The Personality of India: Pre- and Proto-historic Foundation of India and Pakistan c15.s2.7

c15.s2.7

Another crucial evidence is provided by the black-and-red ware which has an epi-centre (in a cultural context) in the Rajasthan (Ahar area) and the influence of this technique is seen in all the contemporary cultures. Following the nature of these contacts—fusion with the dominance of the resident traits—we see an affinity with the forms of the local ceramics. This is natural and those who argue in favour of the occurrence of a mere technique, should explain the origin of this technique, if they do not agree with the author that its epi-centre is Eastern Rajasthan. The evidence from Bikaner, Rupar, Kausambi, Patna and Sonepur can be explained as follows. The black-and-red ware which appears with the Post-Harappan cultures bridges the gap between the Grey ware and the N.B.P., which very significantly carries the influence in forms and technique of the Grey ware as well as the black-and-red wares of the Gangetic basin. Thus here we see the illumination of the so called "Dark period". We should be aware of the dangers of inflating our chronology and exaggerating the gaps; and at the same, we should not go the other extreme of simplifying the system either. We are well on our way, and if one were allowed to use the expression, we are at the end of the beginning of the reconstruction of the entire culture sequence in the nuclear areas.