The name given to the fossil hominid of the Shivalik hills in India is Ramapithecus. Ramapithecus is an extinct hominid species that lived around 14 to 12 million years ago in the Miocene epoch. It is considered to be one of the earliest ancestors of humans.


Ramapithecus:
- Ramapithecus was first discovered in the 1930s in the Shivalik hills of northern India. The fossils found belonged to a primate that shared both ape and human-like characteristics.
- The name "Ramapithecus" is derived from the Hindu god Lord Rama and the Greek word "pithecus," which means ape. This name was given to the fossil hominid due to its significance in the early stages of human evolution.
- Ramapithecus was initially believed to be a direct ancestor of humans, but further research and discoveries have led to a better understanding of its evolutionary position.

Evolutionary Significance:
- Ramapithecus was initially considered to be a direct ancestor of humans due to its dental and cranial similarities. The shape and size of its teeth were similar to those of early humans, suggesting a possible connection.
- However, later studies and advancements in the field of paleoanthropology have shown that Ramapithecus is more closely related to the orangutan than to humans.
- The discovery of more complete fossil remains and the use of advanced techniques, such as molecular phylogenetics, have helped scientists reevaluate the evolutionary position of Ramapithecus.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the name given to the fossil hominid of the Shivalik hills in India is Ramapithecus. Although it was initially believed to be a direct ancestor of humans, further research has shown that it is more closely related to the orangutan. Ramapithecus holds significance in the study of human evolution as one of the early hominid species.