Medieval India

Prehistoric India: The Stone Age (Paleolithic to Neolithic)

Introduction

History is divided into three parts: Pre-history, Proto-history, and History. The phase we are starting today is Pre-historic India—a time when there were no written records, and human life depended entirely on nature and stone tools.

In India, the research on the Stone Age began when Robert Bruce Foote discovered the first Palaeolithic tool (a hand axe) at Pallavaram (near Chennai) in 1863.

The Stone Age is divided into three main periods based on the type of stone tools used:

1. Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age)

  • Timeline: Unknown to 10,000 BC.
  • Lifestyle: Humans were hunters and food gatherers. They did not know agriculture or fire in the early stages.
  • Tools: Large, rough, and unpolished stone tools (Hand axes, Cleavers).
  • Key Sites:
    • Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh): Famous for prehistoric rock paintings showing hunting scenes.
    • Belan Valley (UP): Important for animal fossils.
    • Soan Valley (Pakistan): Early stone tools found here.
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UPSC Fact: The Homo Sapiens (modern man) first appeared in the last phase of this age (Upper Paleolithic).

2. Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age)

  • Timeline: 10,000 BC to 6,000 BC.
  • The Transition: The climate became warmer, leading to better flora and fauna.
  • Key Invention (Microliths): Humans started using very small, sharp stone tools called Microliths (1-8 cm), often attached to wood or bone to make arrows or spears.
  • First Domestication: Evidence of animal domestication (livestock) is found in Adamgarh (MP) and Bagor (Rajasthan).

3. Neolithic Age (New Stone Age)

  • Timeline: 6,000 BC to 1,000 BC.
  • The Revolution: This phase marks the beginning of settled life. Man became a Food Producer (Agriculture) instead of a Food Gatherer.
  • Inventions: The Wheel was invented, and pottery making started.
  • Key Sites:
    • Mehrgarh (Balochistan): Earliest evidence of agriculture (Wheat & Barley).
    • Burzahom (Kashmir): Pit-dwelling houses (living underground) and dogs buried with masters.
    • Koldihwa (UP): Earliest evidence of Rice cultivation.

Conclusion

The Stone Age laid the foundation for civilization. The transition from using raw stones to agriculture in the Neolithic age prepared the ground for India’s first urbanization—The Indus Valley Civilization, which we will cover in the next chapter.