Chalcolithic Settlements in India – For Competitive Exams
The Chalcolithic Age (Copper-Stone Age) in India is a period that spans from 2500 BCE to 700 BCE. During this time, early humans started using copper along with stone tools. This phase marks the transition from the Neolithic to the Iron Age. Chalcolithic cultures were mainly agrarian, lived in mudbrick houses, and had knowledge of pottery and metallurgy.
Key Features of the Chalcolithic Culture
- Use of copper for tools, but stone remained dominant.
- Settlements near rivers and fertile lands.
- Economy based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and trade.
- Painted pottery with geometric designs.
- Megalithic burials and ancestor worship.
Major Chalcolithic Cultures and Sites
| Chalcolithic Culture | Region | Key Sites | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahar-Banas Culture | Rajasthan | Ahar, Balathal, Gilund | First use of copper tools, agriculture, black-red ware pottery |
| Kayatha Culture | Madhya Pradesh | Kayatha | Early evidence of copper axes, microliths, and painted pottery |
| Malwa Culture | Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra | Navdatoli, Eran, Maheshwar | Larger settlements, red-and-black pottery, early agricultural practices |
| Jorwe Culture | Maharashtra | Jorwe, Daimabad, Inamgaon | Advanced farming, largest Chalcolithic site (Daimabad) with bronze artifacts |
| Ganeshwar-Jodhpura Culture | Rajasthan | Ganeshwar, Jodhpura | Copper smelting, early trade links with Harappans |
| Savalda Culture | Maharashtra | Savalda | Early urban planning, trade with Harappans |
| Prabhas Culture | Gujarat | Prabhas Patan | Early metal usage, pottery traditions |
Town Planning and Economy
- Settlements were mainly rural, with small mud-brick houses.
- Agriculture: Wheat, barley, lentils, and millets were cultivated.
- Domesticated animals: Cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs.
- Tools: Made of stone, bone, and copper.
- Trade: Copper, beads, and pottery were exchanged with Harappans and Mesopotamians.
Pottery and Artifacts
- Black-and-Red Ware (BRW) and Ochre-Coloured Pottery (OCP) were common.
- Painted motifs of animals, geometric patterns, and human figures.
- Evidence of burial customs and ritual practices found.
- Daimabad (Maharashtra): Found bronze sculptures of animals, indicating artistic development.
Decline of Chalcolithic Cultures
- Climate changes (droughts and floods).
- Soil degradation due to overgrazing and deforestation.
- Decline of trade networks with Harappan civilization.
- Migration and cultural absorption into Vedic societies.
Important MCQs for Competitive Exams
- Which is the largest Chalcolithic site in India?
(a) Kayatha
(b) Inamgaon
(c) Daimabad
(d) Jorwe
Answer: (c) Daimabad - The Ahar-Banas culture is associated with which modern-day state?
(a) Gujarat
(b) Maharashtra
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Madhya Pradesh
Answer: (c) Rajasthan - Which Chalcolithic culture is known for advanced farming and the use of granaries?
(a) Malwa
(b) Jorwe
(c) Ahar
(d) Kayatha
Answer: (b) Jorwe - Which metal was predominantly used in Chalcolithic settlements?
(a) Iron
(b) Copper
(c) Gold
(d) Silver
Answer: (b) Copper - Which Chalcolithic culture had trade links with the Harappan civilization?
(a) Ganeshwar-Jodhpura
(b) Jorwe
(c) Malwa
(d) Savalda
Answer: (a) Ganeshwar-Jodhpura - What is the characteristic pottery type of the Chalcolithic period?
(a) Painted Grey Ware
(b) Black-and-Red Ware
(c) Northern Black Polished Ware
(d) Persian Blue Pottery
Answer: (b) Black-and-Red Ware - Which site provides the earliest evidence of copper smelting in India?
(a) Inamgaon
(b) Ganeshwar
(c) Kayatha
(d) Balathal
Answer: (b) Ganeshwar - Which culture is associated with the first known urban settlements in Maharashtra?
(a) Jorwe
(b) Malwa
(c) Kayatha
(d) Savalda
Answer: (d) Savalda
Conclusion
The Chalcolithic Age played a crucial role in India’s transition to urbanization and metallurgy. Understanding its settlements, economy, and decline is essential for competitive exams.
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