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This book gives on idea of the stages of evolution and growth of Indian Culture from the earliest times to sixth Century B.C., period which was once considered to be dark in history. The tools and implements of stone or bone, fossils, potsherds, seals, metal objects, terracotta’s, sculptures and remains of houses, villages and town as well as traditions contained in the Vedas, the epic and Puranas have been critically studied in order to reconstruct the history of this period. Previous works on the subjects have been utilized but certain conclusions are new.

The author first explains the meaning of Prehistory and Protohistory, and then given geological and geographical background for proper understanding. Different Stone Age Cultures with their characteristics such as tool technique, raw material, distribution, ecology, date and origin and authors of the rock paintings which reveal only the stage of culture. The extent, date, origin have been described. Nothing can be said positively about the date and the authors, religious, social and economic conditions, art, end and survivals of the Harappan culture have been discussed in the light of newly discovered material. The Chalcolithic Culture with different ceramic regional traits has been dealt with. The authors of the Chalcolithic Cultures and the copper hoards have been examined. Early Iron Age Culture Associated with the Black and Red-Ware, painted Grey Ware and Megalithic Ware has been described. The author is of the view that the age of the Vedic Culture covers from 1200 B.C. to 600 B.C., and the traditional history cannot be relied upon unless corroborated by some contemporary independent evidence. If literary traditions are interpreted archaeologically, the Aryans mentioned in the Vedas appear to be the authors of the Black and Red Ware Culture and Painted Grey Ware Culture.

This study, written in a lucid and expressive style, documented with Bibliography, Index, Maps and Illustrations will be found useful to the students of Ancient Indian history, Culture and Archaeology.