The Indus Valley Civilization from 2700 BCE to 1800 BCE was destroyed in mysterious circumstances. There are a lot of theories about its destruction like the flood theory or changing river course theory. However, the most plausible and accepted one is the Aryan invasion theory. Under it, it has been argued that Aryans invaded India from the north-western border and destroyed civilization.
Following the Indus age, the Vedic or the Chalcolithic age set in. This period and its people were not as advanced as the Indus people. The tools, occupations, houses, etc. were all relatively inferior. A town named Inamgaon belonged to this period. It had the typical characteristics of a Chalcolithic site. Additionally, the site also enjoyed certain geographic advantages as well. Here, we will decipher in detail the elements of the society at the time and how they shaped future civilizational advancements.
2500 BCE to 700 BCE is usually considered the period of the Chalcolithic age in India. People usually settled along the banks of rivers for easy access to resources like water and fertile land.
The Chalcolithic age was a period of the use of copper and stone. Here the word “Chalco” means copper and lithic means “stone”. People used tools and weaponry made of copper and stone during this stage. Chisels, bladders, artefacts, semiprecious stones, and terracotta figurines were also found.
The society was however rural at the time with agriculture and animal rearing being the major occupation. A variety of grains were grown in different parts of India from the north to central India and in the Deccan.
The most iconic feature of this age is its pottery which is very diverse. But the most important is the red and black ware. However, ochre colored potteries are also found.
Following the Indus Valley Civilization, numerous towns and cities flourished in other parts of India including the Deccan Plateau. Inamgaon was one of them.
Like most of the towns at the time, Inamgaon was located on the banks of river Ghod which is a tributary of the Bhima river.
The region lies on the western part of the Indian peninsula in the Deccan. It is situated just about 89 km from the present-day Pune city of Maharashtra.
It is also described as the regional centre of the Bhima valley.
It was inhabited from about 1500 BCE to 600 BCE. The site was contemporary with the Vedic age.
This was also the period when the Rigveda was compiled. However, the Rigveda was written only 200 years ago. Earlier it was passed on through hearing, not reading.
People at Inamgaon had more or less the same occupations as the others at the time.
They were engaged heavily in agriculture, (although only subsistence), fishing, and animal rearing.
Evidence of the production of wheat, barley, rice, millets, peas, and sesame have been found.
The tribes also consumed animals as evidenced by the mark on the bones of the animals. Cattle, buffalo, goats, deer, dogs, horses, turtles, crocodiles, hare, spotted deer, etc would have been found at the time.
The population was also engaged in pottery making. Red and black ware formed a major supply of income for the people. Ochre-coloured pottery was also made at the time.
Trade also flourished during this period. However, it was not as extensive as during the Indus age. Intra-continental trade was shared among various tribes from different parts of India. Here, Inamgaon served as the trade hub for various tribes around the Deccan, Malwa, and Gujarat regions.
The burial system in India is one of the most unique in the world. From the time of the Palaeolithic age about 2 million years ago, different burial practices have evolved in India.
One of them is known as the Megalith, which literally means giant boulders. Under this giant stones are laid around a grave and pots were placed inside it along with the body. It shows that people believed in the afterlife back then.
Sometimes more than one person was also buried in the same grave, probably belonging to a single family.
A special burial was found at Inamgaon in Maharashtra. Here an adult was buried in a large four-legged clay jar with his head facing the north.
The grave was found to be in the courtyard of a five-bedroom house with a granary. This house looked like it belonged to the chief of the clan .
The grave also had pots that most likely contained food and water.
Some other places where the Megalithic style of burials have been found are Nilaskal, Hire Benkal, Hanamsagar, Chamber Tomb, Dolmens, Kudakallu Parambu, Junapani, etc. The megalithic practices of burial has also been found across the world in Europe, West Asia, and Africa.
The Indus Valley Civilization was an age well ahead of its time in terms of technology and trade. The construction of houses, drainage system, political establishments, settled agriculture, terracotta and bronze figurines, etc. are prime examples of their advancements. However, post that age the Vedic society was not technologically as advanced and we witnessed many regions going back to subsistence farming with mud houses. Inamgaon was one such center. It was close to the Indus site of Daimabad and hence was relatively advanced.
The Inamgaon population engaged in trade and farming because of its strategic location. This site also showcased features of a typical Chalcolithic site with black and red pottery. The black paint on red wares was in high demand and eventually became common. This town holds special significance in archaeological circles and much is likely unknown about this ancient site.
Q1. Mention some of the most important Chalcolithic sites in India.
Ans. India's most important Chalcolithic sites are Judhpura, Ganeshwar, Gilund, Eran, Kayatha, Navadatoli, etc. These sites also portrayed the basic characteristics of Chalcolithic culture like subsistence agriculture, animal rearing, red and black pottery, etc.
Q2. What was the period of the Neolithic age in India?
Ans. The period from 7,000 BCE to 1,000 BCE is the Neolithic age of India. The major sites of this period are Gufkral, Chirand, Piklihal, Brahmagiri, Maski, Hallur, Takkalakota, etc.
Q3. Who discovered Harappa?
Ans. Harappa was discovered by Daya ram Sahni in the year 1921. It was the first site of the Indus valley civilization to be discovered. Hence it is also known as the Harappan civilization. Currently, it lies in modern-day Pakistan.
Q4. Why is Lothal famous?
Ans. Situated in Gujarat, Lothal is one of the sites of the Indus valley civilization. It is famous as one of the first shipyards in India with a dock for ships.
Q5. What was the period of the later Vedic age?
Ans. The time period from 1000 BCE to 500 BCE is the period of the later Vedic age in Indian history. The other three Vedas i.e. Samveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda are said to be compiled during this period.
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