Prehistory and Protohistory in India and Pakistan c4.11

c4.11

Now the question arises: "Why should India be always at the receiving end?" Should not have some movements radiated out from India? It has been mentioned above that the role of India as a civilizing influence in historical times *vis-à-vis* South-East Asia and Central Asia has been amply demonstrated. But with regard to the beginnings of civilization which belong to the realm of proto-history it is held that the regions of Western Asia such as Mesopotamia, Syria and Iran were more favourably situated for the birth and spread of civilization, particularly, agriculture and domestication of animals. This belt rising in Egypt and passing over Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia (Iraq) and Iran was called the "Fertile Crescent" by BREASTED.¹