The archeological site of Kayatha is situated on the banks of which river ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:
The archaeological site of Kayatha, located near Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh, is a crucial site for understanding the Chalcolithic period (Copper Age) in central India. This ancient settlement is situated precisely on the banks of the **Chhoti Kalisindh River**, a tributary of the Chambal River. The site gives its name to the Kayatha Culture (c. 2000–1800 BCE), one of the earliest Chalcolithic cultures discovered in the region. Its location on the river bank was typical for ancient settlements, providing easy access to water for agriculture and sustenance, which allowed this pre-Harappan culture to flourish. Excavations here have yielded distinctive painted pottery, copper objects, and beads, firmly linking the site to this specific river valley.

The incorrect option is 1:
The Banas River is associated with the Ahar-Banas Culture, another major Chalcolithic culture, located primarily in the Mewar region of Rajasthan, west of Kayatha. While also a river-based culture, Ahar is distinct from Kayatha both geographically and culturally.

The incorrect option is 2:
The Betwa River flows through central India and is more strongly associated with historical sites of the Gupta and post-Gupta periods, such as Sanchi and Vidisha, rather than the prehistoric Chalcolithic site of Kayatha.

The incorrect option is 3:
The Ken River is a major tributary of the Yamuna River, flowing through the Bundelkhand region. This river system is geographically distant from the Chhoti Kalisindh and is not the location for the Kayatha archaeological remains.