Quick Links
Quick Links
UPSC Exams
Latest Update
Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
Syllabus
UPSC Notes
Previous Year Papers
UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers Last 25 Years UPSC Prelims Question Papers Last 10 Years UPSC Question Papers UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC Mains 2024 Model Answers UPSC 2024 Question Papers UPSC 2023 Question Papers UPSC 2022 Question Papers UPSC 2021 Question Papers UPSC 2020 Question Papers UPSC 2019 Question Papers UPSC 2018 Question Papers UPSC 2017 Question Papers UPSC 2016 Question Papers UPSC 2015 Question Papers UPSC 2014 Question Papers UPSC CSAT Question Papers UPSC IFS Previous Year Paper UPSC Assistant Labour Commissioner Previous Question Year Papers UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Previous Year Paper UPSC APFC Previous Year Question Papers UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Paper UPSC EPFO Previous Year Paper UPSC Air Safety Officer Previous Year Papers UPSC SO Steno Previous Year Paper UPSC IES ISS Previous Year Question Papers
Mock Tests
UPSC Editorial
Bilateral Ties
Albania India Relations India Algeria Relations Andorra India Relations India Angola Relations India Antigua Barbuda Relations India Argentina Relations Austria India Relations India Azerbaijan Relations Bahamas India Relations India Bahrain Relations Barbados India Relations India Belarus Relations Belgium India Relations Belize India Relations Benin India Relations Bolivia India Relations India Bosnia Herzegovina Relations India Botswana Relations Brazil India Relations Brunei India Relations Bulgaria India Relations Burundi India Relations Cabo Verde India Relations India Cambodia Relations India Cameroon Relations Canada India Relations India Cayman Islands Relations India Central African Republic Relations India Chad Relations Chile India Relations India Colombia Relations India Comoros Relations India Democratic Republic Of The Congo Relations India Republic Of The Congo Relations India Cook Islands Relations India Costa Rica Relations India Ivory Coast Relations India Croatia Relations India Cyprus Relations India Czech Republic Relations India Djibouti Relations India Dominica Relations India Dominican Republic Relations India Ecuador Relations India El Salvador Relations India Equatorial Guinea Relations India Eritrea Relations Estonia India Relations India Ethiopia Relations India Fiji Relations India Finland Relations India Gabon Relations India Gambia Relations India Georgia Relations Germany India Relations India Ghana Relations India Greece Relations India Grenada Relations India Guatemala Relations India Guinea Relations India Guinea Bissau Relations India Guyana Relations India Haiti Relations India Holy See Relations India Honduras Relations India Hong Kong Relations India Hungary Relations India Iceland Relations India Indonesia Relations India Iran Relations India Iraq Relations India Ireland Relations India Jamaica Relations India Kazakhstan Relations India Kenya Relations India Kingdom Of Eswatini Relations India Kiribati Relations India Kuwait Relations India Kyrgyzstan Relations India Laos Relations Latvia India Relations India Lebanon Relations India Lesotho Relations India Liberia Relations Libya India Relations Liechtenstein India Relations India Lithuania Relations India Luxembourg Relations India Macao Relations Madagascar India Relations India Malawi Relations India Mali Relations India Malta Relations India Marshall Islands Relations India Mauritania Relations India Micronesia Relations India Moldova Relations Monaco India Relations India Montenegro Relations India Montserrat Relations India Morocco Relations Mozambique India Relations India Namibia Relations India Nauru Relations Netherlands India Relations India Nicaragua Relations India Niger Relations India Nigeria Relations India Niue Relations India North Macedonia Relations Norway India Relations India Palau Relations India Panama Relations India Papua New Guinea Relations India Paraguay Relations Peru India Relations India Philippines Relations Qatar India Relations India Romania Relations Rwanda India Relations India Saint Kitts And Nevis Relations India Saint Lucia Relations India Saint Vincent And Grenadines Relations India Samoa Relations India Sao Tome And Principe Relations Saudi Arabia India Relations India Senegal Relations Serbia India Relations India Sierra Leone Relations India Singapore Relations India Slovak Republic Relations India Slovenia Relations India Solomon Islands Relations Somalia India Relations India South Sudan Relations India Spain Relations India Sudan Relations Suriname India Relations India Sweden Relations India Syria Relations India Tajikistan Relations Tanzania India Relations India Togo Relations India Tonga Islands Relations India Trinidad And Tobago Relations India Tunisia Relations India Turkmenistan Relations India Turks And Caicos Islands Relations India Tuvalu Relations India Uganda Relations India Ukraine Relations India Uae Relations India Uruguay Relations India Uzbekistan Relations India Vanuatu Relations India Venezuela Relations India British Virgin Islands Relations Yemen India Relations India Zambia Relations India Zimbabwe Relations
