{"id":175,"date":"2019-08-22T05:21:03","date_gmt":"2019-08-22T05:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/icp02.epgpbooks.inflibnet.ac.in\/?post_type=chapter&p=175"},"modified":"2019-08-22T05:44:02","modified_gmt":"2019-08-22T05:44:02","slug":"iron-age-early-historic-transition-in-south-india","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/ebooks.inflibnet.ac.in\/icp02\/chapter\/iron-age-early-historic-transition-in-south-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Iron Age – Early Historic Transition in South India"},"content":{"raw":"
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Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

The Iron Age or Megalithic Age is an important cultural phase that marked the end of the prehistoric period in the history of South India. The Iron Age was succeeded by the Early Historic period, which is generally considered as the beginning of the historical period. The lesson focuses on the transition from the Iron Age to Early Historic in South India. Initially, the primary characteristics of the Iron Age are discussed, followed by the features of Early Historic period, and then the agencies and processes of transition are discussed.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Before discussing the core issues concerning the Iron Age -Early Historic transition in south India, it is important to understand a few important concepts and terms related to the subject.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

History and Prehistory<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

The long span of history is generally divided into historical and prehistoric periods, based on the presence or absence of writing. Historical period is considered to begin with the introduction of writing. Writing did bring some major changes in human history. However, the beginning of historical period should be seen as part of the developments leading to the social complexities that required the introduction of writing. Let\u2019s look at the differences between Historical and Prehistoric periods.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n

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1.1 Iron Age<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Dating of culture, reigns of kings are relatively accurate\u00a0Iron technology was introduced in the Iron Age for making implements. Before the Iron Age, mainly stone and wooden artefacts were used by the people. Iron Age in South India is associated with the megalithic (mega= big + lithic= stone) burial monuments and Black-and-red Ware pottery (pottery with black inner surfaces and red outer surface). The Iron Age succeeded the Late Neolithic Phase. The Iron Age is tentatively dated between 1300 BCE and 500 BCE in South India. The Iron Age did not have the evidence for writing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

1.2 Early Historic period<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

The Early Historic period in south India is generally placed between third century BCE and third century CE. However, a few researchers are of the view that the Early Historic period began around 500 BCE. We get a clearer picture of South India from the textual sources from this period. The Nanda and Maurya dynasties of Northern India had influenced and developed contacts with South India during this period. The early dynasties of the Cheras, the Cholas, the Pandiyas and the Satavahanas were the political powers of this period. The use of writing developed. The megalithic burial tradition of the Iron Age also continued in the Early Historic period in some regions.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

1.3 Transition<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

What is transition? Transition refers to the changes in the culture and ways of life of the people. How shall we understand transition? We often understand the transition based on the changes in the material culture and from the evidence in the written documents or textual sources. Why do we divide time into various units, for example, Ancient India, Medieval India and Modern India? Such divisions are done on the basis of major cultural and historical changes. However, the divisions should not be considered to be watertight, i.e. we should not think that the changes took place overnight. Changes happen sometimes gradually over a period of time. Combination of several factors causes the change and transition.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

2. Objectives<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

In this Chapter, we shall attempt to understand the cultural and historical transition from the Iron Age to the Early Historic period in South India. We will also attempt to understand the changes in the materials culture and the agencies and process responsible for the changes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

3. Characteristics of the Iron Age<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Before understanding the transition, we need to understand the characteristics of each cultural period. Now let\u2019s understand the characteristics of the Iron Age.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

The Iron Age perhaps began around 1300 BCE and lasted till beginning of the Early Historic period, i.e. 300 BCE. The important characteristic features of this period can be divided into material cultural traits and agencies and processes. Agencies and processes cause change in culture and the material cultural traits are the reflections of such changes. In history our aim should be not only to understand the material representation of the changes, but also the processes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

3.1 . Material Cultural Traits<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n