Ancient India 1 - Foundations of Indian culture and civilization Flashcards
Hominid that appeared in Australia and Africa is referred to as
Australopithecus
What was the name of the first man like species that originated in Africa around 2,30,000 years ago known as
Hominid
Hominid that originated in Indonesia and China is referred to as
Sinanthropithecus
When did the first hominid appear in India and what was it called as?
The first hominid appeared in Asia around 2,00,000 years ago and it was called as Ramapithecus.
What are two different ages?
Stone Age (2,00,000 - 4500 BC ) And Metallic age ( 4500 - present day)
Classify Stone Age
Palaeolithic age 2,00,000 - 11,000 BC
Mesolithic age 11,000 - 10,000 BC
Neolithic age 10,000 - 4500 BC
Explain human evolution during Palaeolithic age
Hominids evolved into homo erectus and by the end of the Palaeolithic age Homo erectus further evolved into Homo sapien.
Give a list of Palaeolithic sites in India
- Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh)
- Adamgarh (Madhya Pradesh)
- Borra caves (vishakapatnam)
- Attiramapakkam ( Tamil Nadu)
- Soan valley
What is the speciality of Bhimbetka Palaeolithic site?
Bhimbetka Palaeolithic site is famous for its cave paintings and the colours used for the cave paintings were red , green and blue.
Similar cave paintings were also found at Adamgarh in MP.
What is the speciality of Borra caves at Vishakapatnam?
The Borra caves at vishakapatnam saw the habitations of pre historic man.
What is the speciality of Attiramapakkam Palaeolithic site?
It was at Attiramapakkam that ROBERT BRUCEFOOT discovered the first Palaeolithic tools in India in 1863.
Who was ROBERT BRUCEFOOT?
Robert BRUCEFOOT was the person who discovered the first Palaeolithic tools in India at Attiramapakkam in Tamil Nadu in 1863 AD.
What are the titles given to Robert BRUCEFOOT?
Father of prehistoric archaeology in India
Father of geology in India
Father of South Indian archaeology
What is the speciality of Palaeolithic site Soan valley?
It was here that tools were discovered that were to similar to those found in Europe.
What was the speciality of Mesolithic age?
In Mesolithic age the size of the tools that were used by man were further reduced and now even microliths attached to bone handles were found.
What are UNESCO’s 5 most important events ?
- discovery of fire
- Potters wheel
- Discovery of all sea route to India
- Emergence of USA
- Man’s landing on moon
Which is the most famous Mesolithic site in India ?
Bagore is the most famous Mesolithic site in India located in Rajasthan.
Who coined the term “Neolithic”?
John Lubbec
Who popularised the term “ Neolithic” ?
Gordon Child
What features characterised Neolithic age in India?
- Settled pattern of life
Inamgaon of Maharashtra showed of first traces of settled pattern of life. - Cultivation
The field ever agricultural field in the Indian subcontinent was found at Mehargarh. - Domestication of animals
- Pottery
Which was the first animal to be domesticated in India?
Wolf
What was “pottery” a indicator of Neolithic times?
It demarcated “races” during Neolithic times.
Give a list of Neolithic sites in India ( excluding southern parts)
- Burzaham
- Gufkral
- Chirand
- Koldiwaha
What was the speciality of Burzaham Neolithic site?
Burzaham Neolithic site witnessed pit dwellers who lived in pits and it was also famous for double burial practices.
Where were “ double burial “ practices followed and what were they?
Double burial practices were followed by the Pit dwellers of Burzaham where
- A man and a woman were buried together
- Two men were buried together
- A human and his pet animal were buried together.
The people of which Neolithic site were called as Pit dwellers?
Burzaham people
What is the speciality of Neolithic site Gufkral?
Gufkral people produced the most beautiful pottery in Neolithic times and it was called as “ Pink shaded pottery”.
Who were famous for “ pink shaded pottery”?
Gufkral people of Jammu and Kashmir.
What was the speciality of Neolithic site Chirand?
It was most famous for ornaments made using bones.
What was the speciality of neologism site koldiwaha?
Koldiwaha witnessed the first traces of cereal cultivation.
Why are South Indian Neolithic cultures different?
South Indian Neolithic cultures are called as Ash mound cultures and the ash mounds were associated with burial practices.
They also followed extensive slash and burn agriculture.
Name the Neolithic site of Kerala
Palghat
Name the Neolithic sites of Tamil Nadu
Adichanallur
Payampalu
Name the Neolithic sites of Andhra Pradesh
Renigunta
Erragondapalem
Name the Neolithic sites of Telangana
Utnur
Nagarjunakonda
Name the Neolithic sites of Karnataka
Halluru
Kupgal
Chandravalli
Brahmagiri
Which two Neolithic sites were excavated by Sir Mortimer Wheeler?
Brahmagiri and Chandravalli sites of Karnataka were excavated by sir Mortimer wheeler.
Who invented the technique of stratification in excavations ?
Sir Mortimer Wheeler.
Which was the first known metal to man in India
Gold
Which was the first used metal by man in India
Copper
Timeframe of Chalcolithic age?
4500 BC - 2500 BC
Name the two most famous Chalcolithic sites in India
Khalibhangan of Rajasthan
Banwali of Haryana
Where was the first ever ploughed agricultural field found in India
Khalibhangan in Rajasthan
When did man discover tin
Man discovered tin in 2500 BC
What led to the start of Bronze age
Man discovered tin in 2500 BC and manufactured bronze by combining tin and copper .
When did Bronze Age flourish
2500 BC - 900 BC
Who and when was iron technology introduced in India?
Iron technology was introduced in India during 900 BC by Vedic Aryans.
Who were the first sea farers in Indian history
People of Mehargarh. Mehargarh was also the first place where cultivation was seen during Neolithic times.
Who were the first Indians to establish cultural contact with people of Mesopotamia?
People of Mehargarh
Which place is considered to be the place of origin of INDUS VALLEY CIVILISATION?
Mehargarh
