Q. The earliest people lived along which of the following?
a). Mountains
b). Deserts
c). River valleys
d). Forest tops
Answer: c). River valleys
Explanation: Early people settled near rivers like the Ganga and Indus because water was essential for survival and farming.
Q. The earliest people lived along the banks of which river?
a). Ganga
b). Narmada
c). Yamuna
d). Saraswati
Answer: b). Narmada
Explanation: Some of the earliest people lived along the banks of the Narmada River, where they collected fruits and hunted animals for food.
Q. What kind of people lived near the Narmada River in ancient times?
a). Farmers
b). Herders
c). Hunters and gatherers
d). Traders
Answer: c). Hunters and gatherers
Explanation: People near the Narmada were among the earliest humans who hunted animals and gathered fruits and roots for survival.
Q. The area around the Sulaiman and Kirthar Hills was one of the first regions where people began to:
a). Hunt and gather
b). Grow crops and rear animals
c). Build cities
d). Trade with other countries
Answer: b). Grow crops and rear animals
Explanation: Around the Sulaiman and Kirthar Hills, early people started farming and herding animals, marking the beginning of a settled life.
Q. The first crops grown near the Sulaiman and Kirthar Hills were mainly:
a). Wheat and barley
b). Rice and sugarcane
c). Cotton and maize
d). Millets and pulses
Answer: a). Wheat and barley
Explanation: Archaeological evidence shows that wheat and barley were among the earliest crops grown in this region.
Q. What kind of animals were reared by people near the Sulaiman and Kirthar Hills?
a). Dogs and cats
b). Sheep and goats
c). Horses and elephants
d). Tigers and lions
Answer: b). Sheep and goats
Explanation: Early farmers in this region domesticated animals like sheep and goats for milk, meat, and wool.
Q. The Garo Hills and the Vindhyas are mentioned in the chapter as regions where:
a). The first cities developed
b). Early people lived and started farming
c). Great temples were built
d). Kings ruled large kingdoms
Answer: b). Early people lived and started farming
Explanation: The Garo Hills in the east and the Vindhyas in central India were regions where people began farming and settled life.
Q. The Garo Hills are located in which direction of the Indian subcontinent?
a). North-west
b). North-east
c). South-west
d). South-east
Answer: b). North-east
Explanation: The Garo Hills are situated in the north-eastern part of India, in present-day Meghalaya
Q. The Vindhyas are located in which part of India?
a). Northern India
b). Central India
c). Southern India
d). Western India
Answer: b). Central India
Explanation: The Vindhya mountain range runs across central India and forms a natural divide between north and south India.
Q. Which crop was first grown in the north of the Vindhya region by early farmers?
a). Wheat
b). Barley
c). Rice
d). Maize
Answer: c). Rice
Explanation: Early people in the Vindhyas region started cultivating rice, marking an important step towards settled agriculture.
Q. The Ganga and Son River valleys were important because they were:
a). Areas of dense forest and wildlife
b). Among the earliest settled regions in ancient India
c). Centers of ancient trade and seafaring
d). Regions known for iron mines
Answer: b). Among the earliest settled regions in ancient India
Explanation: The Ganga and Son River valleys provided fertile soil and water, making them ideal places for early human settlements and agriculture.
Q. Magadha was one of the most powerful kingdoms located along which river?
a). Indus River
b). Ganga River
c). Narmada River
d). Godavari River
Answer: b). Ganga River
Explanation: Magadha developed along the banks of the Ganga River, which provided fertile soil and easy transport routes.
Q. The ancient kingdom of Magadha was located mainly in which present-day state?
a). Uttar Pradesh
b). Bihar
c). Gujarat
d). Punjab
Answer: b). Bihar
Explanation: The ancient region of Magadha corresponds to parts of modern-day Bihar, where early kingdoms first grew powerful.
Q. The name “India” is derived from which ancient river?
a). Ganga
b). Indus
c). Yamuna
d). Saraswati
Answer: b). Indus
Explanation: The name “India” comes from the River Indus, which was called Sindhu in Sanskrit. The Greeks and Persians pronounced it as Indos and Hindos, leading to the term “India.”
Q. The term “Bharat” is mentioned in which ancient Indian text?
a). Rigveda
b). Arthashastra
c). Yajurveda
d). Ramayana
Answer: a). Rigveda
Explanation: The name Bharata was used for a group of people who lived in the north west, and who are mentioned in the Rigveda, the earliest composition in Sanskrit (dated to about 3500 years ago).
Q. Who studies the remains of buildings, pottery, and tools to learn about the past?
a). Historians
b). Archaeologists
c). Geographers
d). Astronomers
Answer: b). Archaeologists
Explanation: Archaeologists study material remains like buildings, pottery, and tools to reconstruct the way people lived in the past.
Q. What were manuscripts in ancient India usually written on?
a). Stone and metal plates
b). Palm leaves and birch bark
c). Cotton cloth
d). Paper rolls
Answer: b). Palm leaves and birch bark
Explanation: In ancient India, manuscripts were commonly written on palm leaves or birch bark using ink, as paper was not yet in use.
Q. What are inscriptions?
a). Books written by hand
b). Writings engraved on hard surfaces
c). Drawings on cave walls
d). Printed documents
Answer: b). Writings engraved on hard surfaces
Explanation: Inscriptions are writings carved or engraved on stone, metal, or other hard surfaces to record important events, orders, or achievements.
Q. What do inscriptions mainly tell us about?
a). Climate and geography
b). Kings, wars, and achievements
c). Wildlife and forests
d). Clothing and food habits
Answer: b). Kings, wars, and achievements
Explanation: Inscriptions often record royal orders, victories, donations, and public works, helping historians learn about rulers and historical events.
Q. Who are archaeologists?
a). People who study stars and planets
b). People who study past through remains
c). People who write about kings and queens
d). People who predict the future
Answer: b). People who study past through remains
Explanation: Archaeologists study the remains of buildings, tools, pottery, and bones to understand how people lived in the past.
Q. Which of the following is NOT studied by archaeologists?
a). Coins
b). Pottery
c). Temples
d). Modern novels
Answer: d). Modern novels
Explanation: Archaeologists study ancient material remains like coins, pottery, and temples, not modern literary works.
Q. What does “BC” stand for in history?
a). Before Christ
b). Before Common
c). British Calendar
d). Beginning of Century
Answer: a). Before Christ
Explanation: “BC” stands for “Before Christ” and refers to the years before the birth of Jesus Christ.
Q. What does “AD” stand for?
a). After Death
b). After Dynasty
c). Anno Domini
d). Ancient Date
Answer: c). Anno Domini
Explanation: “AD” is a Latin term meaning Anno Domini, which translates to “In the year of our Lord,” referring to the years after Christ’s birth.
Q. The year 500 BC means—
a). 500 years after Christ’s birth
b). 500 years before Christ’s birth
c). 1000 years after Christ’s death
d). 500 years after the Roman Empire
Answer: b). 500 years before Christ’s birth
Explanation: 500 BC indicates a time that was 500 years before the birth of Jesus Christ.
Q. In modern usage, what do BCE and CE stand for?
a). Before Christian Era and Current Era
b). Before Common Era and Common Era
c). Before Century Era and Common Era
d). Before Christ Era and Christian Era
Answer: b). Before Common Era and Common Era
Explanation: BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era) are modern, non-religious alternatives to BC and AD, representing the same time periods.