually identified here is Lakhmapur in the Kaladgi basin (Malaprabha–Ghataprabha region). It has Late Acheulian and Middle Palaeolithic artefacts. It is cited as a place where prepared-core (Middle Palaeolithic) technology grew out of the Late Acheulian, and it forms part of an extensive landscape where early humans quarried stone for tools. The adjacent Hunsgi–Baichbal valley is the other classic Acheulian landscape of this belt, so the identification is best treated as this Kaladgi–Hunsgi Palaeolithic region.
(iv) Koldihwa (Belan valley, Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh)
A Neolithic site excavated by G. R. Sharma of Allahabad University. It yielded polished stone celts, microliths and cord-marked pottery. Rice husk impressions embedded in the pottery are among the early evidence of rice cultivation in the Vindhyan–Ganga region.
(v) Rojdi (Rajkot district, Gujarat)
A Harappan settlement on the Bhadar river in Saurashtra. It belongs to the regional Sorath Harappan tradition, with a stone fortification wall, graffiti bearing Indus signs, and evidence of millet cultivation.
(vi) Rakhigarhi (Hisar district, Haryana)
One of the largest Harappan sites, spread over several mounds with an Early Harappan (Hakra-Sothi) base. Its excavations revealed circular fire altars and pits with animal bones, suggesting ritual practice, as well as planned streets, drains, seals and cemeteries.
(vii) Alamgirpur (Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh)
A site on the Hindon, excavated by Y. D. Sharma in 1958. It is the easternmost Harappan site, belonging to the Late Harappan phase, with Harappan pottery, terracotta objects and beads.
(viii) Lal Qila / Hastinapur (upper Ganga–Yamuna doab, Uttar Pradesh)
The marker lies in the upper doab just south of Alamgirpur, the heartland of the OCP culture. By position it most likely denotes Lal Qila (Bulandshahr district), a habitational OCP site excavated by R. C. Gaur. Hastinapur (Meerut district) is the other site usually named here. B. B. Lal's excavation there (1950–52) found OCP in Period I, below Painted Grey Ware.
(ix) Tenmalai (Kollam district, Kerala)
A rock shelter in the Western Ghats, near the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border. It yielded a Late Mesolithic stone-tool industry with a radiocarbon date of about 5,200 years before present. It is rare evidence of Mesolithic foragers in the forested hills of Kerala.
(x) Junapani (Nagpur district, Maharashtra)
A megalithic site in Vidarbha with a large cluster of stone-circle burials. Excavated graves yielded iron implements, Black-and-Red Ware and other grave goods. It is a key site of the Iron Age megalithic culture of central India.
(xi) Asmaka (Godavari valley)
The only mahajanapada south of the Vindhyas, listed in the Anguttara Nikaya. It lay on the Godavari, and its capital Potana (Potali) is generally identified with Bodhan in Telangana.
(xii) Kushinagar (Kushinagar district, Uttar Pradesh)
Ancient Kusinara of the Mallas, where the Buddha attained mahaparinirvana. It has the Mahaparinirvana temple with a large reclining Buddha image of the Gupta period, and the Ramabhar stupa, which marks the cremation spot.
(xiii) Erragudi (Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh)
A rare southern site with the full series of Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts, together with a Minor Rock Edict. Some lines are written in alternate directions (boustrophedon). It shows the southern reach of Mauryan administration and dhamma propaganda.
(xiv) Sasaram (Rohtas district, Bihar)
The marker lies in south Bihar, and the Asokan Minor Rock Edict of this region is at Sasaram. There, a cave-rock on the Chandan Shahid hill bears Ashoka's Minor Rock Edict I. In it Ashoka speaks of his growing zeal for dhamma after becoming an upasaka and of time spent on tour ("256 nights"). Another copy was later found at Ratanpurwa in the nearby Kaimur hills.
(xv) Tamralipti (Tamluk, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal)
The chief port of eastern India on the Rupnarayan, near the Ganga delta. Under the Mauryas it linked the Magadhan heartland with Kalinga, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Faxian sailed from here to Sri Lanka, and Xuanzang later described it as a flourishing emporium.
(xvi) Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh)
Ujjayini, capital of Avanti, lay on the trade route from Mathura to Bharuch. In the post-Mauryan centuries it was the seat of the Western Kshatrapas (Sakas) such as Chashtana and Rudradaman. Finds of Saka (Kshatrapa) and Kushan coins from the region show its commercial importance.
(xvii) Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh)
The Ayodhya stone inscription of Dhanadeva, a king of Kosala, describes Pushyamitra Shunga as the performer of two Ashvamedha sacrifices. It is the key epigraphic evidence of the Brahmanical revival and Vedic royal ritual under the Shungas.
(xviii) Sanghol (Punjab)
A multi-period mound with Harappan to Kushan occupation. The post-Mauryan (Shunga–Kushan) levels revealed burnt-brick structures, a Buddhist stupa and monastery, and a hoard of Kushan-period Mathura-school railing sculptures.
(xix) Chandraketugarh (North 24 Parganas, West Bengal)
An urban site on the Vidyadhari famous for its moulded terracotta plaques of the Shunga–Kushan period. The plaques depict yakshis, mithuna couples, animals and boats. It was a major craft and trading centre of the lower Bengal delta.
(xx) Mamallapuram (Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu)
The principal port of the Pallavas, named after Narasimhavarman I Mamalla. Its rock-cut rathas, the "Descent of the Ganga" relief and Rajasimha's structural Shore Temple form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The port linked the Pallavas with Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.
