History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c39.s2.t2.1

v1.c39.s2.t2.1

As we approach the ‘historical period’ in ancient India, it may be profitable to dwell on the title of the paper: ‘Social Factors in the Development of Technology in India’. The earlier scholars, plagued with the paucity of data, erroneously presumed that the Harappan technology ‘suddenly’ developed, probably imported from Iran. While advocating the indigenous model, we do not ignore the factor of gradual diffusion of scientific knowledge and technical know-how through trade contact. As a matter of fact, we insist that technological development and urbanisation (a related phenomenon) have often been sparked by trade contacts with other cultures.