Books
Government Schemes
Production Linked Incentive Scheme Integrated Processing Development Scheme Rodtep Scheme Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme Saathi Scheme Uday Scheme Hriday Scheme Samagra Shiksha Scheme India Nishta Scheme Stand Up India Scheme Sahakar Mitra Scheme Mdms Mid Day Meal Scheme Integrated Child Protection Scheme Vatsalya Scheme Operation Green Scheme Nai Roshni Scheme Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme Kalia Scheme Ayushman Sahakar Scheme Nirvik Scheme Fame India Scheme Kusum Scheme Pm Svanidhi Scheme Pmvvy Scheme Pm Aasha Scheme Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme Pradhan Mantri Lpg Panjayat Scheme Mplads Scheme Svamitva Scheme Pat Scheme Udan Scheme Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat Scheme National Pension Scheme Ujala Scheme Operation Greens Scheme Gold Monetisation Scheme Family Planning Insurance Scheme Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Topics
NASA Space Missions
NASA Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Redstone 4 (Liberty Bell 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 7 (Aurora 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Mission NASA Gemini 3 Mission NASA Gemini 4 Mission NASA Gemini 5 Mission NASA Gemini 7 Mission NASA Gemini 8 Mission NASA Gemini 9 Mission NASA Gemini 10 Mission NASA Gemini 11 Mission NASA Gemini 12 Mission NASA Apollo 1 (AS‑204) Mission NASA Apollo 7 Mission NASA Apollo 8 Mission NASA Apollo 9 Mission NASA Apollo 10 Mission NASA Apollo 11 Mission NASA Apollo 12 Mission NASA Apollo 13 Mission NASA Apollo 14 Mission NASA Apollo 15 Mission NASA Apollo 16 Mission NASA Apollo 17 Mission NASA Skylab Orbital Workshop Mission NASA Skylab 2 Mission NASA Skylab 3 Mission NASA Skylab 4 Mission NASA Apollo–Soyuz Test Project Mission NASA STS‑1 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑3 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑7 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑8 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41B Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41G Discovery (1st female EVA) Mission NASA STS‑51L Challenger (accident) Mission NASA STS‑26 Discovery (Return‑to‑Flight) Mission NASA STS‑31 Discovery (Hubble Launch) Mission NASA STS‑49 Endeavour (first capture EVA) Mission NASA STS‑61 Endeavour (Hubble Servicing 1) Mission NASA STS‑73 Columbia (microgravity) Mission NASA STS‑95 Discovery (John Glenn returns) Mission NASA STS‑107 Columbia (accident) Mission NASA STS‑114 Discovery (RTF‑2) Mission NASA STS‑120 Discovery (Node 2) Mission NASA STS‑125 Atlantis (Final Hubble Service) Mission NASA STS‑132 Atlantis Mission NASA STS‑135 Atlantis (Final Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Artemis I (Orion/ SLS‑1) Mission NASA Artemis II (Planned) Mission NASA Artemis III (Planned lunar landing) Mission NASA Mariner 4 Mission NASA Mariner 6 Mission NASA Mariner 7 Mission NASA Mariner 9 Mission NASA Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Viking 2 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Mars Pathfinder & Sojourner Mission NASA Mars Global Surveyor Mission NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Spirit Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Opportunity Mission NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Mission NASA InSight Mars Lander Mission NASA Mars 2020 (Perseverance & Ingenuity) Mission NASA Mars Sample Return – SRL (planned) Mission NASA Pioneer 10 Mission NASA Pioneer 11 Mission NASA Voyager 1 Mission NASA Voyager 2 Mission NASA Galileo Jupiter Orbiter/Probe Mission NASA Cassini–Huygens Mission NASA New Horizons (Pluto & KBO) Mission NASA Juno Mission NASA Europa Clipper (planned) Mission NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission NASA Solar Orbiter (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Surveyor 1 Mission NASA Lunar Orbiter 1 Mission NASA Lunar Prospector Mission NASA LCROSS Mission NASA LADEE Mission NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA VIPER Rover (planned) Mission NASA NEAR Shoemaker Mission NASA Deep Space 1 Mission NASA Stardust Mission NASA Genesis Mission NASA Deep Impact Mission NASA Dawn (Vesta/Ceres) Mission NASA OSIRIS‑REx Mission NASA Lucy Mission NASA DART Mission NASA Landsat‑1 (ERTS‑1) Mission NASA Landsat‑5 Mission NASA Landsat‑9 Mission NASA Terra Mission NASA Aqua Mission NASA Aura Mission NASA Suomi NPP Mission NASA Sentinel‑6 Michael Freilich Mission NASA ICESat‑2 Mission NASA GRACE‑FO Mission NASA SMAP Mission NASA GPM Core Observatory Mission NASA CALIPSO Mission NASA CloudSat Mission NASA NISAR (NASA‑ISRO) Mission NASA Explorer 1 Mission NASA COBE