The correct option is (b).
Explanation
The Neolithic Age, or the New Stone Age, marked a significant transition in human history known as the "Neolithic Revolution." This period is characterized by the shift from hunting and gathering to agriculture, animal husbandry, and settled village life.
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The most distinct feature of the Neolithic period was the transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a sedentary or settled life. The cultivation of crops required people to stay in one place for extended periods to look after the plants, water them, weed them, and harvest the grain. This led to the establishment of permanent settlements and mud-brick houses.
Statement 2 is Correct: Archaeological excavations, particularly at sites like Burzahom in Kashmir, have revealed traces of ash, charcoal, and cooking hearths both inside and outside the pit-houses. This suggests that people cooked food either indoors or outdoors, likely depending on the weather conditions.
Statement 3 is Correct: The Neolithic period saw the beginning of textile production. People began weaving cloth using different kinds of materials. For example, cotton was grown and used for weaving during this period (notably evidenced at Mehrgarh).
Statement 4 is Correct: With the advent of agriculture, food production increased, creating a need to store grains for both food and seed for the next season. Consequently, people began making large clay pots, weaving baskets, or digging pits into the ground for storage.
Key Takeaway: The Neolithic Age is defined by the "Neolithic Revolution," which introduced the domestication of plants and animals, leading to settled life, the invention of pottery for storage, and the development of weaving techniques.