2. Tryst With Indian History-Where to start?

[Pashu-Pathi depiction by Harappan Culture] [Modern depiction]

Here in this article I am not going to search for the answers to the questions that were mentioned during the previous post. But instead I want every one of you to come along with me in the timeline that looks so touching for me. Note that perspectives may vary, this is one of them. So, just try to flow in the texts written.

Evolution of Human beings started somewhere in the Central to East Africa around 0.2 million years ago [1]. The homo erectus group branched off into Homo Ergaster and Homo –erectus direct descendants during the era 1.8-0.2 million years. This Homo-ergaster is supposed to have descended into Homo- sapiens and Neanderthal man [whom we think became extinct still a mystery]. We can find references to Mount Meru in Vishnu Purana, often confused and spelt as Sumeru as to the place where the life was diversifying.

[Mt. Meru]

Eventhough there are speculations whether Human beings originated in Africa or not, let us accept this as a fact and proceed. Homo-erectus fossils were found in Punjab during the early ages of around 1.8 mya and Homo sapiens were suppose to be immigrated into North and South India around 70,000 years ago[Ref: ---]. Humans started forming small groups of societies referred to as bands. They used to hunt animals using tools made from stone and used to gather plants. During the Stone Age people used to have tools such as cudgel, Biface hand axes, etc…

[Crudgel]

Fossils, paintings have been found in caves. Though it is difficult to site evidences during this era what we can say is that by the end of Neolithic period by 7000 BC, humans in were armed with axes, chisels. Domestication of animals such as Bisons, Buffaloes started. They started farming and slowly started moving towards metal tools for their tasks.

Mostly the tribes formed in those days must have had a Head or king. The tribe may have domesticating animals (including wild animals). All these animals and resources of the tribe may be owned and controlled by Tribal Head which is an analogy to the world Pashu-pathi in Sanskrit, where Pashu literally means Animal and Pathi means owner.

By the beginning of 7000 BC (approx) the civilizations started to shape up in the Indian regions (Bharata Varsha).

Continued...