Prehistoric Age in India, History and Importance for UPSC

Prehistoric Age in India: The Prehistoric Period, commonly known as the “Stone Age,” denotes an era when early humans primarily utilized stone to craft various objects to fulfil their diverse needs. Stone tools used by the genus Homo, as well as earlier hominids like Australopithecus and Paranthropus, are recognized as artefacts from the Stone Age.

While bone tools were occasionally employed during this period, they are infrequently discovered in the archaeological record. The prehistoric Era is important for UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains Exam (GS Paper 1- Indian Art and Culture).

Prehistoric Age in India

India’s prehistoric epochs are typically characterized by the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age. Supported by an extensive array of archaeological artifacts, the prehistoric era in India is segmented into five distinct periods.

• The Prehistoric Age in India is considered as the collection of events that occurred before the invention of Writing/Documentation. This is why it is considered as the Prehistoric period in the ancient history.
• The prehistoric Period is a record of human activities, civilization, use of stone tools, etc. before the development of the art of writing among human civilizations.

Also Check: UPSC History Notes

Division of Prehistoric Age in India

There are mainly three Prehistoric Ages in India which are explained in detail below.

• The prehistoric period of ancient history is divided into three distinct eras, commonly referred to as the “Three-Age System.”.
• The evolutionary ages within the prehistoric period provide significant evidence of ancient human activity.

a) Stone Age,
b) Bronze Age, and
c) Iron Age

Prehistoric Period and Time

• About Prehistoric Age in India : The Stone Age is the first part stage in the evolution of Human beings during the Prehistoric Era.
  i) Various tools of the Stone Age were made up of stones from which it gets its name-Stone Age.
• Prehistoric Age in India Sources of Information: the main source of information for the Prehistoric period (including Stone Age) is the archaeological excavations.
• Categorization: the Indian Stone Age is classified primarily into three types-
  i) Prehistoric Age in India (Old Stone Age): Period – 500,000 – 10,000 BCE
  ii) Mesolithic age (late stone age): Period – 10,000 – 6000 BCE
  iii) Neolithic age (New Stone Age): Period – 6000 – 1000 BCE
• Criteria for above categorization: The above classification of Stone Age was arrived at mainly based on the following criteria-
  i) Geological age,
  ii) The type and technology of stone tools, and
  iii) Subsistence base

Palaeolithic Age Period (Stone Age) – 500,000 – 10,000 BCE

• Origin Prehistoric Age in India: The term ‘Palaeolithic’ is derived from the Greek words ‘palaeo’ and ‘LITHIC’. ‘Palaeo’ means old and ‘lithic’ means stone, hence, it is called as the Old Stone Age.
• Associated Geographical Age: Palaeolithic culture of India (Old Stone Age) was developed in the Pleistocene period or the Ice Age.
  – The Pleistocene period or the Ice Age is a geological period of the age when the earth was covered with ice and the weather was so cold that human or plant life could not survive.
  – But in the tropical region, where ice melted, the earliest species of men could exist.
• Classification of Prehistoric Age in India: The Old Stone Age or Palaeolithic Age in India is divided into the following three phases-
  – Lower Palaeolithic Age: up to 100,000 BC
  – Middle Palaeolithic Age: 100,000 BC – 40,000 BC
  – Upper Palaeolithic Age: 40,000 BC – 10,000 BC
• Criteria for Above Classification: The above classification of Old Stone Age was reached according to
  – The nature of the stone tools used by the people and
  – The nature of the change of climate.

Key Characteristics of the Prehistoric Age in India (Old Stone Age)

• Habitation: The Indian people are believed to have belonged to the ‘Negrito’ race, and lived in the open air, river valleys, caves and rock shelters.
• Eating Pattern: Indians were food gatherers, ate wild fruits and vegetables, and lived on hunting animals.
  – There was no knowledge of houses, pottery, or agriculture. It was only in later stages they discovered fire.
• Development of Art: In the upper palaeolithic age, there is evidence of art in the form of paintings.
• Tools Used: Indian People used unpolished, rough stones like hand axes, choppers, blades, burins and scrapers for various purposes including hunting animals.
• Use of Stone: In India, Palaeolithic men used stone tools made of a hard rock called quartzite. That is why they are also called ‘Quartzite’ men in India.

Mesolithic age in India (late stone age): Period – 10,000 – 6000 BCE

• Period: The Paleolithic Age ended around 10,000 BCE, and this period continued until about 6000 BCE.
• Associated Geographic Regions: Distributed throughout many environments, including as hills, river basins, woods, and coastlines.
• Classification: Defined by technological advancements, changes in subsistence patterns, socio-cultural developments, and settlement patterns.
• Criteria for Classification:
  i) Technological advancements: Microliths and precision tools.
  ii)Subsistence patterns: Diverse strategies include hunting, fishing, gathering, and early agriculture.
  iii) Socio-cultural developments: Burial rituals, rock art, and temporary shelters.
  iv) Settlement patterns: Transition to semi-sedentary or semi-nomadic lifestyles near water sources.
  v) Environmental adaptations: Colonization of new habitats and exploitation of resources.
  

Neolithic age in India (New Stone Age): Period – 6000 – 1000 BCE

• Origin Prehistoric Age in India: The Neolithic Age began independently in various regions worldwide, including Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, Egypt, and China.
• Geographical Areas: Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, Egypt, and the Yangtze and Yellow River Valleys.
• Classification of Prehistoric Age in India: Transition to settled agricultural communities, domestication of animals, invention of pottery, and establishment of permanent settlements.
• Criteria for Classification: Based on technological advances, social organization, economic activities, and material culture.

In essence, the Neolithic Age in India marks the shift from hunting and gathering to agriculture and settlement, laying the foundation for early civilizations across the globe.