CBSE Study Material Based on NCERT

Course: CBSE Class 6 – General Knowledge

Unit 2: Indian History & Heritage

Lesson: Prehistoric Period in India

Study Module

Introduction

The prehistoric period refers to the earliest phase of human history when humans did not know how to write. Information about this period is gathered from archaeological evidence such as tools, fossils, cave paintings, and remains of human settlements. The prehistoric period in India shows how early humans lived, hunted, gathered food, and gradually learned new skills that led to civilisation.

Meaning of Prehistory

• Prehistory means the period before the invention of writing.
• Knowledge of this period comes from material remains found by archaeologists.
• Early humans depended mainly on nature for survival.

Stages of the Prehistoric Period

The prehistoric period is divided into three main stages based on tools and lifestyle.

Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age)

• Earliest stage of human life
• Humans lived as hunters and gatherers
• Used rough stone tools
• Lived in caves and rock shelters

Key Features:

• No farming or permanent houses
• Tools made of stone, wood, and bone
• Discovery of fire helped in cooking and protection

Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age)

• Transitional phase between Paleolithic and Neolithic ages
• Humans used small and sharp stone tools called microliths

Key Features:

• Beginning of domestication of animals
• Improved hunting methods
• Lived near rivers and lakes

Neolithic Age (New Stone Age)

• Period of major progress in human life
• Humans started farming and settled life

Key Features:

• Polished stone tools
• Development of agriculture
• Domestication of animals
• Making of pottery and weaving

Sources of Prehistoric Life

• Stone tools
• Cave paintings
• Fossils
• Bones and remains

These sources help historians understand early human activities.

Importance of the Prehistoric Period

• Marks the beginning of human history
• Shows development of tools and skills
• Explains the origin of farming and settlement

Conclusion

The prehistoric period in India shows the gradual development of humans from food gatherers to food producers. These early developments laid the foundation for later civilisations and human progress.

Questions and Answers

Short Answer Questions (10)

1. What is prehistory?

Prehistory is the period of human history before the invention of writing.

2. How do we know about prehistoric life?

We know about it through archaeological remains like tools and fossils.

3. Name the three stages of the prehistoric period.

Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic Ages.

4. What were Paleolithic tools made of?

They were mainly made of stone.

5. What is a microlith?

A microlith is a small stone tool used in the Mesolithic Age.

6. When did humans start farming?

Humans started farming in the Neolithic Age.

7. Where did early humans live during the Paleolithic Age?

They lived in caves and rock shelters.

8. What important discovery was made in the Paleolithic Age?

The discovery of fire.

9. What is domestication?

Domestication is the process of taming animals and growing plants.

10. Why is the prehistoric period important?

It marks the beginning of human development.

Long Answer Questions (10)

11. Explain the Paleolithic Age.

The Paleolithic Age is the earliest stage of human history.

• Humans lived as hunters and gatherers
• Used crude stone tools
• Discovered fire, which helped in cooking and protection

12. Describe the lifestyle of Mesolithic humans.

Mesolithic humans showed progress in tool-making.

• Used microliths
• Began domesticating animals
• Lived near water sources for food and shelter

13. What changes occurred during the Neolithic Age?

The Neolithic Age marked a major change in human life.

• Start of agriculture
• Permanent settlements
• Use of polished stone tools

14. How did the discovery of fire help early humans?

Fire played a crucial role in survival.

• Helped cook food
• Provided warmth
• Protected humans from wild animals

15. What are the sources of information about prehistoric life?

Archaeological sources provide evidence.

• Stone tools
• Cave paintings
• Fossils and bones

16. Why is the Mesolithic Age called a transitional phase?

It connects the Paleolithic and Neolithic Ages.

• Improved tools
• Beginning of domestication
• Change in lifestyle

17. Explain the importance of agriculture in the Neolithic Age.

Agriculture changed human life.

• Led to settled life
• Increased food production
• Supported population growth

18. How did tool-making develop during the prehistoric period?

Tool-making improved gradually.

• Rough tools in Paleolithic Age
• Small tools in Mesolithic Age
• Polished tools in Neolithic Age

19. What was the impact of settled life on humans?

Settled life improved living conditions.

