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Consider the following information : 1. Archaeological Site: Chandraketugarh, State: Odisha, Description: Trading Port town 2. Archaeological Site: Inamgaon, State: Maharashtra, Description: Chalcolithic site 3. Archaeological Site: Mangadu, State: Kerala, Description: Megalithic site 4. Archaeological Site: Salihundam, State: Andhra Pradesh, Description: Rock-cut cave shrines In which of the above rows is the given information correctly matched ?
Explanation
The correct answer is option B (rows 2 and 3 are correctly matched).
Inamgaon is a chalcolithic settlement located in the state of Maharashtra[1], making row 2 accurate. Mangadu in Kerala is indeed a megalithic site, making row 3 also correct.
Row 1 is incorrect because Chandraketugarh is actually located in West Bengal, not Odisha. It was an important trading port town, but the state information is wrong.
Row 4 is incorrect because rock cut caves are not found in Salihundam[2]. While Salihundam is correctly located in Andhra Pradesh and contains Buddhist stupas and a monastic complex, the description of "rock-cut cave shrines" is inaccurate.
Therefore, only rows 2 and 3 have all their information (site name, state, and description) correctly matched, making option B the right answer.
SourcesPROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a 'Map-Based History' question disguised as a matching list. While Inamgaon is a standard NCERT staple, Chandraketugarh and Mangadu are often found in 'Places in News' columns or specialized Art & Culture appendices. The key is not reading more books, but mapping every site mentioned in The Hindu's Friday 'History & Culture' page.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Is the archaeological site Chandraketugarh located in Odisha?
- Statement 2: Was the archaeological site Chandraketugarh historically a trading port town?
- Statement 3: Is the archaeological site Inamgaon located in Maharashtra?
- Statement 4: Is the archaeological site Inamgaon a Chalcolithic site?
- Statement 5: Is the archaeological site Mangadu located in Kerala?
- Statement 6: Is the archaeological site Mangadu a megalithic site?
- Statement 7: Is the archaeological site Salihundam located in Andhra Pradesh?
- Statement 8: Are the archaeological remains at Salihundam rock-cut cave shrines?
Describes the geographic concentration of Harappan archaeological sites (mostly between the Indus and Saraswati basins), giving a rule about where major ancient sites are commonly located.
A student could use this geographic rule plus a map to judge whether Chandraketugarh (if thought to be a Harappan/ancient urban site) lies inside the indicated basin area or outside (e.g., Odisha).
Gives examples of archaeological sites and their states/regions (Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh) illustrating that classical ancient sites are tied to particular river basins and regions.
Use the pattern that sites are often reported with their state/region to check whether Chandraketugarh is typically listed with Odisha or another state on maps or site registers.
Notes that archaeological surveys and discoveries are regionally specific (e.g., Kutch, Punjab, Haryana, Kalibangan, Lothal, Rakhigarhi, Dholavira), highlighting how site-distribution patterns are used to classify and locate sites.
A student could look for which regional survey or excavation lists include Chandraketugarh to see if it clusters with sites in eastern states like Odisha or with sites in another region.
Provides examples of named archaeological sites tied explicitly to southern states (Arikamedu, Kodumanal, Alangulam), showing the common practice of pairing site names with their state.
Apply the same practice: check authoritative lists or textbooks to see which state is routinely paired with the name Chandraketugarh (helpful to confirm or refute an Odisha location).
Mentions Odisha in a list of heritage/biodiversity sites, demonstrating that Odisha is a recognized location for named heritage sites (so presence of archaeological/heritage sites in Odisha is plausible).
Combine this with a map or site catalogue to determine whether Chandraketugarh specifically appears among Odisha's listed heritage/archaeological sites.
Shows longβdistance and maritime trade in Indian sites and that southern/coastal locations played key roles in overseas contacts.
A student could check Chandraketugarh's location relative to ancient maritime routes or coastlines on a map to see if it lay on likely sea trade corridors.
States the Periplus is a reliable firstβcentury source on ports and that archaeological findings confirm Periplus information about Indian ports.
Look for mentions of Chandraketugarh (or nearby toponyms) in Periplus translations or seek archaeological finds at Chandraketugarh that match Periplus descriptions.
Lists several excavated ancient sites explicitly identified as 'ports' (e.g., Arikamedu), showing that archaeological contexts can indicate port function.
Compare the material culture and structural features reported from Chandraketugarh with those typical of archaeological 'ports' (harbour installations, imported goods).
Gives an example where inland beadβmaking sites supplied stones to coastal ports, illustrating a pattern of hinterlandβport economic links.
Investigate whether Chandraketugarh shows production or trade goods that could link it to maritime exchange networks (e.g., beads, semiβprecious stones, craft goods).
Describes organized maritime trader groups and lists export items and active port towns, indicating identifiable archaeological signatures of maritime trade.
