प्राचीन इतिहास अध्ययन नोट्स

Ancient History Study Notes

• Ancient History is the study of the past.
• The text outlines three periods: Prehistoric, Protohistoric, and Historical.
• Prehistoric period is a time where humans did not know how to read or write. Information from this period is obtained only from archaeological evidence.
• The Stone Age (Prehistoric) is the period when humans used stones to form tools and weapons.
• The first discovery of the Palaeolithic period in India was by Robert Bruce Foote in 1863.
• The Palaeolithic Period (20 lakh BCE to 12,000 BCE) saw early humans as hunter-gatherers, primarily focused on survival.
• A significant achievement of this period was the discovery of fire.
• Cave paintings at Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh) provide insights into the Palaeolithic period.
• The Mesolithic Period (12,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE) saw smaller tools (microliths). Burials were prominent.
• The Neolithic Period (10,000 BCE to 3000 BCE) saw the development of permanent settlements, agriculture, and livestock farming.
• The Chalcolithic Period (Bronze Age) was when humans discovered and used copper.
• The Indus Valley Civilization, a significant protohistoric civilization, is centred around the Indus River.
• Discoveries started from the site of Harappa. Often called the Harappan Civilization.
• Its dates from 2500 BCE to 1750 BCE and represents one of the earliest urban civilizations.
• Archaeological sites include Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Kalibangan, Dholavira, Lothal etc.
• Key features of the Indus Valley Civilization include urban planning, sophisticated drainage systems, and trade networks.
• The Indus Valley Civilization is believed to have declined due to a combination of factors, including environmental changes, floods, and possibly invasion(s).

Additional Information

• Herodotus is considered the "father of history".
• The "father of Indian archaeology" is Sir Alexander Cunningham.
• The cradle of humankind is the African continent, while the cradle of civilization is the Asian continent.
• The Indian Archaeological Survey is under the Ministry of Culture.
• The National Museum of Man is in Bhopal.
• The first domesticated animal was the dog.
• The first metal discovered by humans was copper.