Mission NASA Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Mission NASA Hubble Space Telescope Mission NASA Chandra X‑ray Observatory Mission NASA Spitzer Space Telescope Mission NASA WISE Mission NASA Kepler Mission NASA TESS Mission NASA Fermi Gamma‑ray Space Telescope Mission NASA NICER Mission NASA IXPE Mission NASA Roman Space Telescope (planned) Mission NASA NuSTAR Mission NASA GALEX Mission NASA Swift Mission NASA SOHO (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Cluster II (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA TIMED Mission NASA STEREO‑A/B Mission NASA MMS Mission NASA IRIS Mission NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission NASA X‑37B OTV‑1 (USAF/NASA liaison) Mission NASA X‑59 QueSST Mission NASA Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Mission NASA Valkyrie R5 Robot Mission NASA Low‑Boom Flight Demo Mission NASA CRS‑1 Dragon Mission NASA CRS‑1 Cygnus Mission NASA Crew Dragon Demo‑2 Mission NASA Starliner OFT‑2 Mission NASA STS-2 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-4 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-5 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-6 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41D (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-51A (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-61C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-26 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-27 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-29 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-30 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-32 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-34 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-38 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-45 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-60 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-70 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-71 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-73 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-88 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-92 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-97 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-99 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-100 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-104 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-106 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-110 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-112 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-115 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-116 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-117 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-118 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-120 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-122 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-123 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-126 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-130 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Vanguard 1 Mission NASA Transit 1B Mission NASA Echo 1 Mission NASA Telstar 1 Mission NASA Syncom 3 Mission NASA ATS‑6 Mission NASA Skynet Mission NASA Nimbus‑1 Mission NASA Nimbus‑7 Mission NASA ERS-1 Mission NASA SeaSat Mission NASA QuikSCAT Mission NASA Jason‑1 Mission NASA Jason‑3 Mission NASA ICESat Mission NASA Earth Observing‑1 Mission NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory‑2 Mission NASA CYGNSS Mission NASA PACE Mission NASA TRMM Mission NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder (cxl) Mission NASA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission NASA Explorer 33 Mission NASA Voyager Interstellar Mission Mission NASA Helios‑A Mission NASA Helios‑B Mission NASA ISEE‑3 (ICE) Mission NASA ACE Mission NASA DSCOVR Mission NASA IBEX Mission NASA Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager Mission NASA SAGE‑III ISS Mission NASA SPACE Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Mission NASA ARIEL (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA OSAM‑1 (Restore‑L) Mission NASA Dragonfly (Titan rotorcraft) Mission NASA VERITAS (Venus orbiter) Mission NASA DAVINCI (Venus probe) Mission NASA SPHEREx Mission NASA MAGGIE (Mars Geophysical) Mission NASA CLPS – Peregrine Mission NASA CLPS – VIPER Delivery Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA Gateway (HALO / PPE) Mission NASA Mars Telecommunication Orbiter (cxl) Mission NASA Mars Polar Lander (MPL) Mission NASA Mars Climate Orbiter Mission NASA Pathfinder Mission Mission NASA SLS Block 1B (Exploration Upper Stage) Mission NASA Orion Crew Module Mission NASA Commercial LEO Destinations – Axiom Station Mission NASA ISS Expedition 1 Mission NASA ISS Expedition 70 Mission NASA CRS‑11 (Dragon) Mission NASA CRS‑21 (Dragon 2) Mission NASA Snoopy CubeSat Mission
Home / IAS Preparation / Megalithic Cultures

