Q. Which of the following statements with regard to the Balirajgarh Fort archaeological site is/are correct?
1.It is a centrally protected national monument managed under the Patna Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
2.Archaeological excavations have revealed an five-fold cultural sequence starting from the Gupta Empire down to the Mughal era.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer: A
Notes:
Detailed Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: Balirajgarh Fort (located in the Madhubani district of Bihar) is a ancient fortified settlement. It is an officially protected monument of national importance managed by the Patna Circle of the ASI.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: The five-fold cultural sequence uncovered at the site is far older. It begins with the ancient Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) phase (circa 700–200 BCE), and continues sequentially through the Shunga, Kushan, and Gupta periods, ending around the Pala period (12th century CE). It does not begin with the Guptas or extend to the Mughals.
