Manual History 1P 53d3f65a8e995

General Studies Manualfor

UPSC and State Public Services Examinations

2014

Indian HistoryModule-1: From Earliest Times to Indus Valley Civilization

www.gktoday.in

First Published in 2010

Last Updated: November 2013

2010-2013 Suresh Soni | All Rights Reserved

DDisclaimer

Vinesh Singh | [email protected] | 4728

General Studies Manual for UPSC and State HHistory--11:: From Earliest Times to Indus Valley Civilization

2010-2013 Suresh Soni | All Rights Reserved | Email: [email protected]

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ContentsArchaeology & Ethnoarcheology .......................................................................................... 4Prehistoric Period: Classification .......................................................................................... 4

Chapter 2. Palaeolithic Era ....................................................................................................4Sohanian culture ................................................................................................................... 5Acheulian culture .................................................................................................................. 5

Technology in Acheulian Culture .................................................................................................... 6Middle Palaeolithic Era ......................................................................................................... 6

Tools of middle Palaeolithic Era...................................................................................................... 6Upper Palaeolithic Era .......................................................................................................... 7Tools of Upper Palaeolithic Era............................................................................................. 7

Chapter 3. Mesolithic Era ......................................................................................................8Tools of Mesolithic Era.................................................................................................................... 8

Changes in Life- Mesolithic Era ............................................................................................ 9From Nomadism to Sedentary settlements ..................................................................................... 9First Disposal of dead and making of Graves................................................................................... 9Emerging arts.................................................................................................................................. 9Food Production.............................................................................................................................. 9

Chapter 4. Neolithic Revolution, Mehrgarh Culture and Chalcolithic Era..........................10Mehrgarh Culture................................................................................................................10

First Period....................................................................................................................................10Second Period ...............................................................................................................................11Third Period ..................................................................................................................................11Fourth Period ................................................................................................................................11Fifth Period ...................................................................................................................................11Sixth Period...................................................................................................................................11Seventh Period ..............................................................................................................................11Eighth Period ................................................................................................................................12

Chalcolithic Period..............................................................................................................12Chapter 5. Indus Valley Civilization.....................................................................................12

Notable Observations..........................................................................................................13The questions of Origin of Indus Valley Civilization............................................................13Salient Common Features of Entire Civilization .................................................................13Observations about Harappa and Mohen Jo-dero...............................................................14

Great Bath .....................................................................................................................................14Observations about other sites ............................................................................................14Life at Indus Valley Civilization ...........................................................................................15

Administration ..............................................................................................................................15Language ......................................................................................................................................16Religion.........................................................................................................................................16Protoshiva or Pashupati ................................................................................................................16Linga Worship ..............................................................................................................................17Tree Worship and other rituals .....................................................................................................17Talisman .......................................................................................................................................17Food: .............................................................................................................................................17Dress: ............................................................................................................................................17Sports and Entertainments: ..........................................................................................................17Tools, arms and weapons: .............................................................................................................17Science & Technology...................................................................................................................17Burial Practice...............................................................................................................................18Economy .......................................................................................................................................18Agriculture ....................................................................................................................................18Animal Husbandry ........................................................................................................................18




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Transportation ..............................................................................................................................19Foreign Affairs ..............................................................................................................................19Consumer Affairs ..........................................................................................................................19Finance, Business and Industry.....................................................................................................19Metallurgy .....................................................................................................................................19Pottery...........................................................................................................................................19Seals ..............................................................................................................................................20

Question of Decline of Indus Valley Civilization..................................................................20Environmental Changes:...............................................................................................................20Aryan Invasion: .............................................................................................................................21

Introduction

th century

Laos .-

th

th

10-

Origin of ManThe origin of man begins in the Miocene period, around twenty million years ago, when the great apes, from whom the humans evolved, flourished in large areas of the Old World. Proto humans appeared in the Pliocene period, around five million years ago, and their cultural evolution largely took place during the Pleistocene period, which began about two million years ago. While biologically humans differ from the other apes in their upright posture, ability to walk on two feet or hind limbs, extremely versatile hand, and an unusually powerful brain, culturally they differ in their ability to manufacture and use tools.




