Ancient Indian History Master Guide
RRB NTPC & SSC CGL Special | Stone Age to Mahajanapadas
1. Quick Study Notes
(A) Stone Age
- Paleolithic: Hunters/Gatherers. Site: Bhimbetka (MP) for rock paintings.
- Mesolithic: Domestication of animals starts. Tools: Microliths. Site: Bagor.
- Neolithic: Agriculture begins. Site: Mehrgarh (Wheat/Barley), Burzahom (Pit-dwelling).
(B) Indus Valley Civilization (IVC)
- Harappa (1921): Discovered by Daya Ram Sahni on river Ravi.
- Mohenjo-Daro (1922): "Mound of Dead". Great Bath, Bronze Dancing Girl.
- Lothal: Port city, Artificial Dockyard.
- Dholavira: Water management, Signboard.
(C) Vedic Civilization
- Early Vedic: Rigveda. River Saraswati most sacred. Cow (Aghanya) was currency.
- Later Vedic: Iron (Shyama Ayas) discovered. Varna system became rigid.
- Upanishads: Source of "Satyameva Jayate" (Mundaka).
(D) Mahajanapadas
- 16 States: Mentioned in Anguttara Nikaya (Buddhist).
- Magadha: Most powerful. Capitals: Rajgriha, Pataliputra.
- Assaka: Only Mahajanapada in South India.
2. Practice Quiz (MCQs)
Test your knowledge below. Click an option to see the answer.
3. Rapid Fire Revision
- Father of Indian Pre-history: Robert Bruce Foote.
- First metal used by man: Copper.
- Battle of Ten Kings fought on river: Parushni (Ravi).
- Founder of Haryanka Dynasty: Bimbisara.
- Oldest Veda: Rigveda.
- Ploughed field found at: Kalibangan.
