01-Indian heritage of ancient agriculture.pdf

Indian Heritage of Ancient Agriculture Agriculture:  A way of living; means of livelihood  Livelihood of human after hunting of animals and gathering of fruits and grainsn for food.  Forms the found...

Indian Heritage of Ancient Agriculture Agriculture:  A way of living; means of livelihood  Livelihood of human after hunting of animals and gathering of fruits and grainsn for food.  Forms the foundation of human civilization  Involves all such activities to grow plants for their economically important parts and rearing animals for their products through the manipulation of soil and other natural ecosystem. Heritage:  Dictionary meaning: property that is or may be inherited; an inheritance.  In this context: knowledge of agriculture being inherited through generations since ancient times Ancient period in Indian History:  From prehistoric times to the start of Medieval India (the end of the Gupta Empire c. 500 CE)  Elaborate periodisation include BCE: Before Common Era o Pre-history (Neolithic Age) (c. 8000–3500 BCE) o Proto-history (Bronze Age) (c. 3500–1800 BCE) CE: Common Era  Indus Valley Civilisation o Iron Age (c. 1800–200 BCE) c. or ca. Stands for the Latin word "circa" meaning  Vedic civilization (c. 1700 – c. 600 BCE) "around or approximately".  Brihadratha dynasty (c. 1700 – c. 682 BCE)  Gandhara Kingdom (c. 1500 – c. 545 BCE) The older terms of BC and  Kuru Kingdom (c. 1200 – c. 345 BCE) AD means "Before Christ"  Pandyan Kingdom (c. 600 BCE – c. 650 CE) and "Anno Dommoni" o Pre-Classical Period (c. 600 BCE–200 CE) (Latin for "In the Year of  Nanda Empire (c. 345 – c. 322 BCE) Our Lord"). The change  Maurya Empire (c. 322–185 BCE) was made to make the terms secular.  Sangam period (c. 300 BCE – c. 300 CE)  Kalinga Empire (until 250 BCE)  Satavahana Empire (230 BCE–220 CE)  Shunga Empire (c. 185–73 BCE)  Indo-Greek Kingdom (180 BCE–10 CE)  Kanva Empire (75–26 BCE)  Kushan Empire (30–375 CE) o Classical Period (c. 200–550 CE)  Gupta Empire (c. 320–650 CE)  Pallava Empire (c. 275–901 CE) Dr. S. K. Maity/Lecture Note/NRM 121: Indian Heritage of Ancient Agriculture/18-07-2024 Page 1 of 4  Important ancient literatures in the context of agricultural heritage 1. Rigveda ( c. 3700 BCE) 2. Atharvaveda ( c.2000 BCE) 3. Ramayana ( c. 2000 BCE) 4. Mahabharata ( c. 1400 BCE) 5. Krishi – Parashara ( c. 400 BCE) 6. Kauthilya’s Artha-sastra ( c. 300 BCE) 7. Amarsimha’s Amarkosha ( c. 200 BCE) 8. Patanjali’s Mahabhasya ( c. 200 BCE ) 9. Sangam literature ( Tamils) ( 200 BCE – 100 CE) 10. Agnipurana ( c. 400 CE? ) 11. Varahamihir’s Brihat Samhita ( c. 500 CE) 12. Kashyapiyakrishisukti ( c. 800 CE) 13. Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda ( c. 1000 CE) Modern literatures on Ancient History of Indian Agriculture 1. Ayachit, S.M. (Tr) 2002. Kashyapiya Krishisukti (A treatise on Agriculture by Kashyapa). Agri – History Billetin No. 4. Asian – Agri History foundation, Secundrabad. 2. Nene, Y.L. and Choudhary, S.L. 2002. Agricultural heritage of India. Asian Agri – History foundation, Secundrabad. 3. Randhawa, M.S., 1980 – 86. A histroy of Agriculture in India. Vol. I, II, III and IV. Indian council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. 4. Raychaudhuri, S.P. 1964. Agriculture in ancient India. Indian council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. 5. Razia Akbar (Tr) 2000. Muskha Dar Fauni – Falahat (The art of agriculture). Agri – History Bulletin No. 3. Asian Agri. History foundation, Secundrabad. 6. Sadhale Nalini (Tr) 1996. Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda (The science of plant life). Asian. History Bulletin No. 1. Asian – Agri – History foundation, Secundrabad. 7. Sadhale, Nalini Tr) 1999. Krishi – Parashara (Agriculture by Parashara). Agri- Histroy Bulletin No. 2. Asian Agri – History foundation, Secundrabad, India. Dr. S. K. Maity/Lecture Note/NRM 121: Indian Heritage of Ancient Agriculture/18-07-2024 Page 2 of 4  Some practices of ancient agriculture in India: The Dawn of Agriculture in Ancient India Early Agricultural Practices Ancient Indian agriculture dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization, around 3300–1300 BCE. People in this era practiced rudimentary forms of agriculture, growing crops like wheat, barley, and millets. Archaeological findings reveal evidence of plowing, irrigation canals, and well-planned cities that depended on farming for sustenance. The Vedic period (1500–500 BCE) marked a transition in agricultural practices. The Rigveda, one of the oldest Vedic texts, contains