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:
(i) Neol

Question

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:
(i) Neolithic site
(ii) Mesolithic site
(iii) Paleolithic site
(iv) Neolithic site with stone artefacts
(v) Site of Indus Valley Civilization
(vi) Early Harappan site with a fire-pit
(vii) Late Harappan site
(viii) The Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP) site
(ix) Mesolithic site
(x) 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

UPSC Answer Check · Accepted Answer

i. Located in the northern Himalayan region, approximately 30° N, 78° E. This is a Neolithic site, likely Bagor or a similar early agricultural settlement in the upper Gangetic valley. It signifies the transition from hunting-gathering to settled farming, marking the beginning of the Neolithic Revolution in the Indian subcontinent, characterized by polished stone tools and early domestication of animals.

ii. Situated in the northwestern plains, near 27° N, 75° E. This is a Mesolithic site, such as Bagor (if not i) or Kalambo Falls equivalent in India, perhaps Sangli or Bhimbetka (though Bhimbetka is central). Given the "northwestern" hint, this likely refers to Kalambo or a site in the Kutch region like Dhordo. It represents the Middle Stone Age, showing a shift towards microliths and the first evidence of animal domestication and pottery use.

iii. Found on the western coast of peninsular India, around 15° N, 74° E. This is a Paleolithic site, likely Attirampakkam or Belan Valley (though Belan is central). More accurately for the west coast, it could be Kurnool (though that's south). Let's assume Attirampakkam in Tamil Nadu or a site in Maharashtra like Inamgaon (Neolithic). Wait, the hint says Paleolithic. Attirampakkam is a key Paleolithic site in Tamil Nadu. It provides crucial evidence of early human habitation, tool-making technology, and environmental changes during the Pleistocene epoch in the southern peninsula.

iv. Located in central India, approximately 23° N, 78° E. This is a Neolithic site with stone artefacts, likely Inamgaon in Maharashtra. It is significant for its well-preserved Neolithic and Chalcolithic layers, providing insights into early agricultural practices, pottery styles, and social organization, serving as a bridge between the Stone and Bronze Ages in the Deccan plateau.

v. Positioned on the western coast near the Gulf of Khambhat, around 23° N, 72° E. This is a site of the Indus Valley Civilization, specifically Lothal. It is renowned for its well-preserved dockyard, the earliest known in the world, indicating advanced maritime trade and urban planning. It was a major commercial hub connecting the Indus Valley with Mesopotamia and other regions.

vi. Clustered in the northern plains, near 27° N, 75° E. This is an Early Harappan site with a fire-pit, likely Kalibangan. The note must clarify that while Kalibangan is famous for its Mature Harappan fire altars, the Early Harappan phase is distinct. However, the prompt specifies "Early Harappan site with a fire-pit." Rakhigarhi or Banawali might be better fits, but Kalibangan is the most prominent. Let's correct the previous error: Kalibangan is primarily known for Mature Harappan fire altars. If the hint insists on Early Harappan fire-pit, it might refer to Rakhigarhi or Lothal (Early phase). Let's assume Rakhigarhi in Haryana. It is a major Early Harappan settlement showing early urban planning, drainage systems, and evidence of early fire usage in domestic contexts, predating the Mature phase.

vii. Also in the northern plains, near 27° N, 75° E. This is a Late Harappan site, likely Mohenjo-daro (though in Pakistan) or Dholavira (Gujarat). Given the "northern plains" cluster, it might be Kalibangan (Late phase) or Banawali. Let's choose Banawali in Haryana. It shows the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization, with evidence of reduced urban planning, changes in pottery, and the eventual abandonment of the site, reflecting the end of the Mature Harappan period.

viii. In the northern plains, near 27° N, 75° E. This is an Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP) site, likely Ahar in Rajasthan. It marks the transition from the Harappan to the Vedic period, characterized by a distinct pottery style and the emergence of new cultural traditions, bridging the gap between the Indus Valley and the later Vedic civilization.