Learn About The Ancient India's Mysterious Megalithic Cultures And Their Lifestyle!

Last Updated on Apr 29, 2025
Also Read Megalithic Cultures in Hindi
Download As PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS
Ancient History UPSC Notes
Satavahana Dynasty UPSC Varahamihira UPSC Difference between History and Prehistory Kautilya Arthashastra UPSC Later Vedic Culture Difference between Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism UPSC Saka Era UPSC Gupta Empire UPSC Pala Dynasty UPSC Bhakti Movement UPSC Kushan Dynasty UPSC Pallava Dynasty UPSC Rashtrakuta Dynasty UPSC Tirthankara UPSC​ Art Of Indus Valley Civilization UPSC Bronze Sculpture UPSC Difference Between Janapadas and Mahajanapadas Gupta Literature Difference Between Buddhism and Jainism Vedic Age UPSC Arab and Turkish Invasion in India Mahajanapadas Social and Material Life Chera Kingdom Kanva Dynasty UPSC Pandya Dynasty UPSC Town Planning of Harappan Civilization Iranian and Macedonian Invasions UPSC Vedic Literature UPSC​ Life Under Vakatakas Indo Greek UPSC Ancient Indian Society Saptanga Theory Of Kautilya Neolithic Age UPSC Chalcolithic Age UPSC Rise of Magadh Kharavela UPSC Megalithic Culture UPSC
Medieval History UPSC Notes Modern History UPSC Notes World History UPSC Notes Art and Culture UPSC Notes Indian polity and Governance UPSC Notes Science and Technology UPSC Notes Indian Geography UPSC Notes Indian Economy UPSC Notes Government Schemes UPSC Notes Reports and Indices UPSC Notes International Relations UPSC Notes Internal Security UPSC Notes
Agriculture Notes For UPSC Public Administration UPSC Notes Modern History Books For UPSC Overseas Citizen Of India Caste System & Panchayati Raj Godavari River Federalism Indira Point New Development Bank Battle Of Sinhagad Sankalp And Strive Schemes Digital India High Yielding Varieties Economic Growth Development League Of Nations Ease Of Doing Business Mid Day Meal Scheme Wildlife Protection Act 1972 UPSC Notes International Union Conservation Nature

