The correct option is (c).
Explanation
Mahagara is a significant archaeological site belonging to the Neolithic period, situated in the Vindhyan region. It offers crucial insights into the transition from hunting-gathering to settled agriculture and animal husbandry in the Indian subcontinent.
- Statement 1 is correct: The site of Mahagara is located in the Belan Valley in the Allahabad district (now Prayagraj) of Uttar Pradesh. It is situated on the banks of the Belan River, opposite the site of Chopani Mando.
- Statement 2 is correct: Excavations at Mahagara have yielded evidence of rice cultivation and animal domestication. A significant find was a cattle pen surrounded by postholes, where hoof marks were found on the clay surface. This provides direct evidence of cattle herding. Additionally, impressions of rice husks found in pottery indicate the cultivation of rice.
Key Takeaway: Mahagara and the adjacent site of Koldihwa in Uttar Pradesh are historically significant for providing some of the earliest evidence of rice cultivation and cattle domestication in the Neolithic context of India.