ix. Located in southern peninsular India, around 12° N, 78° E. This is a Mesolithic site, likely Kurnool or Attirampakkam (if not iii). Let's assume Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. It provides evidence of the Mesolithic period in the south, with microlithic tools and rock art, indicating a shift towards a more settled lifestyle and the use of composite tools.

x. In central India, near 23° N, 78° E. This is a Megalithic site, likely Inamgaon or Ahar. Let's choose Inamgaon again if not used, or Mahurkhed. It represents the Megalithic culture, characterized by the construction of stone monuments, burial practices, and the use of iron, indicating a complex social structure and ritualistic life in the Chalcolithic period.

xi. In central India, near 23° N, 78° E. This is a Mahajanapada of South India, likely Kalinga or Panchala (though Panchala is north). Wait, Mahajanapadas are mostly in the north. Kalinga is in the east. Chedi is in central India. Let's assume Chedi in Madhya Pradesh. It was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas, a significant political entity in the 6th century BCE, known for its strategic location and role in the political landscape of ancient India.

xii. In the northern plains, near 25° N, 83° E. This is the site of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana, Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the four most sacred sites in Buddhism, where the Buddha attained final nirvana. It is a major pilgrimage destination, symbolizing the end of the Buddha's earthly life and the beginning of the Dharma's spread.

xiii. On the eastern coast, near 18° N, 83° E. This is a Major Rock Edict of Asoka, likely Rajagriha (though in Bihar) or Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh). Wait, eastern coast? Kalinga (Odisha) has rock edicts. Let's assume Kalinga in Odisha. It records Asoka's conquest of Kalinga and his subsequent renunciation of violence, promoting Dhamma. It is a crucial source for understanding Asoka's policy and the impact of the Kalinga war on his reign.

xiv. In the northeastern region, near 26° N, 92° E. This is an Asokan Minor Rock Edict, likely Nahargarh or a site in Assam. It is a minor edict recording the spread of Asoka's Dhamma to the northeastern regions, indicating the extent of the Mauryan Empire's influence and the dissemination of Buddhist teachings in these areas.

xv. In the northeastern region, near 26° N, 92° E. This is a commercial centre of the Mauryas, likely Tamralipti (though in West Bengal) or Gauda. Let's assume Gauda in West Bengal. It was a major port and commercial hub during the Mauryan period, facilitating trade with Southeast Asia and the Roman Empire, highlighting the economic significance of the eastern coast in ancient India.

xvi. In the northwestern region, near 30° N, 72° E. This is a Saka-Kushan coin hoard, likely Taxila or Peshawar. Let's assume Taxila in Pakistan. It provides evidence of the Saka-Kushan period, with coins depicting local deities and rulers, indicating the cultural and economic exchanges between the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia during this era.

xvii. In the northern plains, near 27° N, 75° E. This is an inscription mentioning Ashvamedha Sacrifice, likely Purana Qila in Delhi or Sarnath. Let's assume Purana Qila in Delhi. It records the Ashvamedha sacrifice performed by a king, indicating the ritualistic and political significance of the ceremony in legitimizing royal power and expanding territorial control.

xviii. In the northern Himalayan region, near 30° N, 78° E. This is a site of Post-Mauryan period burnt brick house, likely Sarnath or Sankisa. Let's assume Sankisa in Uttar Pradesh. It provides evidence of architectural developments in the Post-Mauryan period, with burnt brick structures indicating advanced construction techniques and the continuity of urban settlements after the Mauryan decline.

xix. In the northeastern region, near 26° N, 92° E. This is a Terracotta craft centre of Post-Mauryan period, likely Paharpur or Mahasthangarh. Let's assume Mahasthangarh in Bangladesh. It is known for its terracotta artifacts, including figurines and architectural fragments, indicating a thriving craft industry and cultural exchange in the northeastern region during the Post-Mauryan period.

xx. On the eastern coast, near 13° N, 80° E. This is an important port of the Pallava period, likely Kaveripattinam or Muziris (though Muziris is south). Let's assume Kaveripattinam in Tamil Nadu. It was a major port during the Pallava period, facilitating trade with Southeast Asia and the Roman Empire, highlighting the maritime significance of the southern coast in ancient India.

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