Proto-Historic Cultures in India

Author: Dr. Nazim Husain Al Jafri

ISBN: 978-9384081720

Binding: Hardbound

Language: English

About the Book:
Ever since R.D. Banerji discovered the ruins of the ancient city of Mohenjo Daro beneath the Buddhist stupa in district Larkana of Sind, a proto-historic phase was added to the past history of India. The Indus or Harappan culture had to be identified proto-historic because the writing script of the phase could not be deciphered. By 1950, other proto-historic cultures had been identified in Indian sub-continent, such as "Baluchistan cultures" preceding to Harappan culture, and the Cemetery-H and Jhukar cultures following to the Harappan decline. This book attempts to make a geographical study of the proto-historic cultures of India. Providing a site-by-site survey of all proto-historic cultures classified by geographical zones, it assembles the basic site-wise information. It presents an interpretation of archaeological evidences of proto-historic cultures in the country, disowning any ambition to offer a variant of geographical determinism, but the geographical environment formed the setting in which proto-historic societies functioned. Rainfall, soils, mineral resources, forests and their denizens, were all important factors behind extent and methods of agriculture, domestication of animals, the role of "gathering" vs. production, and so on. Contents: List of Maps List of Figures 1.Geographical Background of Protohistoric India 2.Review of Protohistoric Cultures 3.Archaeological Evidence of Protohistorical Cultures in India – Survey of Sites 4.Discussion 5.Epilogue