History Optional (Paper 1 Section A) (Pre-History and Proto-History) by Rashid Yasin Sir

Model Answer

Question #1. Chalcolithic Culture was marked by both continuity and interregnum. Comment

The Chalcolithic Phase began around 2500 BC and was confined to the western and central parts of India having reserves of copper. The people during this phase led a settled community life marked with developed agricultural practices.

The Chalcolithic culture is broadly divided into two phases. The first phase is known as the Pre-Harappan Phase from 2500 BC to 2200 BC. This phase was followed by the Mature Harappan Phase that also included the use of bronze implements along with copper and stone. The Mature Harappan Phase was again followed by the Pre -Chalcolithic Phase corresponding with the Post Harappan Phase till 1500 BC. Throughout the Chalcolithic Phase, agriculture was continued to be practiced that led to a surplus of food grains which in turn created the requirement for more potteries. The Chalcolithic Phase was marked by wheel turned potteries marked by Black and Red Colours. Therefore, these potteries are technically known as Black and Red Ware (BRW).

During the Pre Harappan Phase of the Chalcolithic Culture, important development took place in the present state of Rajasthan, where copper was available in abundance. Copper and stone implements began to be used in the region of Banas Valley in present-day Rajasthan. Therefore, it also came to be termed as Banas Culture which attained its maturity during the Post Harappan Phase. In this region, two prominent sites named as Ahar and Gilund produced an abundant amount of copper. In fact, Ahar in the ancient times was named as Tambavati or Place Possessing Copper. Copper and stone implements facilitated the agricultural practices like digging the ground which resulted into a surplus agricultural produce. Apart from the copper implements, at some places copper hoards have also been found which indicate the popularity of this metal in the Chalcolithic period.

Chalcolithic Culture manifested in the region corresponding with modern Madhya Pradesh. In this region, copper and stone implements were found around the Malwa region and therefore it also came to be known as the Malwa Culture. The most prominent site of Malwa Culture is Eran where a large number of stone and copper implements have been found. Malwa Culture also attained its maturity in the Post Harappan Phase.

The third major zone of the Chalcolithic Culture corresponded with the present state of Maharashtra and this culture is locally termed as the Jorwe Culture. The two most prominent Chalcolithic sites of Jorwe Culture are Daimabad located in the present day district of Ahmednagar and Inamgaon located in present day district of Pune. In fact, among all the Chalcolithic sites, Daimabad is the most extensively excavated and documented site. The Jorwe Culture attained its full potential again in the Post Harappan phase where surplus agricultural produce led to a self-sufficient village economy.

In this way, it is clearly discernible that Chalcolithic Culture had a prolonged phase from Pre-Harappan to Harappan and Post-Harappan phase. In this long phase, the Chalcolithic Culture marked by self-sufficient village economy witnessed both continuity and interregnum

Question #2. Delineate and account for the regional characteristics of the Neolithic period in India.

In the Neolithic phase , the subsistence pattern of people got changed from hunting and gathering to agriculture., accompanied with regional variations where life settled and sedentary

The Neolithic Revolution was witnessed in the North Western part of India in a place called Mehrgarh. It provided evidence of food grain production and animal domestication which was evident by the large number of potteries found there. Similar evidence was found at Kili gul Mohammad.

Certain distinct features were seen in the Neolithic culture of Kashmir Valley in sites like Burzahom and Gufkral. People used stone tools and resided in pits.

Moreover, unique burial practices were seen in which domestic dogs were buried with their masters. Initially, the culture of these sites was aceramic in nature.

At the same time, at Burzahom and Gufkral, polished stone tools were found with rectangular polished blades attached with a small butt, indicating the killing of animals and use of flesh for subsistence, which was a regular practice.

Neolithic culture can be seen also in the North-Eastern corner of States like Assam and Manipur at a site named Daojali Hading, where evidence has been found of animal domestication and agriculture. Science of digging showed a unique feature here marked by the use of polished stone tools whereby the blade is attached with a long butt. This indicated that big mammals were hunted.

Similar evidence was seen at a neolithic site in Manipur named as Napchik.

Another major zone of this culture was witnessed in the Southern part, mostly confined to the Raichur Doab. Sites pertaining to this culture included Utnur, Piklihal, Maski etc.

The people of this culture used oval shaped polished stone tools with a large butt, which was used to hunt animals and even used in warfare.

Moreover, a large number of ashmounds were found reflecting that a huge fire was set at one place. It indicated several items were kept together, revealing that the people burned their items while moving from one place to another.

Therefore, the Neolithic culture of India had some similar characteristics but was also marked by regional variations. This paved the way for further settled village society in which along with stone tools, metal began to be used.