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-

AArchaeology & Ethnoarcheology

multi-

palaeonto

non-hunting-

Prehistoric Period: Classification

lithic-

Chapter 1. Palaeolithic Era

assem

Absolute and Relative ChronologyChronology of the past can be either relative or absolute. Relative chronology dates prehistoric events in relation to other events and geological deposits. The relative chronology tells us if a particular event is earlier or later than another event. On the other hand, the Absolute chronology dates events and phenomena in solar calendar years. The techniques such as Radiocarbon, K/Ar, fission tracks, thermoluminescence, TH230/U234 and dendrochronology are the techniques of absolute chronology. Out of then, the dendrochronology is applicable only to a period of a few thousand years and only in the few areas where old wood samples have been preserved. Then, the radiocarbon dating can date events up to sixty thousand years old. The other methods can, however, date events belonging to the entire prehistoric period. However, their application is dependent on the availability of suitable materials such as volcanic ash and rock at archaeological sites.




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cheulian

SSohanian culture

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our-

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Acheulian culture

Acheul

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Palaeolithic Period: Some Observations to Note The Palaeolithic period is further divided into three sub-periods, namely lower,

middle and upper. Most Paleolithic sites in India developed in the Pleistocene period. The tools made were generally of hard rock quartzite so the Paleolithic man was

called Quartzite Man. The term Paleolithic was coined by archaeologist John Lubbock in 1865. It literally

means "Old Stone Age." It was marked by the hunting gathering nature. Paleolithic Age spanned from 100000 years ago till 10000 years ago. It is divided into 3

ages viz. lower Paleolithic age which spans till 100000 years ago. Middle Paleolithic which spans from 100000 years ago till 40000 years and upper

Paleolithic which spans from 40,000 years to 10000 years ago. Paleolithic tools were club, sharpened stone, chopper, hand axe, scraper, spear, Bow

and arrow, harpoon, needle, scratch awl etc.

Important Palaeolithic sites in India: Lingsugur in Raichur district, Karnataka was the first

site to be discovered from India. Lidder river Pahalgam , Kashmir Sohan valley Punjab, Banks of River Beas, Bangagnga Sirsa Haryana, Chittorgarh and Kota, Rajasthan, River Wagoon, Kadamali basins Rajasthan. River Sabaramati and Mahi basins (Rajasthan &

Gujarat), Basins of river tapti, Godavari, Bhima and Krishna Koregaon, Chandoli and shikarpur (Maharashtra), River Raro (Jharkhand), River Suvarnrekha (Orissa), Ghatprabha River Basin (Karnataka). Pahalgam , Jammu & Kashmir Belan Valley, Allahabad Sinsgi Talav, Didwana , Nagaur Rajasthan Hunsgi, Gulbarga in karnataka. Attirampakkam in Tamilnadu




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-.

-

-

Technology in Acheulian Culture

MMiddle Palaeolithic Era

experien However,

Tools of middle Palaeolithic Era

fine-gr

Middle Palaeolithic Sites in India Luni valley, around Didwana, Budha Pushkar in Rajasthan Valleys of the Belan, Son river, Narmada river and their

tributaries in central India Some sparse sites in Chota Nagpur platea, Deccan plateau and

Eastern Ghats




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UUpper Palaeolithic Era

v -

w

south-eastern

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Tools of Upper Palaeolithic Era

arallel-

b

The Upper Palaeolithic period has recorded a rich panorama of fossils in the peninsular rivers of India. One important discovery is of the ostrich egg shells at over 40 sites in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, which shows that ostrich, a bird adapted to arid climate, was widely distributed in western India during the later part of the upper Pleistocene.

Bhimbetka Rock SheltersBhimbetka rock shelters are located in Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh, 45 km south of Bhopal at the southern edge of the Vindhyachal hills. These served as shelters for Paleolithic age man for more than 1 lakh years. This is the most exclusive Paleolithic site in India which contains the rock carvings and paintings. These paintings belong to the Paleolithic, Mesolithic ages, Chalcolithic, early-historic and even medieval times. Bhimbetka is a World heritage Site.

