Which one among the following statements with reference to the ‘Neolithic Period' is not correct? (a) The characteristic features of the period included ground and polished stone tools, agriculture, animal domestication and pottery. (b) This period is also known as the ‘New Stone Age’. (c) The characteristic features appeared almost at the same time in various parts of the subcontinent. (d) Earliest evidence of agriculture is found from Mehrgarh around 8000 BCE.

The Neolithic Period, also known as the 'New Stone Age' [3], is characterized by ground and polished stone tools, the onset of agriculture, animal domestication, and the production of pottery [3]. While Mehrgarh provides the earliest evidence of agriculture in the subcontinent, dating back to approximately 7000–8000 BCE [1], the transition to Neolithic life was not uniform. Statement (c) is incorrect because Neolithic features did not appear simultaneously across the subcontinent. For instance, while the northwest saw early development at Mehrgarh, Neolithic cultures in North-eastern India appeared much later, generally dating from 2500–1500 BCE or even later [2]. This significant chronological gap between regions like Baluchistan and Assam demonstrates that the Neolithic revolution was a staggered, regional process rather than a synchronized event across South Asia.

Sources

1. [3] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 1: Early India: From the Beginnings to the Indus Civilisation > 141 Pre-historic India > p. 2
2. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 1: Early India: From the Beginnings to the Indus Civilisation > Nomenclature, Phases and Chronology > p. 10
3. [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 1: Early India: From the Beginnings to the Indus Civilisation > Neolithic Culture of Northeastern India > p. 9