Prehistoric Period
of India
History is derived from the Greek word
"Historia," meaning inquiry or investigation
into past knowledge.
The study of history involves reconstructing
past events through various historical
Definition and Importance of History sources.
Historical sources are divided into non-
literary and literary sources, with non-
literary sources including artifacts like
coins and inscriptions.
Introduction to History and
Prehistory
Prehistory refers to the period before the
invention of writing, relying on
archaeological evidence.
Key archaeological findings include
pottery, stone tools, and metal
Understanding Prehistory implements from prehistoric sites.
The transition from prehistory to history is
marked by the protohistoric period, where
written records exist but remain
undeciphered.
The Stone Age marks the beginning of the
prehistoric age in India, spanning from
approximately 200,000 BC to 2500 BC.
Early humans lived as hunter-gatherers,
Stone Age Overview gradually transitioning to settled life.
The Stone Age is categorized into three
main phases: Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and
Neolithic.
The Paleolithic Age ranges from 300,000
BC to 10,000 BC, characterized by the use
of crude stone tools.
The term "Paleolithic" comes from Greek,
meaning "old stone," highlighting the
significance of stone tools.
Major archaeological evidence from this
period includes hand axes, choppers, and
various sites across India, such as the
Bhimbetka caves.
This phase covers 300,000 BC to 100,000
BC, during the Ice Age, with humans
primarily as hunters and gatherers.
Lower Paleolithic Phase Tools were rough and heavy, made from
limestone and other stones.
Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age)
Significant sites include Bor, Kashmir
Valley, and Rajasthan's desert areas.
Spanning from 100,000 BC to 40,000 BC,
this phase saw advancements in tool-
making with smaller, pointed tools.
Middle Paleolithic Phase Tools were used for hunting smaller
animals and meat cutting.
Key sites include the Narmada River and
Tungabhadra River regions.
This phase, from 40,000 BC to 10,000 BC,
Phases of the Prehistoric Period coincided with the end of the Ice Age and
in India the emergence of modern humans.
Technological advancements included
Upper Paleolithic Phase needles, fishing tools, and parallel-sided
blades.
Evidence of these tools has been found
across various regions, including Andhra
Pradesh and Gujarat.
The Mesolithic Age, from 10,000 BC to
6000 BC, is marked by climate changes
leading to the development of grasslands.
The term "Mesolithic" combines Greek
words meaning "middle stone," indicating
a transitional phase.
Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age) Microliths, small stone tools, became
prominent during this period, used for
hunting and gathering.
The first human colonization of the Ganges
Plain occurred during this age.
Microliths were made from fine-grained
Characteristics of Mesolithic Culture rocks and used for composite tools.
Significant sites include Mirzapur,
Rajasthan's Baghor, and various river
valleys.
The Neolithic Age, from 6000 BC to 1000
BC, marks a significant shift to agriculture
and settled life.
The term "Neolithic" means "new stone,"
reflecting advancements in tool-making.
This period saw the introduction of
polished stone tools and the beginning of
Neolithic Age (New Stone Age) agricultural practices.
Crops such as rice, wheat, and barley were
cultivated, alongside animal
domestication.
Pottery making emerged, with various
Agricultural Developments styles like grayware and black burnished
ware.
Settlements began to form, leading to the
establishment of early villages.
The Chalcolithic Age, from 2000 BC to 500
BC, represents a transition between the
Neolithic and the Bronze Age.
This period is characterized by the use of
copper tools alongside stone tools.
Chalcolithic Period (Copper- The culture is primarily rural, with evidence
Stone Age) Overview of the Chalcolithic Age of animal husbandry and early settlements.
The society was not urban but rather
village-based, with social inequalities
emerging.
Burial practices included interring bodies
Cultural Characteristics with pottery and copper objects.
Significant archaeological sites include
Gilund in Rajasthan and various sites in
Maharashtra.
The Megalithic Period, from 1000 BC to
500 BC, is defined by the construction of
large stone structures.
"Megalith" means "big stone," and these
structures served as memorials or burial
sites.
Introduction to the Megalithic Culture The culture is particularly prominent in
Southern India, with various types of
megalithic graves.
Megalithic structures can be categorized
into monolithic and polythetic types.
Common features include burial practices
Features of Megalithic Structures involving pottery and iron tools.
Megalithic Period
Archaeological evidence indicates social
stratification among the buried individuals.
The prehistoric period in India
encompasses the Stone Age, Copper Age,
and Iron Age.
This era witnessed significant
developments in human evolution and
Conclusion societal structures.
The transition from prehistory to history is
marked by the emergence of the
Harappan civilization, which will be
explored in future discussions.
