Notes On Pre-Historic Period

Ancient India

Ancient India can be studied under other heads  like Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Chalcolithic period – based on the type of stone/ metal tools people used.There were activities of proto humans (Homo erectus) in the Indian subcontinent 20 lakh years (2 million years) ago, and of Homo sapiens since 70,000 BC. But they were gathers/hunters.The first inhabitants of Indian subcontinent might have been tribals like Nagas (North-East), Santhals (East-India), Bhils (Central India), Gonds (Central India), Todas (South India) etc. Most of them are speakers of the Austric, pre-Dravidian languages, such as Munda and Gondvi. Dravidians and Aryans are believed to be immigrants who came later to the sub-continent.

Paleolithic Period (2 million BC – 10,000 BC)

Fire,

Tools made up of lime stone,

Ostrich Eggs,

Important Paleolithic sites : Bhimbetka (M.P), Hunsgi, Kurnool Caves, Narmada Valley (Hathnora, M.P), Kaladgi Basin

Mesolithic Period (10,000 BC – 8,000 BC)

Major Climatic Change happened

Domestication of animals ie Cattle rearing started

Microliths found at Brahmagiri (Mysore), Narmada, Vindya, Gujarat

Neolithic Period (8000 BC – 4,000 BC)

Agriculture Started,

Wheel discovered,

Inamgaon = An early village,

Important Neolithic Sites : Burzahom(Kashmir), Gufkral(Kashmir), Mehrgarh(Pakistan), Chirand(Bihar), Daojali Hading(Tripura/Assam), Koldihwa(UP), Mahagara(UP), Hallur(AP), Paiyampalli(AP), Maski, Kodekal, Sangana Kaller, Utnur, Takkala Kota.

NB: Megalithic Sites: Brahmagiri, Adichanallur

Chalcolithic Period (4000 BC – 1,500 BC)

Copper Age, can be considered part of Bronze Age. (Bronze = Copper + Tin)

Indus Valley Civilization (BC 2700 – BC 1900).

Also cultures at Brahmagiri, Navada Toli (Narmada region), Mahishadal (W.Bengal), Chirand (Ganga region)

Iron Age (BC 1500 – BC 200)

Vedic Period (Arrival of Aryans ie. BC 1600 – BC 600) – Nearly 1000 years (Basic books of Hinduism, ie Vedas were composed, might have written down later.)

Later Vedic Age ( 1000-600 BC)

- Later Vedic Age- Also known as PGW (Painted Grey Ware)- Iron Age

- They knew two seas- The Arabian and the Indian Ocean

- Gandak was known as 'Sadanira'

- Position of Women Declined

- Earliest reference to four ashrams or four stages of life- found in 'Jabala Upanishad'

Society

Eight Types of Marriages

1. Brahma: Marriage of a duly dowried girl to a man of the same verna.

2. Daiva: Father gives the daughter to the priest as a part of his fee.

3. Arsa: A Token bride price of a cow and a bull is given as dowry.

4. Prajapati: Marriage- without dowry and bride price.

5. Gandharva: By consent of two parties analogous to modern love marriage.

6. Asura: Marriage by Purchase

7. Rakshsa: Marriage by Capture

8. Paishacha: Seduction of a girl while asleep, mentally deranged or drunk.

Marriage on the Basis of Varna

1. Anuloma: Marriage of a man in his verna or below his verna

2. Pratiloma: Marriage of a girl or woman in lower rank than his own verna.

Polity

The term 'Rastra' First appeared in this period.

Economy: Rice is called 'Vrihi' 

- Niksha, Satmana, Krsnala-were used as convenient units of values, but were not coins.

Four Types of Pottery

- Black and Red ware

- Black and Slipped ware

- Painted grey ware

- Red ware

Religion:

Prajapati ( the creator) comes to occupy supreme position.

- Rudra and Vishnu gained their position

Vedas: First three vedas are called "Trayi"-three fold knowledge.

Rigveda: Recited by Priest 'Hotri'-1028 Hyms (10 Mandals) -Atraya and Kaushitak Brahamns are attached to it.

Samveda: Receited by Priest 'Udgatri'- All the verses except 75 taken from Rigveda- Tandayam and Janmejaya Brahamns are attached to it.

Yajur Veda: Receited by 'Ardhyawahu'- Procedure for performance of sacrifice. Shatpath and Taitriya Brahamns are attached to it.

Athrva Veda: Magical Formulae and sacrifices 

Brahamnas: Science of Sacrifice

Aranyaks: Forest Books: Meant for forest dwelling hermits

Upanishads: Upanishad means the inner or mystic teaching. The term Upanishad is derived from upa (near), ni (down) and s(h)ad (to sit), i.e., sitting down near. Groups of pupils sit near the teacher to learn from him the secret doctrine. In the quietude of the forest hermitages

Vedangas

- Shiksha ( Phonetics)

- Kalpa ( Ritualistic Science)

- Jyotish ( Astronomy)

- Vyakarana ( Grammar)

- Nirukta ( Etymology)

- Chhanda (Metrics)

(Nirukta from Yaksha is the oldest Indian Linguistic Text)

Sutra:

Shranta Sutra: Large public sacrifices

Guhya Sutra: Birth, Naming, Marriages

Salva Sutra: Measurement

Upaveda:

- Aurveda

- Dhaurveda

- Gandharvaveda

- Shilpaveda

Rituals and Sacrifices

Rajasuya: Royal consecration, conferred supreme powers on him

Ashwamedha:Horse Sacrifice' that King Dasharath is supposed to have performed.

Vajpaye: Race of horces (chariots)

Vritasyoma: to convert a Nishd into Arya