Pre-Historic Mewar—An Appraisal

Summary

In "Pre‑Historic Mewar—An Appraisal" the author surveys the prehistoric archaeology and environment of Mewar, a region in Rajasthan bounded by the Aravalli hills. The paper begins by describing the varied physiography of Mewar—rocky uplands, deserts, fertile plains and rivers—and suggests that these features shaped early human settlement. Archaeological surveys have discovered Lower Palaeolithic hand‑axes, cleavers and choppers in river valleys and uplands, indicating Acheulian‑like industries. Later industries, termed Series II and III, show technological progression and are linked to changing climate conditions. The article notes that tools from the Berach, Gambhiri and Banas valleys reflect a continuous occupation from Lower Palaeolithic through Mesolithic and into Neolithic times. Microliths associated with hunter‑gatherer groups have been found near lakes, while evidence of early agriculture and domesticated animals suggests the emergence of settled life. The study highlights discoveries at Chittorgarh and Udaipur districts where stone tools of differing series coexist, implying overlapping cultural phases. The author also discusses theories on how invaders and migrants entered the Indian subcontinent through passes in the Aravalli range, using Mewar as a corridor. Integrating geological observations with artifact distributions, the paper argues that Mewar’s environment supported continuous human presence across the prehistoric period. It calls for more systematic stratigraphic excavations and interdisciplinary research to refine chronological sequences and better understand the relationship between environmental change and human adaptation in the region.