Neolithic Culture in India with special reference to the technological and economic changes in the society

“The Neolithic, a period of great significance for the development of agriculture and animal husbandry, marks the beginning of settled life and the appearance of village communities throughout India.”

- Bridget Allchin, The Birth of Indian Civilization (1980)

The Neolithic culture in India refers to the period of human civilization that began around 7000 BCE and lasted until around 1500 BCE. During this time, there were significant technological and economic changes in Indian society, which led to the development of agriculture, domestication of animals, and the emergence of settled communities.

One of the most important technological innovations during this period was the development of agriculture. People learned to cultivate crops such as wheat, barley, and rice, which allowed them to settle in one place and rely less on hunting and gathering. This led to the development of more complex social structures and the emergence of permanent settlements.

With the rise of agriculture, there was also a significant change in the way people obtained food. Instead of relying on hunting and gathering, they began to domesticate animals for meat, milk, and other products. This led to the emergence of pastoral communities, where people lived alongside their animals and relied on them for survival.

The economic changes during the Neolithic period were closely tied to these technological innovations. As people settled in one place and began to cultivate crops, they were able to produce a surplus of food. This surplus could be traded with other communities, leading to the development of long-distance trade networks.

The rise of agriculture and pastoralism also led to the development of new tools and technologies. People began to use plows and irrigation systems to improve crop yields, while the domestication of animals led to the development of new tools and techniques for working with them.

Overall, the Neolithic period was a time of significant technological and economic change in India. The emergence of agriculture and pastoralism led to the development of settled communities and complex social structures, as well as the development of new tools and technologies. These changes laid the foundation for the later development of Indian civilization.

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