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Home/Anthropology/Mains PYQ/2020/Paper II/Prehistoric Archaeology
UPSC MainsAnthropology Optional Paper II 2020 10 Marks Model Answer Available

‘Narmada’ Man — 2020 Paper II

Question · 2020 · Paper II · 10 Marks

'Narmada' Man

Model Answer

VAID ICS

Approach

  • Demand of Question: Describe the discovery, morphology and evolutionary significance of the Narmada hominin fossil.
  • Structuring the Response: Cover Hathnora discovery, cranial characteristics, Middle Pleistocene context and debated taxonomic position.

Model Answer

Introduction

The Narmada hominin, popularly called “Narmada Man,” is one of the most important hominin fossils discovered in the Indian subcontinent. The partial cranial fossil was discovered by Arun Sonakia in 1982 at Hathnora on the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh.

Fossil and context

The specimen consists mainly of a partial cranial vault recovered from Pleistocene deposits associated with the Narmada Valley.

Its morphology shows a combination of archaic features, including:

  • thick cranial bones;
  • prominent supraorbital region;
  • relatively low cranial vault;
  • robust cranial architecture;
  • cranial capacity greater than many classic Asian Homo erectus specimens.

Phylogenetic position

Its taxonomic status remains debated.

It has variously been interpreted as:

  • Homo erectus;
  • archaic Homo sapiens;
  • a form comparable with Middle Pleistocene Homo, sometimes discussed in relation to Homo heidelbergensis.

Thus:

Archaic Homo morphology + Intermediate features → Taxonomic debate

Significance

The fossil demonstrates that the Indian subcontinent formed part of important Middle Pleistocene hominin dispersal and evolutionary processes.

It is especially significant because South Asia has a rich Palaeolithic archaeological record but comparatively few diagnostic hominin fossils.

Conclusion

Narmada Man remains a crucial fossil for reconstructing Middle Pleistocene human evolution in South Asia, although its precise taxonomic placement continues to be debated.

Q5(c). Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each: Concept of ‘Dominant’ caste. — 10 Marks

Approach

  • Demand of Question: Explain M.N. Srinivas’s concept of dominant caste and the factors that produce local caste power.
  • Structuring the Response: Define the concept, list its principal attributes and distinguish secular dominance from ritual rank.

Model Answer

Introduction

The concept of Dominant Caste was developed by M.N. Srinivas through his village studies, particularly his work in Rampura. It explains how a caste may exercise substantial economic, political and social influence locally even without occupying the highest ritual position.

Bases of dominance

According to Srinivas, dominance generally derives from a combination of:

  1. Numerical strength: A relatively large local population provides electoral and collective power.
  2. Landownership: Control over cultivable land provides economic security and influence over dependent groups.
  3. Economic resources: Wealth, credit and control over employment strengthen local authority.
  4. Political power: Representation in Panchayats, parties and state institutions reinforces dominance.
  5. Education and modern occupations: Access to education and bureaucracy expands influence beyond the village.
  6. Ritual status: A reasonably high caste position may enhance prestige, although ritual superiority alone does not create dominance.

Thus:

Land + Numbers + Economic power + Political organization → Dominant caste

Significance

The concept shifted caste analysis from purely ritual hierarchy to caste, class and power relations.

It also helps explain local politics, factionalism and processes of Sanskritisation.

Conclusion

The dominant caste concept demonstrates that caste hierarchy is not governed solely by purity and pollution; material resources, demographic strength and political power are equally important in shaping local social relations.

2026 Thermoluminescence dating method. 2026 Write a detailed note on the characteristic features, chronology, geographical distribution, tool types and lifeways of Magdalenian cultural tradition of Europe. 2026 What are the evidences available regarding crops and domesticated animals of Indus Valley Civilization? What are the views of the scholars regarding Indus script? 2026 Discuss with examples, how general comparative analogy has been used in ethnoarchaeological studies in India.

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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2020 — Paper II

28 questions

1(e) 'Khap' Panchayat

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.1 Indian Village > Traditional village institutions
2020Paper IIVillage India, Urbanisation & Social ChangeModel answer available

5(b) 'Narmada' Man

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.2 Palaeo-anthropological evidences from India > Narmada Man
2020Paper IIPrehistoric ArchaeologyModel answer available

5(c) Concept of 'Dominant' caste

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.2 Caste system in India > Dominant caste
2020Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationAnswer coming soon

5(e) Concept of Ethnicity

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.3 The concept of ethnicity
2020Paper IIEthnicity, Tribal Movements & Social ChangeModel answer available

5(a) Concept of Sanskritisation

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change > Sanskritization
2020Paper IIVillage India, Urbanisation & Social ChangeModel answer available

1(b) Debates on 'Aryan' invasion

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Post-Harappan cultures > Aryan debate
2020Paper IIPrehistoric ArchaeologyModel answer available

1(d) Dravidian languages

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 2. Demographic profile of India > Linguistic elements > Dravidian family
2020Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

5(d) Linguistic minorities in India

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.2 Linguistic and religious minorities and their social, political and economic status
2020Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available