Mahabharata Culture, Megaliths and Microliths in Uttarakhand

Mahabharata Culture Megaliths and Microliths

Mahabharata Culture Megaliths and Microliths : The term ‘Megalithic’ is derived from two Greek words ‘Megas’ meaning large and ‘Lithos’ meaning stone. Hence, Megaliths literally mean large stones. The Megalithic period in Indian history begins around 3000 BCE and lasts till around 1000 BCE. This culture was mostly prevalent in South India, however traces of it have also been found in Central, Western and Eastern India as well as in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand.

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the Ramayana. The Mahabharata is an important source of information on the development of Hinduism between 400 BCE and 200 CE and is regarded by Hindus as both a text about dharma (Hindu moral law) and a history.

This article provides detailed information on the Megalithic culture, the various types of Megaliths found, the Microlithic tools and other findings associated with this culture. It also explores the links between the Mahabharata and the Megalithic culture.

Megalithic Culture in India

The Megalithic culture in India is marked by the building of megalithic monuments which are large stone burials. The various types of megalithic monuments found in India are:

Dolmens

• These are chamber tombs or portal tombs made of orthostats.
• Orthostats are large slabs or boulders of granite and other rocks.
• In Dolmens, four orthostats are driven vertically into the ground to make a chamber and these are capped by a fifth capstone to make a small chamber that resembles a hut.
• Dolmens have portholes which are small openings in one of the orthostats that allow the soul of the dead person to pass through.

Cist Burials

• Cist burials are stone lined graves.
• A pit is first dug into the ground. The floor is then lined with granite slabs.
• The four walls are also lined with stone slabs.
• Finally, it is covered on top with another slab.
• This makes an enclosed stone chamber that resembles a casket. Hence, it is called a cist or casket burial.

Urn Burials

• In urn burials, the calcined bones and ashes of the dead were collected and put in large urns and buried under round barrow heaped over with soil.

Menhirs

• Menhirs are tall elongated stones that are erected on the surface.
• They resemble pillars and were probably used as burial or commemorative memorials.

Rock Cut Cave Burials

• Some megalithic people made rock cut caves in hills and buried the dead with grave goods.

The grave goods in these burials consisted of iron tools and weapons, copper and bronze vessels, beads of semi-precious stones, pottery and other items of daily use.

Megalithic Culture in Uttarakhand

Traces of Megalithic culture have also been found in Uttarakhand:

Dolmens – Dolmens have been found in many parts of Uttarakhand like Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar and Almora districts.

Rock Cut Caves – Rock cut cave burials are found in the hilly slopes and valleys of Pithoragarh district.

Menhirs (Standing Stones) – Many menhirs have been found along river banks in Uttarakhand, especially in the Pindar valley of Pithoragarh district.

Urn Burials – Remains of urn burials have been found in many parts of Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.

Microliths & Other Findings

Microliths are small stone tools measuring between 1-10 cm in size. The Megalithic culture also produced tools like blades, burins, scrapers made of iron, copper and other metals. Pottery of the Black and Red Ware culture has also been found. Some burial pits containing bones, ashes and other materials have also been discovered related to this culture.

According to archaeologists, the makers of the Megalithic monuments could be the ancestors of the present-day Kol tribal community found in parts of Uttarakhand who still follow some old customs and traditions.

Links with Mahabharata

The Mahabharata contains several references to the various janapadas (kingdoms) in Uttarakhand such as:

• Kinnaras – Semi-divine tribe who were expert in music and arts
• Gandharvas – Divine musicians dwelling in the skies
• Yakshas – Semi-divine tribe adept in magic and illusion
• Kimpurushas – Half-men and half-horse creatures
• Vidyadharas – Possessors of magic and wisdom

It is possible that these mythical descriptions refer to actual pre-historic tribes living in the region of Uttarakhand. The Megalithic people could have been one of those tribes.

There are also references in the Mahabharata about the northern mountainous region where the Pandavas spent some time during their exile. The forests and mountains described seem to match the geography of Uttarakhand.

Overall, while no direct linkage has been established between the Megalithic culture and Mahabharata yet, circumstantial evidence in the form of matching cultural and geographical elements suggests a possibility that the Megalithic people could have been one of the ancient tribes inhabiting the region of Uttarakhand during the period of Mahabharata.

Conclusion to Mahabharata Culture Megaliths and Microliths

Mahabharata Culture Megaliths and Microliths : The Megalithic culture represents an important period in proto-history marked by the building of large stone monuments by ancient tribes in South and North India. In Uttarakhand, it may have been built by ancestors of present-day tribal groups like Kols. Megalithic findings show that Uttarakhand was inhabited since pre-historic times. References in the Mahabharata indicate the region could have been the dwelling place of ancient mythical tribes which might have had links to the Megalithic people. However, more archaeological evidence needs to be uncovered before all the pieces of this puzzle can be put together. Understanding the Megalithic culture provides us clues to fill the gaps in our knowledge about the ancient history of Uttarakhand.

FAQs on Mahabharata Culture, Megaliths and Microliths in Uttarakhand:

What is the Mahabharata culture found in Uttarakhand? 

The Mahabharata culture refers to the late stone age culture dated between 1000 BCE to 700 BCE found in Uttarakhand, known for megalithic monuments like menhirs, rock-cut caves and burial sites.

What are megaliths found in Uttarakhand? 

Megaliths are large stone structures built in the ancient times as burial or commemorative monuments, using large stone slabs. Many megalithic sites have been found in Uttarakhand, especially rock-cut caves, menhirs, dolmens, cairns etc.

What are microliths found in the region? 

Microliths refer to small stone tools, ranging from 1-10 cm in size, made by prehistoric humans during the Mesolithic period. These include blades, burins, scrapers, arrowheads etc. made from materials like quartz, agate, jasper etc.

What do these archaeological finds tell us? 

The Mahabharata culture remains, megalithic monuments and microlithic tools found in Uttarakhand provide evidence of development of settled life, burial rituals and tool making techniques of the prehistoric communities inhabiting the region.