Uttarakhand P.C.S. Prelims 2006

Indian Prehistory

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The earliest evidence of man in India is found in-

Solution & Analysis

Answer: D

Concept Tracing the arrival and evolution of early humans in South Asia through fossilized remains.

Explanation The earliest human fossil in India, known as Narmada Man (Homo erectus), was discovered in 1982 by geologist Arun Sonakia at Hathnora in the Narmada Valley, Madhya Pradesh.

Logical Breakup
Narmada Valley (D): The site of the only pre-Homo sapiens fossil found in India so far (c. 500,000 years old).
Logic: While stone tools are found in the Shiwaliks and other regions, actual skeletal 'evidence of man' is uniquely linked to the Narmada site.

Active Recall

Question

Who discovered the Narmada Man fossil?

Answer

Arun Sonakia of the Geological Survey of India discovered the fossilized skull cap in 1982.

Core Insight

The Narmada Valley fossil proves that the Indian subcontinent was an integral part of the early human migration route from Africa to Southeast Asia.