An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c16.s13: 11.13 Black-slipped Ware
An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c16.s13
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11.13 Black-slipped Ware
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The fairly smooth surface of the Black-slipped Ware has a basic resemblance with that of the NBPW [11.16] minus its gloss. Its earlier occurrence has led to the assumption that it represents an experimental stage in the development of the NBPW. With a wide distribution in the Ganga valley, it occurs along with an associated red ware in an independent deposit below the PGW [11.14] at NOH and ATRANJIKHERA, which may be regarded as phase A. It appears with the PGW in n., e.g. at CHAK 86 and SARDARGARH, and e. Rajasthan, e.g. at NOH, in Haryana, e.g. at ROPAR and BHAGWANPURA², and w. U.P., e.g. at HASTINĀPURA, AHICCHATRĀ, ALAMGIRPUR and ALLAHAPUR, which constitute phase B. In e. Uttar Pradesh, phase C, the stronghold of the NBPW, at such sites as RAJGHAT,⁴ PRAHLADPUR, KAUŚĀMBĪ, ŚRĀVASTĪ, VAIŚĀLĪ, CHIRAND and SONPUR, it is found in the pre-NBPW levels with the black-and-red ware [11.6.3] and is occasionally painted. Finally, in phase D it coexists with the NBPW over a wide area in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh—at CHIRAND, SONPUR, VAIŚĀLĪ, RAJGIR, PATALIPUTRA, RAJGHAT⁴, PRAHLADPUR, ŚRĀVASTĪ, KAUŚĀMBĪ, HASTINĀPURA, AHICCHATRĀ and UJJAIN.
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While generally the bowl of different types is the most common, the dish, followed by the jar, vase and miniature vessel, comes next in order of frequency. But in each phase the ware follows the types of the main industries.
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In Phase A the main shapes are: the deep bowl with a flattish base and flaring or tapering sides; the bowl with an incurred rim; and bowl with convex sides and an out-turned beaded rim, similar to an Ahar² type [11.6.2]. Gaur, 1969, p. 114, has mentioned certain shapes exclusive to this ware at ATRANJIKHERA, e.g. a miniature vase with an out-turned collared rim and slightly carinated neck.
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In Phase B the ware follows the shapes of the PGW and black-and-red ware: the bowl with a sharp rim, expanding mouth and carination towards the convex base; the bowl with a vertical and internally sharpened rim, corrugated sides and flat base (ATRANJIKHERA); and the bowl with a vertical sharpened rim and flat base (HASTINĀPURA and ŚRĀVASTĪ). The dish with a vertical and internally sharp rim and carination at the base and the miniature dish are also available. The jar and vase are present at ATRANJIKHERA and ŚRĀVASTĪ.
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The common shapes in Phase C are the straight-sided bowl, carinated bowl, hemispherical bowl, subovaloid bowl and convex-sided bowl. A corrugated stem with its base has been found at PRAHLADPUR. Some of the shapes are said to have similarity with those of the Chalcolithic culture of c. India [4.14.5].
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In phase B the ware is invariably plain. However in Phase A a couple of decorated sherds have been found at NOH (kindly shown to the writer by V. Kumar of the Rajasthan State, Dept of Arch.). In phases C and D the ware is sometimes painted in white or dull pigment with simple geometric designs like strokes and lines seemingly resembling the corresponding designs in the PGW.
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Gaur [1969] states that in Phase A the ware has a fine quality though pots in impure clay and with gritty core, ill-fired and turned on a slow wheel, are also present. But generally the ware has a fine to medium fabric and is turned on a fast wheel. Thick sherds are also found. A smooth black slip is uniformly applied on the surface, giving a fairly shiny appearance but lacking the lustre of the NBPW. Instance of burnishing are also noticed. The core is grey. [Hedge (1975) on the basis of his examination of a few sherds from HASTINĀPURA, says that the black pigment is composed of magnetite. When a fragment is heated in an open crucible the black colour turns red. It is possible to infer that the black slip is produced by the application of liquid clay containing finely ground red ochre, burnishing it and baking in a reducing atmosphere].
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Gaur, R.C., 1969, in Sinha, B.P., ed., *Potteries in Ancient India*, Patna. Hegde, K.T.M., 1975, in *Antiquity*, 49. Tripathi, V., 1976, *Painted Grey Ware—an Iron Age Culture of n. India*, Delhi. Verma, B.S., 1969, in Sinha, B.P., ed., *op. cit.* For sites see respective entries in vol. II.—V. TRIPATHI