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Sources of Indian 
History and 
Prehistoric Period
Page 2


Sources of Indian 
History and 
Prehistoric Period
Stone Age Classification
1
Paleolithic Period (2 million BC - 10,000 BC)
Old Stone Age during the Pleistocene period. 'Negrito' race 
people lived in open areas, river valleys, and caves. They 
gathered food, hunted, and used rough stone tools. Robert 
Bruce Foote discovered India's first paleolithic tool.
2
Mesolithic Period (10,000 BC - 8000 BC)
Middle Stone Age transitional period characterized by 
microliths (small stone tools). Warming climate changed 
flora and fauna. Key sites: Bagor (Rajasthan) and Adamgarh 
(Madhya Pradesh), which shows earliest evidence of animal 
domestication.
3
Neolithic Period (8000 BC - 4000 BC)
New Stone Age saw humans transition from food gatherers 
to producers through agriculture. Features included 
polished stone tools, pottery, and permanent settlements. 
Mehrgarh (Balochistan) demonstrates advanced Neolithic 
society with wheat cultivation and mud-brick houses.
Page 3


Sources of Indian 
History and 
Prehistoric Period
Stone Age Classification
1
Paleolithic Period (2 million BC - 10,000 BC)
Old Stone Age during the Pleistocene period. 'Negrito' race 
people lived in open areas, river valleys, and caves. They 
gathered food, hunted, and used rough stone tools. Robert 
Bruce Foote discovered India's first paleolithic tool.
2
Mesolithic Period (10,000 BC - 8000 BC)
Middle Stone Age transitional period characterized by 
microliths (small stone tools). Warming climate changed 
flora and fauna. Key sites: Bagor (Rajasthan) and Adamgarh 
(Madhya Pradesh), which shows earliest evidence of animal 
domestication.
3
Neolithic Period (8000 BC - 4000 BC)
New Stone Age saw humans transition from food gatherers 
to producers through agriculture. Features included 
polished stone tools, pottery, and permanent settlements. 
Mehrgarh (Balochistan) demonstrates advanced Neolithic 
society with wheat cultivation and mud-brick houses.
What is Prehistoric?
No Written Records
The prehistoric period refers 
to the distant past when 
there was no paper, 
language, or written word, 
leaving no books or 
documents to tell us about 
human life and activities.
Archaeological 
Reconstruction
Scholars have constructed 
knowledge about prehistoric 
times through excavations, 
studying old tools, habitats, 
animal and human bones 
found at prehistoric sites.
Cave Art as Evidence
Paintings and drawings on 
cave walls were the oldest 
art forms through which 
prehistoric humans 
expressed themselves, 
providing valuable insights 
into their lives and culture.
Page 4


Sources of Indian 
History and 
Prehistoric Period
Stone Age Classification
1
Paleolithic Period (2 million BC - 10,000 BC)
Old Stone Age during the Pleistocene period. 'Negrito' race 
people lived in open areas, river valleys, and caves. They 
gathered food, hunted, and used rough stone tools. Robert 
Bruce Foote discovered India's first paleolithic tool.
2
Mesolithic Period (10,000 BC - 8000 BC)
Middle Stone Age transitional period characterized by 
microliths (small stone tools). Warming climate changed 
flora and fauna. Key sites: Bagor (Rajasthan) and Adamgarh 
(Madhya Pradesh), which shows earliest evidence of animal 
domestication.
3
Neolithic Period (8000 BC - 4000 BC)
New Stone Age saw humans transition from food gatherers 
to producers through agriculture. Features included 
polished stone tools, pottery, and permanent settlements. 
Mehrgarh (Balochistan) demonstrates advanced Neolithic 
society with wheat cultivation and mud-brick houses.
What is Prehistoric?
No Written Records
The prehistoric period refers 
to the distant past when 
there was no paper, 
language, or written word, 
leaving no books or 
documents to tell us about 
human life and activities.
Archaeological 
Reconstruction
Scholars have constructed 
knowledge about prehistoric 
times through excavations, 
studying old tools, habitats, 
animal and human bones 
found at prehistoric sites.
Cave Art as Evidence
Paintings and drawings on 
cave walls were the oldest 
art forms through which 
prehistoric humans 
expressed themselves, 
providing valuable insights 
into their lives and culture.
Literary Sources of Prehistoric 
Period
1
Ancient Epics
Ramayana and Mahabharata, 
though primarily religious, 
contain valuable historical 
information about ancient 
kingdoms, society, and culture.
2
Religious and 
Philosophical Texts
Upanishads form the 
foundation of Indian 
philosophy, while Jaina and 
Buddhist texts like Dipavamsa 
and Mahavamsa preserve 
historical traditions about 
ancient India.
3
Political Treatises
Kautilya's Arthashastra and Manusmriti detail Mauryan administrative 
principles, while works by Vishakhadatta and Kalidasa provide insights 
into ancient society.
Page 5


