Process of urbanization in bronze age civilization
Answers
Answer:
The first phase of urbanization is represented by the planned cities of the Bronze-age Harappan civilization from the 4th to 2nd millennium BCE. The rise of towns in the Indus zone was based on agricultural surplus, the making of bronze tools, various other crafts and widespread trade and commerce. The main features of the Harappan cities were the rise in the density of population, close integration of economic and social processes, careful planning for urban expansion, flourishing of several crafts, growth of trade and commerce, and scope for artisans and craftsmen. Some scholars have termed the rise of Harappan civilization as an urban revolution that was possibly based on a strong centralized political authority, specialized economic organization and also socio-cultural unity. Planned lay-out of streets, large-scale drainage system and strong citadels were the features indicating a strong government. These traits, in totality, helped in the first urbanization in India. Although this culture was confined to the Indus region and the major part of the subcontinent remained unaffected by this urbanism, as it left no legacy beyond the middle of the 2ndmillennium BCE.
2. The second phase of urbanization spanned from around 6th century BCE to the end of 3rd century CE, in the area in and around the middle Gangetic plains. The towns in this phase were distinguished by crafts and commerce and reached their height of prosperity in the period between 2nd century BCE and 3rdcentury CE (Sharma, 1987, 178). This phase witnessed stages of internal growth and horizontal expansion of cities which was reflected in the distribution of two elements: multifunctional syllabic script and coinage (Chattopadhyaya 1994, 159). The increase in craft production, local and long-distance trade in costly goods and the availability of agricultural produce from the hinterland boosted urbanization in the post-Maurya times. There was also an enormous expansion of trade networks in this phase when India’s contact with Central Asia and Roman world reached its saturation (Sharma, 1987, 178). This phase also had an impact on peninsular India due to spread of trade and commercial activities in the Ganga valley. At this time, south India, too, witnessed the impact of maritime trade with the Roman world. In peninsular India, this phase represents the first phase of urbanization.
Read more on Brainly.in - https://brainly.in/question/2017434#readmore