Please note that it was earlier considered to be a Buddhist site and was later recognized as Paleolithic site by Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar who is now also called "father of rock art in India ". Bhimbetka Rock shelters were included in the world heritage list in 1970




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su

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Chapter 2. Mesolithic Era

Tools of Mesolithic Era

Microliths

Hunting-

new

The early period of Mesolithic age marks the hunting, fishing and food gathering which turn to hunting, fishing, food gathering as well as domesticating the animals.




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CChanges in Life- Mesolithic EraFrom Nomadism to Sedentary settlements

First Disposal of dead and making of Graves

come

i

Emerging arts

Food Production-

Mesolithic Era: Important Points Agriculture had not fully developed. The earliest evidence of domestication of animals has been provided by Adamagarh in

Madhya Pradesh and Bagor in Rajasthan. A study has also suggested cultivation of plants around 7000-6000 years back near Sambhar lake in Ajmer Rajasthan.

The Pachpadra basin and Sojat Area of Rajasthan is a rich Mesolithic sites and lot of microliths have been discovered.

Bagor in Rajasthan is the almost largest Mesolithic site in India. Another major Mesolithic site in Rajasthan is Tilwara.

In Guajarat some places on the banks of river Sabarmati are Mesolithic sites which include the Akhaj, Valsana, Hirpur, Langhanj etc.

Sarai Nahar Rai in Allahabad-Pratapgarh of Uttar Pradesh is a Mesolithic site. Other sites in Uttar Pradesh are Morhana Pahar and lekkahia.

In Madhya Pradesh Bhimbetka along with Adamgarh are major Mesolithic sites. In Jharkhand Chhota nagpur plateau is a major Mesolithic site in India. In Orissa Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundergarh is a major Mesolithic site in India. In south India Godavari basin is rich in microliths, The rock painting of Mesolithic period is found in Adamgarh, Bhimbetka of Madhya

Pradesh and Pratapgarh, Mirzapur of Rajasthan. Apart from the animals, hunting scenes, the Mesolithic sites have also painting of social life, sexual activity, child birth, rearing of children and burial ceremony.




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Chapter 3. Neolithic Revolution, Mehrgarh Culture and Chalcolithic Era

-

MMehrgarh CultureMehrgarh ure-

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First Period

-

-




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Second Period-

wheel-

Third Period

sphaerococcum fields

manufacture

O wasstarted

Fourth Period

E

Fifth Period

Sixth Period

Seventh Periodfigurines

Civilization.

TD




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E

Eighth Period - -

Mehrgarh.

CChalcolithic Period

-

Chapter 4. Indus Valley CivilizationT h

I




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Kashmir

NNotable Observations

cover

The questions of Origin of Indus Valley Civilization

).

Salient Common Features of Entire Civilization

U




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OObservations about Harappa and Mohen Jo-deroH -Daro

Mohenjo-

-w

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Great Batho-

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Observations about other sitesarea

-

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Surkotada-

harcamel

-Dholavira

Harappa

orn

-Ala

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Site Point to be NotedDholavira Signboard, 3 citadels with improved inner enclosureSuktagendor, Lothal and Balakot Coastal Cities and Port TownsSurkotda Horse BonesKalibangan Ploughed Field, Bones of Camel, Circular and Rectangular Graves, Neither Baked Bricks nor a

Drainage system. Lothal 6 sections in city, Artificial dockyard, Entry from the main street instead of lateral entry that

was common, The vase depicting a thirsty crow as been found at Lothal.Lothal and Rangpur Rice Husk

LLife at Indus Valley CivilizationAdministration

-




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-

socio- - -

Language

(probab right )proto- -

Religion

.

Protoshiva or Pashupati

--

headd




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Linga Worship

Tree Worship and other rituals

charmers.

Talisman-ra

Food:

Dress: -

Sports and Entertainments:

Tools, arms and weapons:

Science & Technology




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Hara

Burial Practice

Economy

Agriculture

bar

Animal Husbandry

y.




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Transportation

Foreign Affairs

IndiaMeluha

Consumer Affairs

India.

-

Finance, Business and Industry

-

MetallurgyGold,

Pottery




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Seals

-

QQuestion of Decline of Indus Valley Civilization

Environmental Changes:

decli




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Aryan Invasion:

Hariyupiyah Vrcivans,-

henjo-

around


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Manual History 1P 53d3f65a8e995