Iron Age (1,000 BC–500 BC)

Iron Age (1,000 BC–500 BC)

The age in which men used implements of iron is known as the 'Iron Age'.

The 'Iron Age' in the world context began about 1,300 BC. The use of iron in India also began around this period.

Sub-Ages of the Iron Age in India

Based on the prevalence of iron, the Iron Age is divided into three sub-ages:

Literary Evidences

• The Aryans of the Early Vedic Period (Rigvedic Period) did not know iron.

• The word 'Ayas' is used in the Rig Veda, about which some scholars thought that this was iron metal. But it is a fact that the word 'Ayas' has been used in the general meaning of metal, not in the specific meaning of iron metal.

• The Aryans of the Later Vedic Period had knowledge of iron. In the texts of this period, two words, 'Lohit Ayas & Krishna (Shyama) Ayas', have been found.

• The 'Lohit Ayas' is used in the sense of copper metal, and 'Krishna (Shyama) Ayas' is used in the sense of iron metal.

• 'Krishna Yajurveda' (Taitariya Samhita) speaks of 6, 12, and 24 oxen yoked to the plough.

• Scholars estimate that such a plough of heavy weight and ploughshare must have been made from iron. In 'Atharva Veda, there is a clear-cut mention of the ploughshare of iron.

• In 'Shatapatha Brahmana', the relation of iron with the peasant class is established. It speaks at length about the ploughing rituals.

• The heating and cooling of the ploughshare is described in the Buddhist text 'Suttanipata', a part of the Khuddaka Nikaya of 'Sutta Pitaka.

• The Greek historian Herodotus mentioned in his book "Histories" that the Indian soldiers, who fought against the Greeks under the command of the Iranian emperor Xerxes in 480 BC, made use of the iron-tipped arrows for their bows.

• Based on these literary evidences, it can be said that the use of iron tools for agriculture began around 800 BC–700 BC in India.

Archaeological Evidences

• Based on archaeological evidence, it can be said that the use of iron in the Gangetic Valley of North India began about 1,000 BC, and by about 600 BC, the use of iron became more extensive.

• The use of iron tools in agricultural activities resulted in agricultural advancement.

• Now with the help of iron tools, the dense forests of the Gangetic valley of North India could be cleared, and the crops of paddy, sugarcane, cotton, wheat, barley, etc, were cultivated on a large scale.

• The enactment of Iron technology affected not only agricultural activities but also other aspects of life, like domestic industries, architecture, etc.

• According to some historians, the second urban revolution of ancient India, which was accomplished in the Gangetic valley at the time of Mahatma Buddha, was primarily dependent on the extension of iron technology (the first urban revolution – civilization of the Indus valley).

• In the 6th century BC, there were 16 Mahajanapadas in Northern India, of which 10 were inside the Gangetic valley and only 6 were outside the Gangetic valley. The capitals of these mahajanapadas were developed in the form of cities.

• The development of cities and archaeological finds of iron in the Gangetic valley clarified that iron technology played a central role in the urban revolution of the Gangetic valley.

Importance

• In brief, it can be said that the use of iron metal brought not only technical change but also cultural change.

• This iron metal played a key role in changing the Prehistoric period into the Historic period.

Iron-Implements Finding Sites

Final Thoughts

The Iron Age in India marked a turning point in technological and cultural development. Spanning from 1300 BC to 500 BC, this era witnessed the gradual spread of iron tools from limited regions to the heart of the Gangetic valley.

Supported by rich literary references and archaeological discoveries, iron's introduction revolutionized agriculture, enabled forest clearance, and played a key role in urbanization during the second urban revolution.

The widespread use of iron tools not only transformed economic life but also helped bridge the Prehistoric and Historic periods, laying the foundation for the rise of ancient Indian civilization.