references to plowing, crop cultivation, and the use of tools like plows and sickles. Cattle played a crucial role in agriculture during this period, and rituals associated with agriculture were prevalent. Innovations in Ancient Indian Agriculture Ancient Indian farmers practiced crop rotation to maintain soil fertility. By alternating between different crops in a particular field, they prevented soil depletion and enhanced overall productivity. This sustainable practice is still relevant in modern agriculture. Indian agriculture also saw early use of organic fertilizers. Farmers used cow dung, ash, and compost to enrich the soil, a practice that continues in parts of rural India today. These natural fertilizers improved soil quality and crop yields. Ayurvedic Agriculture: Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, influenced agricultural practices. It emphasized the use of medicinal plants and herbs to enhance soil fertility and protect crops from pests. This holistic approach integrated agriculture with health and sustainability. In hilly regions like the Western Ghats and the Himalayas, ancient Indians developed terraced farming techniques. These terraces prevented soil erosion and allowed for cultivation on steep slopes, maximizing land use efficiency. The Iron Age brought innovations in farming tools. Iron plows replaced wooden ones, making tilling easier and more efficient. Other iron tools like sickles and hoes further improved agricultural productivity. Ancient Indian Crops Wheat and barley were staple crops in ancient India. These grains were used to make bread, porridge, and various fermented beverages. The cultivation of wheat and barley was well documented in the historical records of the time. Rice was another crucial crop in ancient India, especially in the southern regions where it thrived in the wet climate. The cultivation of rice required complex irrigation systems, which led to the development of sophisticated water management techniques. Dr. S. K. Maity/Lecture Note/NRM 121: Indian Heritage of Ancient Agriculture/18-07-2024 Page 3 of 4  Millets, such as finger millet (ragi) and pearl millet (bajra), were grown in various parts of India. These hardy, drought-resistant crops provided nutrition to millions and played a crucial role in times of food scarcity. Pulses like lentils, chickpeas, and mung beans were cultivated for their protein rich seeds. These crops not only enriched diets but also improved soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. India has always been renowned for its spices and medicinal plants. Ancient Indian farmers grew spices like black pepper, cardamom, and turmeric, which were highly valued commodities in international trade. Irrigation Systems Ancient Indians developed intricate well systems to access groundwater. Stepwells, such as the famous Rani ki Vav in Gujarat, were not only sources of water but also architectural marvels that showcased the importance of water management. The construction of canals and dams was a hallmark of ancient Indian agriculture. The Indus Valley Civilization, for instance, had a network of canals for irrigation. Dams were built across rivers to store water during the monsoon season, ensuring a continuous water supply for crops. Tanks or artificial reservoirs were created to store rainwater. These tanks provided water for irrigation during dry periods and were essential for regions with erratic rainfall patterns. In regions with gentle slopes, ancient Indians employed a technique known as contour farming. This method allowed rainwater to flow slowly across fields, reducing soil erosion and maximizing water retention. Ancient Indian agriculture stands as a testament to the ingenuity, adaptability, and sustainable practices of earlier ancestors. Their innovations, crop diversity, and sophisticated irrigation systems allowed them to flourish in diverse ecological and geographical conditions. Today's agriculture confront global challenges like climate change and food security, there is much can be learnt from the wisdom of ancient Indian agriculture. This lecture note has been developed based on the following literatures: 1. Web page "Empowering Agricultural Knowledge and Innovations in North-East" https://kiran.nic.in/Agri- Heritage.html 2. Vivekananda, K. R. (2011). Ancient Indian agriculture: innovations, crops, and irrigation. Indian Streams Research Journal 1(2): 1-3. https://oldisrj.lbp.world/UploadedBData/6649.pdf Dr. S. K. Maity/Lecture Note/NRM 121: Indian Heritage of Ancient Agriculture/18-07-2024 Page 4 of 4