Prehistory and Protohistory in India and Pakistan c4.s20: Proto-History
Prehistory and Protohistory in India and Pakistan c4.s20
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Proto-History
c4.s20.1
Likewise, the Indus Valley or Harappa Civilization, though included by some writers under Prehistory, should and is here included under proto-history.
c4.s20.2
For, firstly, their authors were not illiterate, as amply demonstrated by their seals, and it is not their fault if we cannot decipher their script. Secondly, this civilization is one of the sources of the later-day Brahmanism and Hinduism. In a twofold way, thus, Indus Civilization is protohistoric for us. By this definition proto-history in India would also comprise the various Chalcolithic cultures which were contemporary with and very often immediate successors of the Indus Civilization. Their exact geographical scope and time range will be pointed out later.
c4.s20.3
Prehistoric Archaeology then will deal with that period of time in India of which we have no legend, no tradition and no object, save stone (and bone) implements and remains of animals. This is not a very precise definition, but will, I find, serve our purpose. Briefly, then, prehistoric archaeology will comprise the various Stone Ages.