GeographyIndia-People and Economy: Human Settlements

Which of the following is NOT an ancient town?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → Agra

Option (1) Madurai — An ancient town (Incorrect). It is one of the towns with a history of over 2000 years, which grew as religious and cultural centres.

Option (2) Varanasi — An ancient town (Incorrect). Varanasi is one of the most important of the ancient towns.

Option (3) Agra — Not an ancient town (Correct). Agra is a medieval town, one of the fort towns that grew as headquarters of principalities and kingdoms.

Option (4) Prayag — An ancient town (Incorrect). Prayag (Allahabad) is named with Pataliputra and Madurai as an ancient town.

NCERT (2025-26): “Ancient Towns … There are number of towns in India having historical background spanning over 2000 years. Most of them developed as religious and cultural centres. Varanasi is one of the important towns among these. Prayag (Allahabad), Pataliputra (Patna), Madurai are some other examples of ancient towns in the country.…”

“Medieval Towns … About 100 of the existing towns have their roots in the medieval period. Most of them developed as headquarters of principalities and kingdoms. These are fort towns which came up on the ruins of ancient towns. Important among them are Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Agra and Nagpur.…”