Stages of agriculture development – Era of civilization- Importance of Neolithic civilization One Liner

Stages of Agriculture Development

1. 12000-9500 years ago: Hunters and food-gatherers stage existed in the Indian subcontinent.
2. Stone implements (microliths) were used throughout the subcontinent during this period.
3. Domestication of the dog occurred in Iraq.
4. Vegetative propagation was the earliest form of agriculture (e.g., bananas, sugarcane).
5. 9500-7500 years ago: Wild ancestors of wheat, barley, and livestock like goat, sheep, and cattle were found.
6. 7500-5000 years ago: Invention of plough, irrigation farming, and metallurgy emerged, with seed dibbling practiced in Egypt.
7. 5000-4000 years ago: Harappan culture thrived, with wheat, barley, and cotton cultivation using plough and bullocks.
8. Wheeled carts were commonly used in the Indus Valley.
9. Harappans also invented methods for ginning, spinning, and weaving cotton.
10. 4000-2000 years ago: Bone/stone tools and copper axes were found in places like North Arcot and Nevasa.
11. Crops like wheat, lentil, and mung bean were grown in various regions.
12. 2000-1500 years ago: Tank irrigation systems were widely developed and practiced.
13. Greek and Romans traded with South India, importing pepper, cloth, and sandalwood.
14. Chola King Karikala (190 AD) built a 160 km embankment along the Cauvery River and promoted agriculture.
15. 1500-1000 years ago: Extensive cultivation of cereals like wheat, rice, and millets under the Kanauj Empire of Harshavardhana.
16. Persian wheel was used in irrigation during Harshavardhana’s reign.
17. South Indian kingdoms, including the Cholas, developed new irrigation systems.
18. 1000-700 years ago: Arab conquest of Sind in 711-712 AD impacted agriculture, with Arabs bringing gardening expertise.
19. Alauddin Khilji (1290-1320 AD) destroyed agricultural prosperity in India, keeping farmers poor.

Era of Civilization

1. Human evolution began around 1.7 million years ago with Homo erectus.
2. Homo sapiens evolved from Cro-Magnon man, and Neanderthal man was prevalent in Europe and Asia.
3. Modern Homo sapiens sapiens spread globally after the last glacial period (~10,000 years ago).
4. 8700-7700 BC: Man began domesticating sheep and goats, marking a shift to settled life.
5. Neanderthal man was a primitive form of Homo sapiens found in Europe and Asia.
6. The Stone Age is divided into Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic periods.
7. Paleolithic Period (2,50,000 to 10,000 BC): Early humans were hunters and food gatherers, using basic stone tools.
8. Mesolithic Period (10,000 to 3,700 BC): Characterized by microliths, and domestication of animals began.
9. Neolithic Period (7500-9500 BC): Early agriculture began, with humans living in settled villages.
10. The Neolithic Revolution began in the Fertile Crescent, bringing changes in food production techniques.
11. Neolithic culture in India included the use of polished stone axes, hand-made pottery, and weaving textiles.
12. Rice, bananas, yams, and millets were cultivated in different parts of India during the Neolithic period.
13. The Bronze Age (Chalcolithic culture) marked the use of copper and bronze tools alongside stone tools.
14. Agriculture shifted from hilly areas to river valleys during the Bronze Age.
15. Iron Age began with the arrival of Aryans, using iron tools for farming.
16. Sickle was the primary harvesting tool during the Iron Age.
17. Iron ploughs, sickles, and hoes were used for farming in the Iron Age.
18. Domesticated animals included sheep, goats, cattle, and elephants during the Iron Age.

Importance of the Neolithic Civilization

1. Neolithic Revolution allowed for the transition from nomadic life to settled agricultural societies.
2. Permanent settlements were established, leading to the growth of villages and towns.
3. Food surplus created by agriculture allowed societies to develop arts, culture, and technology.
4. Domestication of plants like rice, wheat, and barley helped ensure food security.
5. The Neolithic period saw the emergence of more complex social structures.
6. Technological innovations such as pottery, weaving, and agriculture were crucial to early civilization.
7. Agriculture during the Neolithic age laid the foundation for the rise of cities and trade networks.
8. Social differentiation began as a result of the specialization in tasks such as farming, tool-making, and trade.
9. Cultural and religious practices also evolved as communities settled and grew in size.
10. The Neolithic period marks the beginning of human attempts to control the environment through farming and domestication.