Prehistory and Protohistory in India and Pakistan c4.s16: Attraction and Isolation
Prehistory and Protohistory in India and Pakistan c4.s16
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Attraction and Isolation
c4.s16.1
Among the physio-cultural regions, SUBBARAO regards (i) the Panjab, the Indo-Gangetic Divide, Gangetic Basin, Bengal, Malwa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamilnad as " Areas of Attraction or Nuclear Regions; " (2) Sind, Marwar, Gujarat, Saurashtra, Konkan, Kerala, Assam, as " Areas of Relative Isolation " and (3) the Aravallis, the Central Indian highlands and forests, as well as similar areas in Andhra as " Areas of Isolation or cul-de-sac."
c4.s16.2
While there is no difficulty in fully accepting¹¹ the last category or group, there is considerable difference of opinion about the first two groups. For, SPATE includes among the nuclear regions Gujarat, and Saurashtra, and Kerala or Malabar, among others in the south.
c4.s16.3
¹¹ Though even here it is necessary to prove by archaeological excavations, as HAIMENDORF suggested over 10 years ago, that these primitive tribes are comparatively recent arrivals in the area, and not residing there from time immemorial.
c4.s16.4
The main grounds of difference between SPATE and SUBBARAO are that whereas to the former—the nuclear regions—represent the major agricultural areas which have been "perennially significant in Indian historical geography," to the latter, following RICHARDS¹² besides the agricultural potential, relation of the region to the main continental highways is also a major consideration. Since, from SUBBARAO'S point of view, Sind, Saurashtra, Gujarat and even Kerala are situated away from the highways, these are areas of semi-isolation.
c4.s16.5
¹² RICHARDS, F. J., "Geographical Factors in Indian Archaeology", Indian Antiquary, Vol. LXII (1933), pp. 235-43.
c4.s16.6
This may be. However, these areas are not truly isolated or even semi-isolated. The Indus Valley (besides being more fertile) and the entire west coast are open to direct contact with Western Asia and beyond with the Mediterranean countries. Hence throughout (even during the Early Stone Ages according to WHEELER) the protohistoric and historic times, developments in Western Asia have sooner or later reached India. And in fact, as will be seen in the sequel, Sind, Saurashtra, Gujarat and even Rajasthan show the earliest traces of civilization, including urbanization.