Ideal for School, College students and UPSC/ APSC Aspirants
Compiled by: Dr Bhaskar Bora
Prehistoric culture in India refers to the period before written records were invented. It is divided into three main phases: the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age.
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- Stone Age:
The Stone Age in India is further divided into three phases: the Paleolithic, the Mesolithic, and the Neolithic.
 – Paleolithic Age: tools were made of stone and were used for hunting and gathering.
 – Mesolithic Age: tools were smaller and more refined, indicating a shift towards agriculture and domestication of animals. Paintings and rock art also emerged during this period.
 – Neolithic Age: people started to settle down and practice agriculture, leading to the rise of early civilizations.
- Bronze Age:
The Bronze Age in India was characterized by the use of bronze tools and weapons. The Indus Valley Civilization is the most famous example of this period, with sophisticated urban culture and advanced technologies such as sewage systems and town planning.
- Iron Age:
The Iron Age in India saw the emergence of iron tools and weapons, leading to more efficient agriculture and warfare. The Vedic civilization and other early kingdoms like the Mauryas and the Guptas flourished during this period.
Overall, prehistoric culture in India was marked by the development of agriculture, domestication of animals, social stratification, and the emergence of early civilizations. It laid the foundation for the rich cultural and historical heritage that India is renowned for today.
Prehistoric culture in India refers to the archaeological evidence of human activity in the Indian subcontinent before the emergence of the Indus Valley Civilization around 2600 BCE.
- Paleolithic Period: The earliest evidence of human habitation in India comes from the Paleolithic period, around 2.6 million years ago. The stone tools and hunting and gathering practices of early humans have been found in the regions of Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh) and Tamil Nadu.
- Mesolithic Period: The Mesolithic period, also known as the Middle Stone Age, saw the emergence of agriculture and the domestication of animals. The evidence of this period can be found in the Bhimbetka rock shelters, Bagor (Rajasthan), Adamgarh (Madhya Pradesh), and several other places.
- Neolithic Period: The Neolithic period, also known as the New Stone Age, saw the emergence of agriculture, pottery, and the domestication of animals. The evidence of this period can be found in Mehrgarh (Balochistan), Burzahom (Kashmir), and Chirand (Bihar).
- Chalcolithic Period: The Chalcolithic period, also known as the Copper Age, saw the emergence of metal tools and the use of copper and bronze for manufacturing. The evidence of this period can be found in Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, and several other places in the Indus Valley.
- Megalithic Period: The Megalithic period, also known as the Iron Age, saw the emergence of megalithic monuments and the use of iron for manufacturing. The evidence of this period can be found in several sites in south India, including Nilgiris, Bellary, and Karnataka.
Overall, the prehistoric culture in India was characterized by the gradual emergence of agriculture, technological advancements, and the development of the social organization and cultural practices. These developments laid the foundation for the emergence of the Indus Valley Civilization and subsequent cultural and civilizational developments in the Indian subcontinent.
Prehistoric culture in India covers the period between the emergence of human beings in India and the emergence of written records.
- Stone Age: The earliest period of Indian prehistory is the Stone Age. It is divided into three stages – the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age), Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), and Neolithic (New Stone Age) periods.
- Paleolithic Period (2,500,000 BCE – 8,000 BCE): During this period, human beings lived in caves and hunted animals for survival. They used stone tools and fire for cooking and warmth.
- Mesolithic Period (8,000 BCE – 4,000 BCE): During this period, human beings continued hunting and gathering but also started domesticating animals and plants. They began to use polished stone tools and created art in the form of cave paintings.
- Neolithic Period (4,000 BCE – 1,500 BCE): This period is also known as the agricultural revolution. Human beings began to cultivate crops and rear domestic animals. They settled in villages and created pottery and metal tools.
- Bronze Age (1,500 BCE – 600 BCE): During this period, human beings started using bronze to make tools and weapons. They developed trade networks and began to build fortified cities. The Indus Valley Civilization emerged during this period.
- Iron Age (600 BCE – 200 BCE): Human beings started using an iron to make tools and weapons. The Vedic Civilization emerged during this period.
- Megalithic Cultures (1400 BCE – 300 BCE): These cultures were characterized by the construction of large stone structures. They also practised agriculture and animal husbandry.
- Chalcolithic Age (2000 BCE – 700 BCE): This period marked the transition from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age. It is characterized by the use of copper and bronze tools and weapons. Chalcolithic cultures existed in different parts of India such as the Deccan and the Ganges valley.
Overall, prehistoric culture in India was marked by the gradual development of human society and the emergence of agriculture, settlement, and urbanization.
- The pre-historic era in India dates back to around 7000 BCE and extends up to the rise of the Indus Valley Civilization around 2500 BCE.
- The earliest evidence of human habitation in India has been found in the Soanian culture, named after the Soan Valley in present-day Pakistan.
- The Iranians were hunter-gatherers who relied on stone tools and fire for survival. They also used caves for shelter and left behind rock art depicting their daily life.
- Around 4000 BCE, the Mehrgarh culture emerged in present-day Pakistan. This was a settled agricultural community that cultivated wheat, barley, and cotton, and domesticated animals such as cattle and sheep.
- The Neolithic period in India saw the emergence of various cultures, such as the Jorwe culture in Maharashtra, the Chirand culture in Bihar, and the Koldihwa culture in Uttar Pradesh.
- The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan civilization, was one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world. It emerged around 2500 BCE and lasted until around 1500 BCE.
- The Harappan civilization was known for its large, well-planned cities, such as Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, that had impressive drainage and sanitation systems. They also had a writing system that has not been fully deciphered yet.
- The Harappan civilization had trade relations with Mesopotamia, Persia, and Central Asia. They were also skilled artisans who produced pottery, jewellery, and sculptures.
- The decline of the Harappan civilization is still a mystery, but factors such as environmental changes, natural disasters, and invasions by nomadic tribes have been suggested.
- The pre-historic period in India laid the foundation for subsequent cultures and civilizations that emerged in the region, such as the Vedic period and the Mauryan Empire.
The full document can be accessed through this link –
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:de4b41a7-ff4b-4236-9fd8-ff290b64b9ce
