Ancient India

THE LATER VEDIC  PERIOD (1000 - 600 B.C.) 1-  The period assigned to later Vedic phase is 1000 B.c. to 600 B.C. 2- These communites used a particular kind of pottery called the Painted Grey Ware (PGW). 3-  More than sites have been found in the upper Ganga basin. Some imprtant PGW sites are Atranji khera, Ahichhatra, Hastinapur, Kurukshetra, Bhagwanpura  and Jakhera. 4-  Iron objects are common to most PGW sites. This metal was introduced around 1000 - 800 B.C.  It is mentioned as Ayas. 5-  Society was clearly divided in four Varnas namely - Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudras. 6-  The upper classes were known as Dvij (twice born). 5-  Education begin with investiture ceremony (upanayana). 6-  Gotra first appeared in Atharvaveda with the meaning of clan. 7-  There was practice of class exogamy. 8-  There was reference to sati but not in common fashion. 9-  Indra and ...

THE EARLY VEDIC PERIOD (1500 - 1000 B.C)                            1-  It is also known as  Rig Vedic Age. 2-  Rig Vedic Age gives us knowledege about the Aryans they were come India from central Asia(Stepped region). 3- The earliest Aryans lived in the land of ' Sapta Sindhava ' i.e., land of seven rivers. 4-  The early vedic society was pastoral. 5-  Cattle was the cheif measure of wealth and wealthy man was called 'Gomat'. 6-  The term Aghanya or not to be killed has been used for cows. 7-  The Raja or chief is called 'Gopati' . 8-  In the Rigveda Godhuli is used as a term for a measure of time. 9-  Apart from Yava or Barley no other grain is mentioned. 10-  Indra was the greatest god of Aryans. Agni occupied the second position. 11-  Varuna occupied the third postion and he personfied water. 12- Th...

1-  According to radio carbon dating Harappan civilization developed between 2500 B.C to 1750 B.C. 2- Indus civilization is also called as Harappan civilization developed be first excavated site is Harappa. 3-  It belongs to the Bronze Age. 4- It extended from Manda(Jammu) in North to Daimabad in South. 5-  Major settlements are in the Ghaggar-Hakra belt. 6-  Copper, bronze, silver,gold were known but not iron. 7-  Seals were made up of steatite. 8-  Majority of the seals have an animal engraved on it with a short inscription. The most frequently found animal is unicorn bull. 9-  Camel bones have been discovered at kalibangan. 10-  They worshipped, Proto-Shiva, Mother-Goddess, Bull, and Pipal tree. 11-  Important sites are Harappa, Mohenjodero, Lothal, Kalibangan, Baanwali, Dholavira. 12- At   Kalibangan   and  Lothal fire altars have been discovered. 13-  Furrowed fi...

                                                              1-  The term ' Neolithic' was coined by Sir John   Lubbock in his book ''Pre Historic Times' . 2-  Neolithic men culivated land and grew fruits and corn like ragi and horse gram. They                domesticated cattle, sheep and goat. 3-  Important sites are Gufkaral, Burzahom,  Chirand, Mehargarh, Piklihal.  4-  Chopani Mando provides the earilest  evidence of the use of pottery in the  world.

  1-  The Mesolithic Age began 8,ooo B.C.   2- It was the transitional phase between the Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic age.   3-  Blade, Mesolithic tools are microliths.   4-  Blade, Core, Point, Triangle, Lunate  and  Trapeze are the main types of  Mesolithic tools.   5-  Important sites of Mesolithic Age are  Bagor, langhraj, Sarai Nahar and  Birbhanpur.                               6-  Sites like Bhimbetka, Adamgarh and  Mirzapur are rich in Mesolithic Art.       

                          PALEOLITHIC AGE                        (250,000-10,000 B.C)                                               The pre-historic phase can be roughly diveded into 3 parts-                                     1- Paleolithic     2- Mesolithic    3- Neolithic                                                                                         PALEOLITHIC  AGE  ...

1- Literary Source: Vedic,Sanskriti,Pali,Prakrit and other literature and foreign accounts.    2- Archeological: Epigraphic,nimismatic and architectural remains, archaelogical explorations and excavations                                            1- study of development of scripts: Paleography     2- study of inscriptions:  Epigraphy   3- study of coins:  Numismatics   4- study of monuments,material   remains:    Archeology                                                                           LITERARY  SOURCES  Indian Tradition Of History Writing   1- Many foreign scholars opin...