How this answer will be evaluated
Framework: UPSC History Paper 1 Map Identification
What earns full marks: Accurate identification, correct period/culture, and a specific, relevant point of significance in ~30 words.
Evaluation rubric
Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.
- (i) Identify the Neolithic site and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Kiari (Ladakh) — Neolithic site of the upper Indus valley; trans-Himalayan settlement
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (ii) Identify the Mesolithic site and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Bagor (Bhilwara, Rajasthan) — Mesolithic sand-dune settlement on the Kothari; V.N. Misra (1968–70); geometric microliths; domesticated sheep/goat; later copper then iron
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (iii) Identify the Paleolithic site and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- North Karnataka (Kaladgi basin; Malaprabha–Ghataprabha) — Late Acheulian to Middle Palaeolithic; Lakhmapur locality; Hunsgi–Baichbal valley noted as adjacent classic Acheulian landscape
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (iv) Identify the Neolithic site with stone artefacts and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Koldihwa (Belan valley, Prayagraj, UP) — Neolithic with polished celts, microliths, cord-marked pottery and rice-husk impressions
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (v) Identify the Indus Valley Civilization site and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Rojdi (Rajkot, Gujarat) — Sorath Harappan settlement on the Bhadar; stone fortification, Indus graffiti, millets
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (vi) Identify the Early Harappan site with a fire-pit and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Rakhigarhi (Hisar, Haryana) — largest Harappan site; Early Harappan (Hakra-Sothi) base; circular fire altars/pits
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (vii) Identify the Late Harappan site and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Alamgirpur (Meerut, UP) — easternmost (Late) Harappan site on the Hindon; excavated 1958 (Y.D. Sharma)
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (viii) Identify the Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP) site and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Lal Qila (Bulandshahr, UP)/Hastinapur (Meerut) — OCP site of the upper Ganga–Yamuna doab; Hastinapur Period I OCP below PGW (B.B. Lal)
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (ix) Identify the Mesolithic site and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Tenmalai (Kollam, Kerala) — Late Mesolithic rock shelter in the Western Ghats; ~5,200 BP radiocarbon date
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (x) Identify the Megalithic site and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Junapani (Nagpur, Maharashtra) — Megalithic stone-circle burials with iron implements and Black-and-Red Ware
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (xi) Identify the Mahajanapada of South India and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Asmaka/Assaka (Godavari valley) — the only mahajanapada south of the Vindhyas; capital Potana/Potali = Bodhan (Telangana)
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (xii) Identify the Site of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Kushinagar (UP) — Buddha's Mahaparinirvana; Gupta-period reclining Buddha; Ramabhar stupa
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (xiii) Identify the Major Rock Edict of Asoka and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Erragudi (Kurnool, AP) — complete Major Rock Edict series (plus Minor Rock Edict); boustrophedon lines
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (xiv) Identify the Asokan Minor Rock Edict and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Sasaram (Rohtas, Bihar) — Ashokan Minor Rock Edict I on Chandan Shahid hill; '256 nights'; Ratanpurwa copy
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (xv) Identify the Commercial centre of the Mauryas and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Tamralipti (Tamluk, West Bengal) — chief Mauryan port of eastern India; Faxian's departure; Xuanzang's description
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (xvi) Identify the Saka-Kushan coin hoard and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Ujjain (MP) — Avanti capital on the Mathura–Bharuch route; Western Kshatrapa centre (Chashtana, Rudradaman); Saka–Kushan coin finds
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (xvii) Identify the inscription mentioning Ashvamedha Sacrifice and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Ayodhya (UP) — Dhanadeva inscription recording Pushyamitra Shunga's two Ashvamedhas
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (xviii) Identify the Post-Mauryan period burnt brick house site and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Sanghol (Punjab) — multi-period mound; post-Mauryan burnt-brick structures, stupa/monastery; Kushan Mathura-school sculptures
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (xix) Identify the Terracotta craft centre of Post-Mauryan period and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Chandraketugarh (North 24 Parganas, WB) — Post-Mauryan terracotta craft centre; moulded plaques (yakhshis, mithuna, boats)
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
- (xx) Identify the Important port of the Pallava period and write a 30-word note. 2.5 marks · 30 words
write short notes— define → 3-4 key features → one example → one-line significance
Must cover
- Mamallapuram (Chengalpattu, TN) — Pallava port (Mamalla); rathas, Descent of the Ganga, Shore Temple (UNESCO)
Loses marks
- Bare name with no note
- Note ignores the locational hint
- Confusing sites of the same name in different states
Earns more
- Mentions specific artefacts or tools found
- References the excavating archaeologist or institution
Extra mark
- Cites a specific inscription or text if applicable
What "Write short notes" is asking you to do
Five or six self-contained answers, marked separately, typically 10 marks and about 150 words each. Each note must carry its own definition, its two or three defining features and a line on why it matters; a common introduction or conclusion across the notes earns nothing.
Structure that answers it
Per note: one-line definition or identification → two or three features, mechanisms or named examples → one line of significance or Indian application
Where marks are lost
Writing the first two notes at essay length and rationing the rest. Each note is marked on its own, so marks surrendered on a compressed or unattempted note cannot be won back by the long ones.
Practice this exact question
Write your answer and it is marked point by point against the model answer above — what you covered, what you missed, what you got wrong.
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