Search for evidence at Chandraketugarh of traded commodities or foreign trader presence (coinage, exotic goods, guild references) that match known maritime trade patterns.
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- Directly states the location of Inamgaon as a settlement in Maharashtra.
- Describes Inamgaon as a Chalcolithic site, confirming the archaeological context and linking it to the state.
Gives a clear example of a well-known archaeological site (Ajanta) being situated in Maharashtra, showing the state contains significant archaeological sites.
A student could use this pattern (archaeological sites found in Maharashtra) plus a map or ASI site list to check whether Inamgaon also lies within Maharashtra.
Lists specific prehistoric sites and explicitly names Patne as being in Maharashtra, demonstrating that Maharashtra is attested in the sources as a location for archaeological sites.
One could extend this by comparing the named Maharashtra sites' locations to Inamgaon's location on a map or in regional archaeological catalogues to assess whether Inamgaon is likewise in the state.
Notes coastal archaeological occurrences at Mumbai, indicating archaeological evidence exists within Maharashtra's geographic area (Mumbai is in Maharashtra).
Use this pattern (archaeology present in Maharashtra coastal/interior areas) and basic geographic reference (map or gazetteer) to see if Inamgaon falls within Maharashtra's boundaries.
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Describes diagnostic features of Chalcolithic sites in southern India (presence of copper/bronze tools, black-on-red ware, agriculture and animal rearing).
A student could check published finds from Inamgaon (pottery type, metal tools, evidence of agriculture) against these traits to judge if it fits a Chalcolithic profile.
States that some Chalcolithic cultures are temporally correlated with Early Vedic period and marks the Chalcolithic as a distinct archaeological phase.
A student could compare chronological dates or cultural associations reported for Inamgaon with dates/associations typical of Chalcolithic phases to see if they match.
Notes material markers found in later prehistoric contexts in southern India (e.g., black and red ware, iron objects, burial types) indicating how ceramic and burial evidence is used to assign sites to cultural phases.
A student could look for reports of similar ceramic types or burial practices at Inamgaon to infer whether it aligns with Chalcolithic or a different phase.
Describes regional Neolithic signatures (ash mounds, habitation evidence) showing that different prehistoric phases have distinct regional material markers.
A student could use a map and site reports to see whether Inamgaon's material assemblage resembles Neolithic ash-mound traditions or the Chalcolithic traits outlined above, helping to distinguish phases.
Lists types of excavated ancient sites (ports, towns, Buddhist sites) and demonstrates that excavation reports and site typologies are the source of assigning cultural labels.
A student could seek the excavation report or typological description of Inamgaon (settlement vs. burial assemblage) and compare it with known Chalcolithic site types to infer relevance.
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Shows example of an archaeological site (Paiyampalli) explicitly located in Tirupathu/Tamil Nadu, illustrating that many named prehistoric sites are tied to specific South Indian districts.
A student could check whether Mangadu is similarly tied in sources to a Tamil Nadu district on a map, which would argue against it being in Kerala.
Lists several excavated ancient sites (Arikamedu, Kodumanal, etc.) as located in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring southern regions, suggesting a concentration of named archaeological sites in Tamil Nadu.
Compare Mangaduβs reported archaeological attributions or nearby named sites β if those match Tamil Nadu clusters, Mangadu is less likely to be in Kerala.
Defines 'The Malabar coast' as present-day Kerala, establishing a clear geographic label for Kerala distinct from Tamil Nadu.
Use this geographic distinction on a map: if Mangadu is on the Malabar coast it would be in Kerala; if it lies inland or in districts matching Tamil Nadu examples, it would not.
Enumerates Neolithic sites predominantly in Andhra, Karnataka and the north-western part of Tamil Nadu, showing that many South Indian prehistoric sites are specifically located in Tamil Nadu rather than Kerala.
A student could locate Mangadu relative to the listed regional patterns β if Mangadu aligns with the Tamil Nadu cluster pattern, that suggests it may not be in Kerala.
Notes mesolithic/coastal archaeological sites in specific Tamil Nadu locations (e.g., Teri sites in Thoothukudy district), illustrating that coastal prehistoric sites have state-specific attributions.
Map Mangaduβs coordinates or nearest coastal reference; if its nearest named coastal region corresponds to Tamil Nadu examples, that would be evidence against a Kerala location.
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Gives a clear definition and typical features of megaliths in Tamil Nadu (circular tombs using big stone slabs; urn burials; black-ware associated with burial sites).
A student could check whether Mangadu has these features (stoneβslab tombs, urn burials, black/burnished burial wares) to judge if it fits the megalithic pattern.
Provides an example (Paiyampalli) of a recognised megalithic site with specific evidence: ASI excavation, black and red ware pottery, and numerous urn burials dated by radiocarbon.
