Pre-historic Age (Stone Age): Ancient History of Uttar Pradesh. In ancient times, Uttar Pradesh was known as Madhyadesh and it had very fertile land between Delhi and Patna. Discovery of arms and implements of ancient and Neo-Palaeolithic age was found in Mirzapur, Bundelkhand, Sonbhadra and Pratapgarh.
In ancient times, Uttar Pradesh was known as Madhyadesh and it had very fertile land between Delhi and Patna. Discovery of arms and implements of ancient and Neo-Palaeolithic age was found in Mirzapur, Bundelkhand, Sonbhadra and Pratapgarh. The ancient history of Uttar Pradesh has been divided into Pre-historic Age (Stone Age), Proto-historic Age (Bronze Age) and Historic Age (Iron Age).
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Pre-Historic (Stone Age) in Uttar Pradesh
Pre-historic age is also known as Stone Age. It is broadly divided into three categories.
They are:
- Palaeolithic Age
- Mesolithic Age
- Neolithic Age
Palaeolithic Age in Uttar Pradesh
During this period, people started using tools made up of stones for the first time. The evidence of these tools is found in Chhatar palia, Mahugarh and Parisdhia in Belan valley (Allahabad), Singrauli valley in Sonbhadra and Chakia in Chandauli.
Excavation of the Belan valley was done under the supervision of GR Sharma, Professor of Allahabad University. The statue of a bone built maternal goddess along with a stone equipment has been obtained from the Lohanda Nola region of the Belan valley.
- Two sites at Nihi and Gopipur were also found on the banks of small rivulets in Banda.
- Quartzite was the material used to make tools.
In this age, people were not familiar with the process of agriculture, construction of huts and fire but evidences are found that animal husbandry was practised in this age.
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Mesolithic Age in Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh the evidence of mesolithic age’s culture has been found in Mirzapur, Sonbhadra and Pratapgarh. The tools of this age were small as compared to those of Palaeolithic age. Relics of huts and pottery were found from Allahabad region and Most of the evidence has been found from Sarai Nahar Rai, Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh.
- In Sarai Nahar Rai, 15 human skeletons have been found, that were buried with head of the body towards West direction.
- Evidence of huts and pottery has been found in Chopani Mando (Prayagraj).
The people of this age practised hunting and gathering for their food. Area around which they practised hunting and gathering or collecting their food were Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Allahabad and Pratapgarh.
Neolithic Age in Uttar Pradesh
It was the period of primitive technology and social development. In Uttar Pradesh, the evidence of Neolithic age has been obtained from Prayagraj, Pratapgarh, Sonbhadra and Mirzapur districts of Uttar Pradesh.
The stone tools of this period were small, beautiful and sharper than the Mesolithic period. The earliest Neolithic site in India is Lahuradewa which provides evidence of slash and burn cultivation.
In this age, people were well known to agricultural activities. Evidences of paddy farming were found in Koldihwa of period between 7000-6000 BC.
- The evidence of paddy’s grains and stems has been found.
- People in this age started domesticating cattle, sheep and goats.
- They painted potteries.
- Animal skins were used as clothes.