The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The term 'Megalith' is derived from the Greek words megas (great) and lithos (stone). In the Indian context, this practice is predominantly associated with the Iron Age and involves the arrangement of large stones to mark burial sites.
Statement 1 is Correct:
The practice of erecting megaliths began approximately 3000 years ago (around 1000 BCE). This timeline marks the transition into the Iron Age in Peninsular India, distinct from the earlier Neolithic or Chalcolithic phases.
Statement 2 is Incorrect:
While the practice was highly prevalent in the Deccan and South India, it was not restricted to these regions. Megalithic sites have also been discovered in North-East India and Kashmir (e.g., Burzahom). The statement is incorrect because it limits the distribution "only" to South India and the Deccan.
Statement 3 is Correct:
Megaliths were primarily used to mark burial sites. These large stone boulders were carefully arranged on the surface to serve as markers for underground burials (such as cists, pit burials, or urns), allowing people to locate the specific spots later.
Key Takeaway:
The Megalithic culture in India is characterized by Iron Age implements, Black and Red Ware (BRW) pottery, and a distribution that spans South India, the Deccan, Kashmir, and the North-East.