L-14 Early History of Deccan and South India Part-1 (Class 6th D.A.V)
199This video is about megalith culture and about early hisotry of Deccan.
Megalith culture was continued about 2500 BCE-200 AD. The main concentration of Megalith culture was in the Deccan South India - The North East and Kashmir. The tterm Megallith derived from Greek word Megas which means great and lithos means stone. So Megallith refers to monuments build with large stones. The megalithic people buried the deads with erected big pieces of stones around the graves. The large pieces of stones have been found in granite areas. The stone circle was the first indication of megalith culture in South India.
Skeleton:- The remains of skeleton of that period show that Megalith people had a strong build and broad bones, thick skull, protruding teeth.
Religious belief:- Megalith people belive life after death. Such sites have been discovered in Khalpa, Naikund, Mahurghari in maharashtra, Brahmagiri, Hardahalli, Takalghat, Maski in South India
Life of Megalilthic people:- Earlier archaeologist believe that Megalithic people were nomadic hunters and food gatherer. The discovery of axe, Hammer, ploughshare prove that they were food produver. They grew ragi, and paddy in small fields and hill slopes. They use weapons like dagger, knife, sword, spear. THe discovery of iron tools provved that Megalith people were first Iron users in South India.
The main features of pottery of Megalith period:- Pottery were well baked and well fired, They are made on pottery wheel.. They have been found in red and black colour. The pottery have trademarks.
Origin of Megalith people:- Some archaeologists believe they were invaders from west Asia, The archaeological evidence indicates that Megalith people came from Ireland to India by the sea root, The Megalith culture gave rise to Satvahana culture. It is quiet probable that anchestors of the Marathas, Kannada, Telugu and Tamils are the Megaliths people.
Early history of Deccan:- The region to the south of Vindhya mountain and Narmada river call Deccan. Also known as Dakshina Patha. Satavahan emerged as powerful kingdom in Deccan. They influence the political system of Mauryans. King Simuka was the founder of Satvahana. Greatest Satvahana ruler- Gautami Putra Satkarni, his son Vasishthiputra Pulumavi. Last Satvahana ruler- Yajnasari Satakarni. Capital- Pratishthana(Now Paithan in maharashtra).
Satvahana rulers believed in devine powers of kings. they divided the territory into provinces. They were followers of hiduism and worshipped Vishnu and Shiva. Many buddhissts Chaityas and Viharas were built during this period. The rock cut Chaitya hall at Karle in Pune is the best example. The stupa at Amravati have carved panels depicting scenes from the life of Buddha. Satvahana rulers buillt roads and ships for external and internal trade. The trade relations with Rome, Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Burma, Malaya. They trade in vine copper, Tin, precious stones etc. The great Satvahan dynasty came to an end in 220 CE.
The empire cam into the hand of Rashtrakutas in maharashtra, The pallavas in Kanchi and Ikshwakus in Andhra region.