Ancient India

7 Highlights of India's Prehistoric Ages

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7 Highlights of India's Prehistoric Ages

Definition & Features

Derived from Greek: Chalco (Copper) + Lithic (Stone) = Copper-Stone Age.
Marked by the use of copper alongside stone tools.
The transitional phase from Neolithic to metal use.
First use of copper: ~5000 BCE.
Evolution:

Copper → Bronze (Copper + Tin/Zinc/Lead) → Gold/Silver → Iron

Geographical Extent

North India: Neolithic → Chalcolithic → Iron Age.
South India: Neolithic → directly to Iron Age (Copper largely absent).

II. Chronology of Chalcolithic Cultures

Phase	Period (BCE)	Notable Features
Pre-Harappan	3500 – 2500	Transitional, local cultures laying the Harappan base
Harappan	2500 – 1750	Urban Copper Age civilization
Post-Harappan	2000 – 1000	Regional Chalcolithic rural cultures

III. Important Chalcolithic Cultures (Post-Harappan)

Culture	Region	Period (BCE)	Key Sites & Notes
Ahar/Banas	SE Rajasthan	2100–1500	Ahar, Gilund (baked bricks)
Kayatha	W. Madhya Pradesh	2000–1800	Kayatha, Tripuri, Ujjain
Sawalda	W. Maharashtra	2000–1800	Sawalda
Prabhaspattan	SW Gujarat	1800–1500	Prabhaspattan
Malwa/Nevada Toli	W. MP (Malwa)	1700–1200	Newada Toli, Maheshwar, Nagda
Chirand	W. Bihar	1500–750	Chirand, Sonpur
Jorwe	W. Maharashtra	1400–700	Jorwe, Inamgaon, Daimabad, Chandoli
Rangpur	Mid-Gujarat	1400–750	Rangpur

IV. Harappan (Indus Valley) Civilization

(2500 BCE – 1750 BCE) Also called the Indus-Saraswati Civilization

Important Sites and Features

Site	River	Features
Harappa	Ravi	Granaries, cemetery R-37, male torso, wheat, barley
Mohenjodaro	Indus	Great Bath, Granary, Dancing girl (bronze), Priest-King, seals
Lothal	Bhogava	Dockyard, fire altars, horse figurine, double burial
Kalibangan	Ghaggar	Ploughed field, fire altars
Banawali	Ghaggar	Toy plough, mother goddess figurine
Dholavira	Luni	3-part town, water system, largest inscription, stadium
Surkotada	—	Horse remains, oval graves.
Daimabad	—	Bronze chariot, ox, elephant, rhinoceros

Trade

Imports: Gold (Kolar), Copper (Khetri), Tin (Afghanistan), Lapis (Badakshan)
Exports: Cotton textiles, terracotta, beads, conch shells, ivory

V. Iron Age Transition

Literary Evidence

Early Vedic: Ayas = generic metal.
Later Vedic:
- Lohit Ayas = Copper
- Krishna/Shyama Ayas = Iron
Iron ploughs referenced in Atharva Veda, Shatapatha Brahmana, Suttanipata

Archaeological Evidence

The use of iron began around 1000 BCE in the Gangetic Valley.
Extensive by 600 BCE.
Enabled second urbanization (1st was Harappan).

Important Iron Sites

State	Archaeological Sites (Archaeological Remains)
Uttar Pradesh	Ataranjikhera, Jakhera, Ahichhatra, Hastinapur
Rajasthan	Noh, Jodhpura
Madhya Pradesh	Kayatha, Eran, Nagda
Bihar	Chirand, Sonpur
West Bengal	Pandu Rajar Dhibi, Mahishadal
Maharashtra	Naikund, Bahai, Junapani, Mahurjhari
Karnataka	Hallur
Tamil Nadu	Paiyyampalli, Adichchanallur

VI. Iron-Age Cultures (Iron-Using)

Culture	Period (BCE)	Features	Area
PGW	1000–600	Painted Grey Ware pottery	Punjab, Haryana, UP, N. Rajasthan
NBPW	600–300	Highly polished black ware pottery	Gangetic plains to Deccan
Megalithic	800–500	Stone burials, iron use	Mainly South India

Click to get full-length Content on the Iron Age (1,000 BC–500 BC)

Final Thoughts

The Chalcolithic and subsequent ages mark a significant transition in human history, showcasing the evolution from stone tools to the use of metals like copper, bronze, and eventually iron.

Beginning with the Chalcolithic Age—an intermediary phase between the Neolithic and the Iron Age—societies developed regional cultures across the Indian subcontinent, particularly flourishing in North India.

The rise and fall of the Harappan Civilization during this period stands as a hallmark of early urban culture and trade. The eventual advent of iron technology around 1000 BC catalyzed agricultural expansion and urbanization in the Gangetic plains, laying the groundwork for the second urban revolution in India.

This progression from rural settlements to complex cities reflects a deepening of socio-economic and cultural complexity, forming the foundation of historic Indian civilization.

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