The megalithic cultures that existed in India between 2000 BC to 1500 BC have left behind intriguing remains that provide clues about the early beginnings of civilization in the subcontinent. The megalithic cultures built massive stone structures like menhirs, dolmens and cairns which still stand today. 

In this article, we shall explore the Megalithic Cultures in India. It represents a significant portion of the UPSC IAS examination. Both the UPSC Preliminary and Main Paper I cover numerous queries regarding this topic. It is likewise pertinent to UPSC History Optional.

What Are Megaliths?

Megaliths are big stone structures built by ancient people. The word megalith comes from the Greek 'megas' meaning big, and 'lithos' meaning stone.

Megaliths found in India date from 2000 BC to 1000 BC during the early Iron Age. They were built by the megalithic cultures that flourished then.

FREEMentorship Program by
Ravi Kapoor, Ex-IRS
UPSC Exam-Hacker, Author, Super Mentor, MA
100+ Success Stories
Key Highlights
Achieve your Goal with our mentorship program, offering regular guidance and effective exam strategies.
Cultivate a focused mindset for exam success through our mentorship program.
2 Lakh+ Students Mentored Get
Get Free Mentorship Now
UPSC Beginners Program

Get UPSC Beginners Program SuperCoaching @ just

₹50000

Claim for free
Want to know more about this pass ?
Explore SuperCoaching

Types Of Megalithic Monuments

Menhirs are the simplest type of megaliths found. They are big upright stones placed vertically in the ground by ancient people. Menhirs were used for religious or cultural purposes.

  • Dolmens are another main type of megalith. They have two or more upright standing stones supporting a flat capstone. Dolmens were used as burial chambers by ancient Indians.
  • Cromlechs are circular structures of large stones erected in a circle form by ancient people. They were used for rituals, religious rites and social gatherings.
  • Burial pits are small pits covered with capstones. They were used to bury ancient people along with goods for the afterlife. Many ancient Indians were buried in megalithic burial pits.
  • Stone circles are circular arrangements of large stones created by ancient Indians. They were used for performing various rituals related to Sun worship, nature worship and astrology.
  • The megalith builders used simple tools made of stones and bones. They quarried and shaped stones and erected huge structures as megaliths. This shows their skill, cooperation and organization.

Features Of Megalithic Cultures In India

The megalithic cultures thrived in India. They lived in the Stone Age period.

  • Megalithic cultures built megaliths or big stone structures. They built menhirs which are big uprights stones. They built dolmens. They are two or more upright stones with a large flat stone on top.
  • The megalithic people lived in small communities. They had primitive tools of stone and bone. They hunted animals and gathered forest produce for food.
  • These megalithic cultures built stone circles. They placed big stones in a circle shape. They used these circles for rituals and religious ceremonies. They performed burial rites and other traditions within the stone circles.
  • The megalithic people built stone cists. Cists are stone structures built to cover burial chambers. The megalithic cultures made these cists bury their dead. They put pots, weapons and jewellery in the cists with the dead.
  • The megalithic cultures believed in an afterlife. They thought the dead needed things in the next life, also. So they put goods inside the burial cists and chambers.
  • These megalithic cultures had belief in Mother Goddess. The dressing stones were related to the worship of the Mother Goddess. They worshipped a mother goddess to pray for good crops and children.
  • The megalithic Cultures traded with each other. They exchanged goods like pearl shells, beads and pots. They traded using cowries shells as currency during that time.
  • The megalithic people lived in villages. Some villages had more than 100 cists and burial sites. A large number of burial sites shows large populations in villages then.
  • The megalithic cultures were part of the early iron age in India. They knew how to smelt iron from ore and make iron tools and weapons. But they continued using stone tools also.

Pottery And Crafts In Megalithic Culture In India

Their pottery and skills show the development of art and craft among the early ancient Indians.

  • The megalithic people made wheel made as well as hand-made pots and vessels. They created black and red ware pottery using fine clay. The pots were decorated with geometric designs, patterns and motifs.
  • Black and red ware pottery has been found in large numbers from megalithic sites. This includes storage jars, dining bowls, dishes and utility pots. The pottery provide evidence of settled village life and the domestication of crops.
  • Ornaments and decorative items created by the megalithic cultures indicate their aesthetic sense and skills. They made beads of semi-precious stones like agate, carnelian and jasper. Beads were widely used as jewellery and in trade.
  • Stone bracelets, pendants and necklaces were commonly made by the megalithic people. They shaped stones into decorative forms using specialized techniques. Stone jewellery has been found in megalithic burial sites indicating customs related to the afterlife.
  • Bone artefacts like points, hairpins and spatulas have been found in large numbers from megalithic sites. The megalithic people created utilitarian items as well as ornaments using the bones of animals they hunted.
  • Blade tools made of fine flakes were part of the megalithic cultural assemblage. Stone tools, including spearheads, arrowheads, knives and scrapers, indicate their toolmaking knowledge. Blake tools require great technological skills in knapping and shaping stones.
  • Terracotta figurines created by the megalithic people signify their religious beliefs and conceptions. These include Mother Goddess figurines indicating their worship of a female deity for fertility. Other abstract terracotta forms have also been found.
  • Megalithic rock art also provides insights into their crafts and art. Primitive rock drawings and paintings discovered portray their skills as well as concepts of mother goddesses, rituals and religious ceremonies.