Compare published excavation reports or inventories for Mangadu to see if similar finds (urn burials, black/red ware, radiocarbon dates) are reported.
Mentions the category 'megalithic burial sites of the early historic period' alongside named archaeological sites in Tamil Nadu, indicating that certain sites are classified under this category.
Look for lists or gazetteers (ASI/state archaeology) to see whether Mangadu is listed among Tamil Nadu's megalithic burial sites.
Shows that identifying and discussing 'Megalithic Iron Age Sites discovered in Tamil Nadu' is an explicit historical topic β i.e., there is a defined set of sites scholars treat together.
Use that topic as a checklist: check standard surveys or syllabus lists of 'Megalithic Iron Age Sites in Tamil Nadu' to see if Mangadu appears.
Notes that black-on-red/black ware pottery and metal tools occur at Chalcolithic/Megalithic contexts in southern India β pottery types can be diagnostic of such sites.
Investigate whether similar pottery or metal-tool assemblages have been reported from Mangadu to infer megalithic affiliation.
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States that Buddhist sites with stupas and chaityas are located in Andhra (examples: Amaravati, Nagarjunakonda), showing Andhra has notable Buddhist archaeological sites.
A student could note that Salihundam, if a Buddhist site, plausibly fits the pattern of important Buddhist sites occurring in Andhra and then check a map or site list for Salihundam's coordinates or district.
Lists archaeological/microlithic coastal and regional sites in Andhra (e.g., Vishakapatnam, Sankanakallu), indicating Andhra contains diverse archaeological sites across eco-zones.
Use this pattern to suspect Salihundam might be among Andhra's coastal/hill archaeological sites and verify by locating Salihundam on a map of Andhra Pradesh.
Names specific Neolithic/ash-mound sites in Andhra (Utnur, Palvoy), demonstrating that the state is home to multiple named prehistoric sites.
Given Andhra frequently appears in lists of named archaeological sites, a student could look for Salihundam in compilations or maps of Andhra's archaeological locations.
Notes important river-valley archaeological sites and Upper Palaeolithic sites in Andhra (Kurnool caves, Godavari/Krishna valleys), showing the state is a locus for archaeological finds tied to major rivers.
If Salihundam is associated with a river or valley, a student could check whether that river/valley lies in Andhra to assess the likelihood it is in the state.
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- Explicitly states the nature of Salihundam as a Buddhist site with stupas and a monastic complex, not rock-cut caves.
- Directly negates the claim by saying there are no rock-cut cave shrines at Salihundam.
- Plainly asserts that rock-cut caves are absent at Salihundam.
- Provides a clear negation of the statement that Salihundam has rock-cut cave shrines.
Lists Buddhist sites with stupas and chaityas located in Andhra and Karnataka (Amaravati, Nagarjunakonda), showing the region has rock-related Buddhist archaeological monuments.
A student could check a map to see if Salihundam lies in the same regional tradition (Andhra) where rock/chaitya monuments occur, making rock-cut shrines plausible.
Notes that some early temples were hollowed out of huge rocks β the tradition of building artificial caves was an old one.
Use this rule to infer that archaeological remains of early religious sites in the subcontinent may be rock-cut cave shrines and compare Salihundam's remains to that type.
Says archaeological findings have revealed monasteries and names of monks who lived in rock-cut caves, linking rock-cut caves with monastic/shrine functions.
A student could look for monastic features (stone beds, inscriptions) at Salihundam or nearby sites to test whether its remains served as rock-cut shrines.
Describes rock-cut caves as a recognized architectural category with notable groups across India (Ajanta, Ellora, Bagh, Udayagiri), establishing a pattern of rock-cut religious architecture.
Compare typological features (carved facades, pillar designs) from these well-known rock-cut sites with descriptions or photos of Salihundam remains to assess similarity.
Explicitly calls certain monuments 'rock-cut shrines' (Ellora, Elephanta), showing the term is used for religious cave complexes.
A student can use this example to frame investigation: if Salihundam shows analogous shrine/temple plan or iconography, it may be a rock-cut shrine.
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- [THE VERDICT]: Bouncer. While Inamgaon (Pair 2) is standard NCERT, knowing the exact nature of Salihundam (structural vs rock-cut) and the location of Chandraketugarh (WB, not Odisha) requires precise recall or elimination.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Site Typology & Geography. The shift from asking 'Which period?' to 'Which State + Function?'.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Chandraketugarh (West Bengal): Early Historic, Terracotta art. Sisupalgarh (Odisha): Fortified city. Salihundam (Andhra): Hilltop Stupa (Structural), inscribed relic caskets. Mangadu (Kerala): Urn burials, iron implements (Megalithic). Keezhadi (TN): Sangam age urban settlement.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Stop memorizing lists linearly. Group sites by Function (Ports: Tamralipti, Muziris, Sopara) and Architecture (Rock-cut: Ajanta, Barabar vs Structural: Sanchi, Salihundam). If a site is famous for Terracotta (Chandraketugarh), it's likely alluvial plains (Bengal), not rocky Odisha.
