What are the salient features of the Mesolithic age in India?
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Answer:
Discuss salient features of Mesolithic culture in India with special reference to western India.
Themes have increased and paintings are smaller in size compared to Paleolithic age.
Hunting scenes predominate.
Lot of animals were painted, some showing fear of them and some compassion for them.
Mesolithic is the period between the Upper Paleolithic and the Neolithic. The terms "Paleolithic" and "Neolithic" were introduced by John Lubbock in his work Pre-historic Times in 1865. The additional "Mesolithic" category was added as an intermediate category by Hodder Westropp in 1866. The Mesolithic Age, which means Middle Stone Age, was the second part of the Stone Age. This age is characterized by the use of Microliths (small bladed stone tools).
*Important Facts related to the Mesolithic Age*
1. In India, it spanned around 9,000 B.C. to 4,000 B.C. This age was a transitional phase between the Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age.
2. The people of this age lived on hunting, fishing, and food gathering initially but later on they also domesticated animals.
3. The characteristic tools of this age were Microliths.
4. The people of this age practised painting. The paintings depicted birds, animals, and human beings. A considerable number of painted rock shelters have been found in Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh.
5. Mesolithic sites have been found in Rajasthan, south of the river Krishna, central and eastern parts of India, and also in southern Uttar Pradesh
6. Bagor in Rajasthan and Adamgarh in Madhya Pradesh are examples of Mesolithic sites in India.