Megalithic Sites In India

Studying the different megalithic sites helps us understand the roots of civilization in India.

  • Menhirs: Menhirs or upright standing stones are found at many megalithic sites in India. The Jodhpur menhirs in Rajasthan consist of over 250 beautifully carved dolerite stone megaliths. The Dimapur menhirs in Nagaland also have over 200 large Menhirs. The megalithic cultures set up menhirs for religious and ceremonial purposes.
  • Dolmens: Dolmens or megalithic burial chambers are found all over India. The Adichanallur megalithic site in Tamil Nadu has more than 200 dolmens erected between the 3rd and 2nd century BC. The Kudatini dolmens in Odisha and Haripura dolmens in Gujarat also have a large number of burial chambers. The dolmens were used by the megalithic cultures for burying their dead along with burial goods.
  • Cairn circles: Cairn circles comprising circular arrangements of stones were constructed as ceremonial and ritual locations. The Kudatari cairn circle site in Odisha has nearly 400 Cairns arranged in a circular pattern. These circles were used by the megalithic cultures for performing religious ceremonies connected to Sun worship, nature worship and astrology.
  • Burial cists: Stone box-like burial cists or covered tombs have yielded unique artefacts of the megalithic period. The burial cists at sites like Serpent's Park in Haryana and Harappa in Punjab contain black and red ware pottery, bone tools, ornaments and other burial goods. The megalithic people furnished the costs to meet the needs of the dead in the afterlife.
  • Stone circles: Several megalithic stone circles were erected by the megalithic cultures for rituals and as astronomical observatories. The Sanaur stone circle site in Haryana has over 200 undeciphered stone circles. The Junagadh stone circles in Gujarat also have a large number of circled megaliths built in the 3rd century BC.
  • Rock art: The Bhimbetka rock shelters in Madhya Pradesh have rock paintings and engravings that can be assigned to the megalithic period. The rock art throws light on the belief systems, rituals and religious ceremonies of the megalithic people. It highlights their conceptions of a mother goddess and nature worship.
  • Carnatic megaliths: Coastal megalithic sites along the western coast of India contain unique burial practices and artefacts. Sites like Adam's Bridge and Kodumanal in Tamil Nadu and Hire Benakal and Chandravalli in Karnataka highlight trade links with other regions. These megaliths indicate the maritime activities of the period.
  • Odisha megaliths: The megalithic sites in Odisha contain a high number of menhirs, cairns and dolmens, indicating a flourishing megalithic culture here. The Kudatini menhirs and associated dolmens provide evidence of funeral rites performed by the megalithic cultures of Odisha.

Conclusion

The various megalithic sites scattered across India provide crucial insights into the different megalithic cultures that co-existed at that time. These sites contain stone structures like menhirs, dolmens and cairns alongside artefacts like black and red ware pottery, bone tools and ornaments. They offer a glimpse of the social, economic and belief systems of early Indians and signify the beginning of the evolution of Indian civilization. Further study of these archaeological remnants can reveal many more secrets of the lives and culture of the megalithic cultures that thrived in India.

Testbook is your gateway to an expansive repository of knowledge for UPSC. Don't miss out! Download the Testbook App now and unlock a world of limitless learning opportunities.

More Articles for IAS Preparation

Megalithic Cultures FAQs

The megalithic cultures thrived in India from around 2000 BC to 1500 BC, during the late Neolithic to early Iron Age.

Various types of megaliths found in India include menhirs, dolmens, cairn circles, burial cists and stone alignments built by the megalithic people

The megaliths provide insights into the religious beliefs, burial practices, social organization, crafts and technology of the megalithic cultures.

Artifacts found at megalithic sites include black and red ware pottery, bone tools, stone beads, blade tools, figurines and rock art paintings revealing aspects of the megalithic people's lifestyle.

Megaliths are large stone structures built by the megalithic cultures. They include menhirs, dolmens, cairn circles, stone cists and alignments.
Report An Error
Exams Tests Super Practice