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Harappan settlements are geographically concentrated between the Indus and Saraswati basins, so assessing whether a site fits this spatial pattern helps evaluate claims about its location and cultural affiliation.
High-yield for questions on ancient urbanisation and regional archaeology; helps link site names to likely states/regions by spatial patterns and river-basin geography. Useful for elimination in location-based MCQs and for mapping culture-region relationships in mains answers.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > SARASWATI-THE MYSTERY OF A LOST RIVER > p. 25
- THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: Bricks, Beads and Bones > Harappan Settlements > p. 2
- THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: Bricks, Beads and Bones > 10.3 New techniques and questions > p. 21
Official identification and excavation by the Archaeological Survey of India are key to confirming a site's location and significance.
Important for paper-II and prelims background: knowing how sites are discovered, surveyed and excavated explains provenance of location claims and helps critically evaluate statements about archaeological sites.
- 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
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 7: The Guptas > Nalanda University > p. 100
Different prehistoric traditions (megalithic, mesolithic) have characteristic regional distributions; matching a site's typology to regional patterns aids assessment of its probable state location.
Useful for culture-and-region questions and for constructing answers that connect artefact types and burial practices to geography; enables pattern-based elimination in location questions.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > Archaeological > p. 63
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 2: Early India: The Chalcolithic, Megalithic, Iron Age and Vedic Cultures > Paiyampalli > p. 21
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 1: Early India: From the Beginnings to the Indus Civilisation > Mesolithic Culture > p. 5
Harbour structures, imported goods (e.g., Roman coins, foreign beads), and specialised craft remains are used to identify a site as a port town.
High-yield for UPSC: helps test-takers justify classification of archaeological sites (port vs. inland settlement). Connects archaeology with economic history and maritime trade; useful for questions asking for criteria or reconstruction of trade networks from material remains.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > Archaeological > p. 63
- THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns > The Malabar coast (present-day Kerala) > p. 44
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > 5.6 Society and Economy > p. 69
The Periplus is a first-century CE coastal guide listing Indian ports and trade routes used to identify historical port towns.
High-yield: knowing key textual sources aids in corroborating archaeological data and answering source-based questions on ancient maritime trade and port locations.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Polity and Society in Post-Mauryan Period > 6.3 The Tamil Kingdoms > p. 83
Presence of maritime merchant guilds, foreign merchant communities, and circulation of foreign coins signal organised overseas trade linked to port towns.
Important for UPSC as it links social institutions (guilds, merchant groups) with economic and maritime history; helps answer questions about institutional mechanisms of pre-modern trade and identification of active ports.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 11: Later Cholas and Pandyas > Trade > p. 164
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 11: Later Cholas and Pandyas > Trade > p. 169
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > 5.6 Society and Economy > p. 69
Prehistoric and Chalcolithic settlements are concentrated along river valleys such as the Saraswati basin, Narmada, Godavari and Krishna.
High-yield for map-based and distribution questions: helps locate cultural complexes and link them to ecological settings; connects to topics on settlement patterns, agriculture and riverine civilizations; useful for elimination in MCQs and for framing short-answer explanations.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > SARASWATI-THE MYSTERY OF A LOST RIVER > p. 25
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 1: Early India: From the Beginnings to the Indus Civilisation > Distribution > p. 4
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 1: Early India: From the Beginnings to the Indus Civilisation > Neolithic Culture of South India > p. 9
Discover the small, exam-centric ideas hidden in this question and where they appear in your books and notes.
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Sisupalgarh (Odisha). The examiner likely swapped Chandraketugarh (WB) with Odisha because Sisupalgarh is the famous fortified city there. Expect a question on Sisupalgarh's fortification or Jaugada (Odisha) rock edicts next.
The 'Material-Geography' Logic. Salihundam: Andhra coastal belt sites (Amaravati, Bhattiprolu) are famous for Structural Stupas (bricks/limestone), not Rock-cut caves (which need specific basalt/granite cliffs like Western Ghats). Chandraketugarh: If you recall 'Chandraketugarh Terracotta', associate it with the alluvial clay of the Ganges delta (West Bengal), distinct from the stone-heavy archaeology of Odisha.
Mains GS-1 (Art & Culture) + GS-3 (Tourism): Ancient port cities (like Chandraketugarh/Tamralipti) are now central to India's 'Project Mausam' and 'Maritime Heritage Complex' narratives. Use these sites as examples of India's early globalisation and soft power in answers.
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