Understanding the difference between Prehistory, Protohistory, and History is crucial for tracing the evolution of human civilization. These three stages represent how human societies developed over time based on the availability of written records and archaeological evidence. While Prehistory refers to the time before written records, Protohistory marks a transitional phase with limited written evidence, and History begins with the availability of comprehensive, deciphered written documents. Differentiating these periods helps in analyzing the cultural, social, and technological progress of ancient societies.
Prehistory Protohistory and History
The study of human history can be broadly divided into three distinct periods: Pre-History, Proto-History, and History. These classifications are based on the availability of written records and other forms of evidence.
Each phase represents a unique stage in the evolution of human societies and their interaction with the environment. In the Indian context, these periods offer fascinating insights into our cultural and historical development.
Robert Bruce Foote-
- Robert Bruce Foote (22 September 1834 – 29 December 1912) was a British geologist and archaeologist who conducted geological surveys of prehistoric locations in India for the Geological Survey of India.
- For his contributions to Indian archaeology, he is called the Father of Indian Prehistory.
- He made the first discovery of hand axes at Pallavaram.
- Probably Pallavaram Axe is the first Paleolithic tool found in India.
- He discovered the site of Attirampakkam (then part of the Madras Presidency, near Chennai), a Madrasian culture.
Archoeological Survey of India (1861)
- HQ- New Delhi
- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was established in 1861 by Sir Alexander Cunningham.
- He also served as its first Director-General. Cunningham, a British Army engineer and archaeologist.
- He recognized the need for systematic documentation and preservation of India’s ancient monuments and laid the foundation for organized archaeological studies in the country.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI)
Key points:
- Establishment: 1851
- Headquarters- Kolkata, West Bengal
- Initial Purpose: Finding coal for railways.
- Founder: The East India Company
- First Chief: Sir Thomas Oldham
Pre-History: The Unwritten Past
Pre-History refers to the time before the invention of writing. During this period, human activities are understood through archaeological evidence such as tools, cave paintings, and fossils.
Characteristics:
- Absence of written records.
- Reliance on material evidence like stone tools, pottery, and skeletal remains.
- Societies were primarily hunter-gatherers and later transitioned to settled agriculture.
Example – Stone Age.
Stone Age in India.
The Stone Age in India, part of the prehistoric era, marks a period before written records. It is divided into three distinct stages: Paleolithic (Old Stone Age), Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), and Neolithic (New Stone Age). Each stage reflects significant changes in human behavior, tools, lifestyle, and cultural practices.
Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age)
Timeframe: Approximately 2.5 million years ago to 10,000 BCE
Characteristics:
- Lifestyle: Nomadic hunter-gatherers who lived in caves and open rock shelters.
- Spread practically all parts of India except the alluvial plains of the Indus and Ganga.
- Tools: Roughly chipped stone tools, including hand axes, cleavers, and scrapers, made from quartzite and other stones.
- Food: Depended on hunting animals and gathering fruits, nuts, and tubers.
- Discovery of Fire- Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh) “Ash Ground”
- Climate: Corresponds to the Ice Age, with a cold and harsh environment.
Examples:
- Bhimbetka Rock Shelters (Madhya Pradesh): Known for Paleolithic cave paintings that depict animals and hunting scenes.
- Attirampakkam (Tamil Nadu): One of the oldest sites where Acheulean hand axes were discovered.
Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age)
Lower Paleolithic: 5,00,000- 50,000 BC
- Soan and Sohan river valley (now in Pakistan)
- Didwana-Rajasthan
- Hiran Valley-Gujarat
- Belan Valley Mirzapur UP.
Middle Paleolithic: 50,000 – 40,000 BC
- Soan Narmada and Tugabhadra river valleys
- Potwar Plateau (between indus and Jhelum)
- Sanghao cave- near Peshawar Pakistan
- H.D. Sankalia-Nevasa Mahrashtra
- Homo Erectus- Narmada Skull (hathnora Evidence,MP)
Upper Paleolithic: 40,000 – 10,000 BC
- Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, central MP, Southern UP and Chotanagpur Plateau.
- Bone tools found only at cave sites of Kurnool and Muchchatla Chintamani Gavi in Andhra Pradesh.
