The Personality of India: Pre- and Proto-historic Foundation of India and Pakistan c12.s3.13

c12.s3.13

Another very important fabric of pottery, which has a very wide distribution, is the Red polished Ware. Its focus is Gujarat and Kathiawad, where it occurs in nearly forty sites and in profusion. It is very distinctive by its fine clay body and its high resemblance to the Roman Samian and other Red wares of western Asia. Curiously it has the circumstantial association of Graeco-Roman antiquities; Cameo, bronze handle with the figure of Eros, Sculpture of Poseidon, Roman coins and clay bullae at a number of sites.¹ Some of the forms are characteristically Indian and it may be inferred that it represents the adoption of the Roman technique, as a result of commercial contacts. Though the forms are Indian, their chronology, luxurious character, limited occurrence at all sites and the characteristic association of Roman antiquities is too much of a coincidence to ignore this compromise. The Gangetic valley red wares are much inferior in fabric as well as in the treatment of the surface.