Which of the following sites provides the oldest evidence of the Neolithic Era in the Indian subcontinent?

Introduction / Context:
This question checks your knowledge of early agricultural and Neolithic sites in the Indian subcontinent. The Neolithic Era is characterized by the beginning of agriculture, domestication of animals and settled village life. Archaeologists have identified several important Neolithic sites in different regions, but some are older than others. Knowing which site provides the earliest evidence of Neolithic culture is a recurring theme in exam questions on prehistoric India.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The options given are Chirand, Mehrgarh, Burzahom and Daimabad.
- The question asks for the site presenting the oldest evidence of the Neolithic Era in the Indian subcontinent, not necessarily within present political boundaries alone.
- You are expected to know approximate time periods and the key features of these archaeological sites.

Concept / Approach:
Mehrgarh, located in present-day Baluchistan (in the Pakistani part of the subcontinent), is one of the earliest known farming settlements, with evidence of Neolithic culture dating back to around the 7th millennium BCE. Chirand in Bihar, Burzahom in Kashmir and Daimabad in Maharashtra are all significant but generally later in date than the earliest levels at Mehrgarh. Therefore, to identify the oldest Neolithic evidence, you select the site with the earliest stratified remains of agriculture and settled life, which is Mehrgarh.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Mehrgarh is often cited in textbooks as one of the earliest Neolithic settlements in the Indian subcontinent, with dates going back to around 7000 BCE. Step 2: Chirand, while an important Neolithic site in Bihar, belongs to a later phase of the Neolithic compared to Mehrgarh. Step 3: Burzahom in Kashmir and Daimabad in Maharashtra also show Neolithic or Chalcolithic remains but are generally later than the earliest levels at Mehrgarh. Step 4: Therefore, the site that presents the oldest evidence of the Neolithic Era among the given options is Mehrgarh, so option B is correct.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification is to associate each site with its approximate cultural horizon: Mehrgarh – early Neolithic and early farming; Burzahom – Neolithic and Megalithic (later); Chirand – Neolithic and Chalcolithic; Daimabad – Chalcolithic, associated with late Harappan and post-Harappan cultures. Among these, only Mehrgarh consistently appears as a pioneering centre of early agriculture and settled life across standard references, confirming it as the earliest.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, Chirand, is significant but belongs to a later Neolithic period and does not predate Mehrgarh. Option C, Burzahom, is also a well-known Neolithic site but again is not the oldest in the subcontinent. Option D, Daimabad, is primarily known as a Chalcolithic site with later cultural phases and is clearly younger than Mehrgarh's Neolithic levels. Thus, they cannot be considered the oldest evidence of the Neolithic Era when compared to Mehrgarh.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes assume that sites within present-day India must be older or more important than those outside current borders, leading them to choose Chirand or Burzahom instead of Mehrgarh. Another mistake is to confuse the cultural labels Neolithic and Chalcolithic and forget that the introduction of copper at Chalcolithic sites generally indicates a later horizon. Keeping a simple chronological and geographical chart of major prehistoric sites helps avoid these errors.

Final Answer:
Among the given sites, the oldest evidence of the Neolithic Era in the Indian subcontinent comes from Mehrgarh.