- Homo Sapiens first appeared at eh end of this phase.
Patne, Jalgaon-Maharashtra- Paleolithic Site
- Feature: Ostrich were found
- Eggs were found
- Beads also made from it.
Hunsgi, Karnataka- Paleolithic site
- Large quantity of Stone tools
- Factory cum habitation sites
- Tools made from limestone.
Baghor- MP
- Triangular stones formed.
- considered as some type of Shrine.
Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age)
Timeframe: Approximately 10,000 BCE to 8,000 BCE
Characteristics:
- Lifestyle: Transition between nomadic life and settled life. Began domestication of animals and used more refined tools.
- Tools: Microliths—Polishing of Stones-tiny, sharp stone tools often mounted on wooden or bone shafts to create arrows or spears.
- Food: Continued hunting and gathering but supplemented with early attempts at farming and fishing.
- Art and Rituals: Evidence of burials and symbolic art indicates spiritual development.
Examples:
- Bagor (Rajasthan): Provides evidence of microlithic tools and domestication of animals.
- Langhnaj (Gujarat): Contains microlithic tools and traces of early human settlement.
Neolithic Age (New Stone Age)
Timeframe: Approximately 8,000 BCE to 4,000 BCE (in India)
Characteristics:
- Lifestyle: Shifted to agriculture and settled village life. Began pottery making and weaving.
- Tools: Polished stone tools such as sickles, grinding stones, and axes.
- Food: Cultivation of crops like wheat, barley, and rice. Domestication of animals like cattle, sheep, and goats.
- Housing: Built mud-brick houses and granaries.
- Social Organization: Development of tribal or village systems.
Examples:
- Mehrgarh (Baluchistan, now in Pakistan): Early farming site showing wheat and barley cultivation.
- Chirand (Bihar): Evidence of polished stone tools, animal domestication, and early agriculture.
- Burzahom (Kashmir): Pit dwellings with evidence of agriculture and burial practices.
Key Differentiators Between Stages
| Aspect | Paleolithic | Mesolithic | Neolithic |
| Tools | Rough stone tools | Microliths | Polished tools |
| Lifestyle | Nomadic hunters | Semi-nomadic | Settled farmers |
| Food Source | Hunting & gathering | Hunting & early farming | Agriculture |
| Art | Basic cave art | Symbolic art | Pottery |
| Examples in India | Bhimbetka, Attirampakkam | Bagor, Langhnaj | Mehrgarh, Chirand |
Chalcolithic Age (Copper-Stone Age) (Bonus Stage)
Although not part of the Stone Age, this transitional phase between the Neolithic and Bronze Ages marks the use of copper tools alongside stone tools.
Indian Example: Jorwe (Maharashtra) shows evidence of copper tools, farming, and trade practices.
Conclusion- The differentiation between Stone Age stages in India showcases the evolution of human civilization from a rudimentary hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a more settled agricultural society. Indian examples like Bhimbetka, Mehrgarh, and Burzahom highlight the ingenuity of early humans in adapting to their environment and laying the foundations for advanced cultures.
Practice Questions on Prehistory, Protohistory, and History-
Direct & Conceptual Questions:
- Define and distinguish between Prehistory, Protohistory, and History. How do these divisions help in understanding the development of early Indian civilization?
- What are the primary sources used to study Prehistoric and Protohistoric periods in India? Highlight the challenges historians face while studying these periods.
- Critically examine the transition from Prehistoric to Historic periods in the Indian subcontinent. What factors contributed to this shift?
Applied or Analytical Questions:
- Do you agree that the absence or presence of written records alone is insufficient to define the boundaries of Prehistory, Protohistory, and History? Substantiate your answer.
- Discuss how archaeological and literary sources complement each other in reconstructing India’s ancient past, especially during the Protohistoric period.
- Explain how the classification into Prehistory, Protohistory, and History influences the interpretation of socio-economic changes in ancient India.
India-Specific Questions:
- Discuss the relevance of Harappan Civilization in the context of Protohistoric India. How does it differ from fully Historic societies like the Vedic period?
- How do the Prehistoric rock art sites and megalithic burials contribute to our understanding of early human culture in India?
For further reading regarding what is history kindly click here– https://upscmatters.com/what-is-history/
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