• Development of villages
• Storage of food
• Growth of social organisation

20. How did prehistoric humans adapt to their environment?

They adapted through skills and tools.

• Hunting and gathering
• Use of fire
• Farming and domestication

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

MCQs with Answers and Detailed Explanations (20)

1. What does prehistory mean?

a) Written history
b) Modern history
c) History before writing
d) Ancient literature

Answer: c) History before writing
Explanation: Prehistory refers to the time before written records.

2. Which age is known as the Old Stone Age?

a) Neolithic
b) Mesolithic
c) Paleolithic
d) Chalcolithic

Answer: c) Paleolithic
Explanation: Paleolithic means Old Stone Age.

3. What was the main occupation of Paleolithic humans?

a) Farming
b) Trade
c) Hunting and gathering
d) Weaving

Answer: c) Hunting and gathering
Explanation: Early humans depended on hunting and collecting food.

4. Which tool was used in the Mesolithic Age?

a) Polished axe
b) Microlith
c) Iron knife
d) Copper tool

Answer: b) Microlith
Explanation: Microliths were small stone tools.

5. In which age did humans start farming?

a) Paleolithic
b) Mesolithic
c) Neolithic
d) Iron Age

Answer: c) Neolithic
Explanation: Agriculture began in the Neolithic Age.

6. Which discovery helped early humans cook food?

a) Wheel
b) Fire
c) Pottery
d) Metal

Answer: b) Fire
Explanation: Fire was used for cooking and warmth.

7. Where did Paleolithic humans live?

a) Cities
b) Villages
c) Caves
d) Palaces

Answer: c) Caves
Explanation: They lived in caves and shelters.

8. Which age shows the beginning of settled life?

a) Paleolithic
b) Mesolithic
c) Neolithic
d) Iron Age

Answer: c) Neolithic
Explanation: Farming led to settled life.

9. What material were early tools mainly made of?

a) Iron
b) Copper
c) Stone
d) Clay

Answer: c) Stone
Explanation: Stone was easily available.

10. What does domestication mean?

a) Hunting animals
b) Taming animals
c) Killing animals
d) Worshipping animals

Answer: b) Taming animals
Explanation: Domestication involves taming animals.

11. Which age is a transitional phase?

a) Paleolithic
b) Mesolithic
c) Neolithic
d) Bronze Age

Answer: b) Mesolithic
Explanation: It connects old and new stone ages.

12. What evidence helps us study prehistoric life?

a) Coins
b) Manuscripts
c) Tools and fossils
d) Inscriptions

Answer: c) Tools and fossils
Explanation: Written records did not exist.

13. Which activity began in the Neolithic Age?

a) Cave painting
b) Agriculture
c) Hunting
d) Tool making

Answer: b) Agriculture
Explanation: Farming began in this age.

14. Which age used polished stone tools?

a) Paleolithic
b) Mesolithic
c) Neolithic
d) Chalcolithic

Answer: c) Neolithic
Explanation: Tools became smooth and polished.

15. Why is fire important in prehistoric life?

a) Decoration
b) Lighting cities
c) Cooking and protection
d) Writing

Answer: c) Cooking and protection
Explanation: Fire improved survival.

16. Which profession did not exist in prehistoric times?

a) Hunter
b) Farmer
c) Trader
d) Gatherer

Answer: c) Trader
Explanation: Trade developed later.

17. What type of life did Paleolithic humans lead?

a) Settled
b) Nomadic
c) Urban
d) Industrial

Answer: b) Nomadic
Explanation: They moved from place to place.

18. Which age is associated with pottery?

a) Paleolithic
b) Mesolithic
c) Neolithic
d) Iron Age

Answer: c) Neolithic
Explanation: Pottery developed in this age.

19. What led to the formation of villages?

a) Hunting
b) Domestication and farming
c) Cave living
d) Migration

Answer: b) Domestication and farming
Explanation: Food production encouraged settlement.

20. Why is the prehistoric period important in history?

a) It has written records
b) It shows early human development
c) It describes kings
d) It explains wars

Answer: b) It shows early human development
Explanation: It marks the beginning of human progress.

This study material is strictly aligned with the NCERT syllabus and fully suitable for CBSE Class 6 examination standards.