Pre-History
Pre-History - Human beings appeared on the planet Earth in the middle of Pleistocene epoch. The recent evolutionary phase of the human beings happened in Holocene period which led to the emergence of Homo Sapiens.
The Early humans were dependent on animals for their survival. These Early humans started to use stone tools for hunting animals. Over the period, they sharpened their skills of creating effective stone tools. The pre-history of Early humans can only be traced with the stone tools used by them, artifacts used by them and their rock engravings.
On the basis of stone tools used by Early humans, the early history is classified into three stone ages -
- Paleolithic age
- Mesolithic age
- Neolithic age
- Lower Paleolithic phase
- Middle paleolithic phase
- Upper paleolithic phase
Middle Paleolithic phase - Rectangular shaped stone tools were used. Characteristics tools were Borers,, Burines and Blades.
Upper Paleolithic phase - Triangular shaped (Pointed) stone tools were used. Characteristics tools were Blades and points.
The Paleolithic tools in India have been found from Bhimbetka (MP), Sohan valley (Pak), Belan valley (Mirzapur), Narmada valley, Bramhagiri (Karnataka), Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh), etc.
Mesolithic Period - This phase was a transition from very cold climate to warm phase. It was conducive to the development of flora and fauna. Moreover, human beings started to move to different places. (Earlier, in Paleolithic period because of the cold climate they usually live inside the cave or near to the river bed)
Mesolithic phase also witnessed domestication of animals. Evidences have been found from Aadamgarh (MP) and Baohar (Rajasthan).
The stone tools used by them are known as Microliths which were small and sharp and easy to operate. It was not only effective in the killing of animals but also it facilitated rock engraving (Mesolithic paintings) or Petroglyph, which are line diagram made by engraving on the rocks or wall of the cave.
Mesolithic Painting - It provides important insight into socio-cultural practices of Mesolithic community.
They used naturally obtained colours like green, yellow, brown, red, etc. Red colour was also sourced from animal blood.
They created wide varieties of theme which are as follows -
- Hunting → domination over other animals
- Gathering → social cohesion
- Animal riding → domestication
- Group dance & Celebration → community cohesion
- Fighting (in which men are depicted) → division of labour
- House hold chores (in which women are depicted) → division of labour
- Phallus & Yoni worship → primitive form of worship
- Sexual union
The stone tools used by them was not only small and sharp but also polished.
There were also instances of usage of bone implements and also usage of bow and arrow.
The most important development in the Neolithic phase was start of agricultural practices.
The first evidence of agricultural practices found from Mehargarh (Baluchistan area of Pakistan).
Humans created wheels and wheel made pottery.
They mastered the control use of fire.
Important sites - Gufkral (Pak-Afgan Border), Burzhom (Kashmir), Chirand (Bihar), Sarai Nahraya (UP), etc
Bhimbhetka (MP) - evidences of all phases are present.
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Next Article - Indus Valley Civilization
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Optional Notes
Note - This is my Vision IAS Notes (Vision IAS Class Notes) and Ashutosh Pandey Sir's Public Administration Class notes. I've also added some of the information on my own.
Hope! It will help you to achieve your dream of getting selected in Civil Services Examination 👍
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