Question

Which of the following is not an example of India's ancient urban town?
A) Prayag
B) Calcutta
C) Pataliputra
D) Varanasi

Answer 1

Hint: Although opinions differ on which ancient settlements are truly cities, towns and cities have a long history. Reduced transportation costs, exchange of ideas, sharing of natural resources, large local markets, and, in some cases, amenities such as running water and sewage disposal were all advantages of dense settlement.

Complete answer:
Calcutta is not an example of an old Indian city. This is due to the fact that the state has no ancient past. Its history is linked to and confined to the time of the British. Calcutta was British India's capital. It was well-known for its river port, which served as a crossroads for trade and commerce with the rest of the globe. Prayagraj, Patliputra, and Varanasi, for example, have a long and illustrious past. Prayagraj is an ancient city that is mentioned in the Vedas.

It is said to be the site of a sacrifice ceremony attended by Brahma, the Creator of the Universe. Patliputra was an ancient Indian city on the Ganges River that was established by the Magadha ruler. In ancient India, it became the capital of important powers. Varanasi was also known as Benaras, and the city is referred to as K (Kashi) in the Rig Veda, which comes from the Sanskrit verbal root ka- "to shine," making Varanasi renowned as the "City of Light." Varanasi was also created by Shiva, according to Hindu mythology. As a result, Calcutta does not have any ancient history.

Therefore the correct answer is option ‘B’.

Note: The three villages that preceding Calcutta was controlled by the Nawab of Bengal under Mughal suzerainty in the late 17th century. Following the Nawab's issuance of a trade licence to the East India Company in 1690, the region was expanded by the Company into a more fortified trading centre. Calcutta was seized by Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah in 1756, but the East India Company retook it the following year. In 1793, the East India Company was powerful enough to overthrow the British and take full control of the province.