Sources of Indian 
History and 
Prehistoric Period
Stone Age Classification
1
Paleolithic Period (2 million BC - 10,000 BC)
Old Stone Age during the Pleistocene period. 'Negrito' race 
people lived in open areas, river valleys, and caves. They 
gathered food, hunted, and used rough stone tools. Robert 
Bruce Foote discovered India's first paleolithic tool.
2
Mesolithic Period (10,000 BC - 8000 BC)
Middle Stone Age transitional period characterized by 
microliths (small stone tools). Warming climate changed 
flora and fauna. Key sites: Bagor (Rajasthan) and Adamgarh 
(Madhya Pradesh), which shows earliest evidence of animal 
domestication.
3
Neolithic Period (8000 BC - 4000 BC)
New Stone Age saw humans transition from food gatherers 
to producers through agriculture. Features included 
polished stone tools, pottery, and permanent settlements. 
Mehrgarh (Balochistan) demonstrates advanced Neolithic 
society with wheat cultivation and mud-brick houses.
What is Prehistoric?
No Written Records
The prehistoric period refers 
to the distant past when 
there was no paper, 
language, or written word, 
leaving no books or 
documents to tell us about 
human life and activities.
Archaeological 
Reconstruction
Scholars have constructed 
knowledge about prehistoric 
times through excavations, 
studying old tools, habitats, 
animal and human bones 
found at prehistoric sites.
Cave Art as Evidence
Paintings and drawings on 
cave walls were the oldest 
art forms through which 
prehistoric humans 
expressed themselves, 
providing valuable insights 
into their lives and culture.
Literary Sources of Prehistoric 
Period
1
Ancient Epics
Ramayana and Mahabharata, 
though primarily religious, 
contain valuable historical 
information about ancient 
kingdoms, society, and culture.
2
Religious and 
Philosophical Texts
Upanishads form the 
foundation of Indian 
philosophy, while Jaina and 
Buddhist texts like Dipavamsa 
and Mahavamsa preserve 
historical traditions about 
ancient India.
3
Political Treatises
Kautilya's Arthashastra and Manusmriti detail Mauryan administrative 
principles, while works by Vishakhadatta and Kalidasa provide insights 
into ancient society.
Archaeological Evidence
Sir William Jones 
(1784)
Established the Asiatic 
Society of Bengal on 
January 1, 1784, laying the 
foundation for systematic 
study of India's ancient 
past and archaeological 
research.
Alexander 
Cunningham (1862)
Known as the Father of 
Indian Archaeology, he 
studied ancient India 
alongside his military 
duties. In 1862, he was 
appointed as the first 
Archaeological Surveyor 
by the Indian government.
Lord Curzon & John 
Marshall (1901)
Lord Curzon expanded the 
Archaeological Survey, 
appointing John Marshall 
as Director-General, who 
oversaw significant 
advancements in 
archaeological exploration.
Discovery of Indus Valley (1921-22)
Daya Ram Sahni discovered Harappa, while R.D. Banerjee excavated Mohenjodaro, revealing 
India's oldest cities dating back to the second Inter-Glacial period (400,000-200,000 BC).