An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s1.19

v1.c9.s1.19

While the Deccan and s. India were in the grip of the Megalithic culture, n. India and the middle Ganga region witnessed the beginnings of the early historical period [4.18] in the middle of the 1st millennium B.C. The first half of the period saw the rise of large kingdoms and distinct changes in the life-style of the people. Gradually it spread to the rest of India, supplanting or modifying the existing cultures and sometimes breaking new grounds. From the 2nd century B.C. the establishment of foreign kingdoms in n.-w. and c. regions and the upper Deccan resulted in trade with the Mediterranean world and this added affluence to the towns; it also affected art. In the s. maritime trade developed ports, emporia and consequent prosperity, though how much of the life of the non-urban people was affected is not known. The end of all this also marks the end of the early historical period, to be followed by the late historical period [4.19], of which not much archaeological material is available, though religious edifices, sculptures and inscriptions are plentiful.