Ch 04 - New Beginnings: Cities and States7th Social Science
1st vs. 2nd Urbanisation
Compare the 'First Urbanisation' (Harappan) with the 'Second Urbanisation' based on Geography, Metal, and Timeline.
Compare the 'First Urbanisation' (Harappan) with the 'Second Urbanisation' based on Geography, Metal, and Timeline.
Urbanisation Comparison
- 1st Urbanisation (Harappan):
- Region: Indus Valley (Northwest).
- Metal: Bronze and Copper.
- Timeline: ~2600 to 1900 BCE.
- Writing: Undeciphered script.
- 2nd Urbanisation (Mahajanapada Era):
- Region: Ganga Plains (North and East).
- Metal: Iron.
- Timeline: ~600 to 300 BCE.
- Writing: Brahmi script (Deciphered).
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The Second Urbanisation
What specifically is referred to as the 'Second Urbanisation' and what were its primary drivers?
What specifically is referred to as the 'Second Urbanisation' and what were its primary drivers?
Second Urbanisation (1st Millennium BCE)
- Context: After the total decline of the Harappan Civilisation (First Urbanisation), urban city life disappeared in the subcontinent for approximately 1,000 years.
- Revival: A massive new phase of city-building eventually began in the fertile Ganga Plains.
- Key Drivers:
- The widespread mastery and use of Iron technology.
- The rise of large, consolidated political states (Mahajanapadas).
- Massive agricultural surplus leading to trade expansion.
Prism Memory Hook
First was Indus (Bronze), Second was Ganga (Iron).
Iron Technology Timeline
Differentiate between the 'perfection' and the 'widespread use' of Iron technology in ancient India.
Differentiate between the 'perfection' and the 'widespread use' of Iron technology in ancient India.
Iron Timeline
- Perfection: The advanced techniques of extracting and shaping raw iron were gradually perfected starting from the Early 2nd Millennium BCE.
- Widespread Use: It took several centuries for this technology to become cheap and accessible enough to be part of daily civil life. By the Late 2nd Millennium BCE, iron tools became widespread, directly driving the economic boom of the Second Urbanisation.
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Also in this chapter
30 more cards to study in Prism
- 4Impact of Iron Technology
- 5Iron & Warfare
- 6Sanchi Stupa Source
- 7Janapada: Etymology
- 8The 16 Mahajanapadas
- 9Capitals: The Outer Rim
- 10Mahajanapada: Ashmaka
- 11Geography: The Ganga Advantage
- 12Mahajanapadas & Capitals
- 13Ancient Capitals in Modern India
- 14City Fortification & Gateways
- 15Magadha's Rise to Power
- 16Governance: Monarchy vs. Gana
- 17Early Democratic Traditions: Vajji
- 18Role of Sabha and Samiti
- 19Taxes (Bhaga)
- 20The Varna System
- 21Varna vs. Jati
- 22Etymology: Caste
- 23Social Mobility & Caste Rigidity
- 24Punch-Marked Coins
- 25Trade Route: Uttarapatha
- 26Trade Route: Dakshinapatha
- 27Interconnected Subcontinent
- 28Rise of Southern Kingdoms
- 29Archaeological Site: Sisupalgarh
- 30Archaeological Site: Kodumanal
- 31Sources of History
- 32Kautilya's Arthashastra & State Resilience
- 33End of Mahajanapadas
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