The Northern Black Polished Ware Culture Of Middle Ganga Plain: Recent Perspective

TheNorthern Black Painted Ware Culture Of Middle Ganga Plain: Recent Perspective Amit Ranjan* The Middle Ganga Plain stretches for about 300 km. from the Himalayan foothills in the north and Vindhyan ranges in the south. It attained its present form during the postTertiary period when this deep trough was filled up by fine alluvium brought down from the Himalayas in the north with an average thickness of 1300-1400 meters (Singh, 1971). The general conception of the rise of culture in Middle Ganga Plain is Hunting Gatherer (Mesolithic or Food Collectors) then the Early Food Producing or settling permanently in the region (Neolithic). The Iron Age or Late Farming Communities in India denotes the period between the first general appearance of Iron as smelted metal and beginning of Early Historic Period. The chronology of the iron is different in different geographical zones. In context of Middle Ganga Plain, it has a time bracket between early part of second millennium BCE and late part of first millennium BCE. In middle of this time bracket NBPW emerges which was earlier considered as the diagnostic pottery type when it was dated around 600 BCE. Still many of the scholar believes on the above facts as numbers of the sites having NBPW has the same dates but with new researches done in last decade of the 20 th century new facts has come out. With excavation of Ayodhya in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh first time earliest dates appeared as 1000 BCE as it was a controversial site many questions arises but after the appearance of other dates the NBPW of Ayodhya got well support. Northern Black Polished Ware was discovered at Sarnath in excavation in 1904-05, followed by excavation at Bhita and was described -1) and assigned a date of 8th century BCE on the basis of the excavated remains. It was criticized by Codrington on the ground that unscientific method of digging was employed at the site and such an early date is not possible for NBPW (1929, 101) while in the lower levels of Bhir mound Taxila, Marshall reported it as Greek Black Ware and dated to 4th century BCE which was supposed to be imported or local, but it was Krishna Deva and Mortimer Wheeler who coined t Northern Black Painted Wares can be called as best creation of Pottery of ancient India. This pottery is made onfast turned wheel. This is very thin, made of well fine lavigated clay, well fired and possessing metallic sound and is very lustrous. The color of this pottery is generally black (jet- black, bluish black and black) some other shades in deep blue, golden, silvery, brown,chocolate, violet, deep red and sun bright colored potteries are also found. NBP sherds are not painted generally but some painted sherds are also found. Paintings on them are done by some colored dark pigment. Painted motifs are generally geometric in pattern but some birds and floral designs are also reported. Some exclusive potsherds are having stamped decoration. The important shapes are Bowls, Dishes, Vases and Jars. This pottery can be divided into Monochrome and Bi-chrome. There are numbers of works available for study but still the technical part of this ware is unsolved and this fact made this pottery unique. Actually this pottery gains so much notable fact about the NBPW is its availability or quantity on a site. It only contributes * Banaras Hindu University, [email protected] 64 TheNorthern Black Painted Ware Culture Of Middle Ganga Plain: Recent... maximally 7% of total pottery assemblage. Perhaps this made the archaeologists to say it as Deluxe Ware of its time. As it is named, suggests its initial findings in northern region and in black in color. Sarnath, Bhita, Taxila and Ahichhatra were some of the sites where it was identified initially with different names and with a long debate and discussion NBPW name was given to this lustrous pottery which was having a metallic sound. Today the territory of NBPW is not only in north of India but its finding spread in all India even in whole Indian Subcontinent. The northernmost limit is Semthan in Kashmir Valley, Udegram in Swat Valley is westernmost or Taxila and Charsadda in west, Anuradhapura in Srilanka is southernmost limit and easternmost limit is at Wari-I Bateshwar at Bangladesh. Stratigraphically the NBPW culture succeeds the PGW Culture in Upper Ganga Plain and Chalcolithic in Middle and Lower Ganga Plain. After the reporting of more than 1800 sites in pan India, studies showed two sub periods as Early NBPW and Late NBPW(Roy, 1983, 96) and it is divided into three phases as circa 700-350 BCE date for Phase A, circa 350-230 BCE for Phase B, and circa 230-175 BCE (Sinha, B.P. 1979, 93). Recent studies and excavation done at many sites are now providing new information about the dates. Recent excavation in 2006-2007 at Juafardih (Nalanda) provides new dates and here the NBPW phase are also subdivided into Early Phase having dates of 1200-900BCE, Middle Phase having dates900-600BCE and Late Phase have dates of 600-400BCE(Saran, 200865-71).What is important in above generalized discussion of time bracket and the divisions is the consideration of NBPW culture. Very less study has been done on changing variation of NBPW with its time frame. Analysis of NBPW for its colorations: Sana Ullah (1946): Black colour of NBP is due to ferrous silicate. Hegde (1962 and 1978): Black color is due to magnetite;he noticed a link between PGW BSW NBPW and proposed that a graded development took place. B.B.Lal (1960)and Hari Chandra Bharadwaj (1979): Both Scholars with their Researches and experiments concluded as black color is due to elemental carbon. V.D.Gogte (1982): He opined the presence of Black color as a compound effect of all above. He noticed ferric/ferrous ratio and elemental carbon and suggested that NBPW is nothing but PGW with a black polish and BSW is not an intermediate phase. Makkhan Lal has divided the NBPW in 11 categories on basis of typology. Rivetiation: Riveted sherds are unique about the NBPW reported at Bairat, Kumhrar, Ujjain, Broach, Khairadih, Ropar, Sonepur and Juafardih. Possibly this rivetiation indicates the ritualistic importance, high cost, a prize commodity, a memorial item etc. Rivetiation has been done by copper pin or copper wires. Whether the reuse of repaired pottery was a tradition or it indicates normal phenomena cannot be known unless and until it is found in a large number or found in an excavated context as workshop. Inscribed shreds are very few in number and only reported from Anuradhapura, (Srilanka) and Vadnagar, Gujrat. Some graffiti marks are also reported from Ramnagar, Chandauli and Juafardih, Nalanda. In previous excavation of the sites whether graffiti was found or not and whether given proper consideration is not known. No site reports mention this fact. We need to trace the graffiti marks and potters marks to know even cultural continuity and decipherment of scripts. Associated Wares: 1. Black and Red Ware: Bowls, Dishes, Basins and Vases 2. Black Slipped Ware: Manaviki Vol. V (2) - VI (1) (2014) [2014]. ISSN : 0975-7880 65 Dishes, Bowls, Cups with Stand, knobs, miniature pots, goblets. This is of coarse fabric containing black color slip on both surfaces. 3. Black Ware: This pottery is a variation of BSW. 4. Burnished Black Ware: Burnishing has been done on upper surface. Bowls and dishes are important shapes. 5. Grey Ware: This is survival of the Neolithic pottery or a legacy kind of thing, found at very sites and in fewer in number. Dishes and Bowls are important shapes where some handis and its varieties added later times. 6. Painted Grey Ware: This is an early pottery. Sravasti is having overlapping of the Potteries. PGW was also deluxe ware of its time before the advent of NBPW. 7. Red Ware: This pottery is continuing from Neolithic Period. The large size pottery, Storage jars, Vases cooking vessels are found with almost all the sites associated with NBPW. Theories of Origin: There are so many discussion held on NBPW. A symposium was organized in 1960 for Central Advisory Board for Archaeology.In 1971 at Indian Archaeological Society a conference was held on PGW and NBPW. With all the discussions four schools for the origin of NBPW have been proposed: 1. NBPW is inspired by Black and Red ware. As all the sites of Middle Ganga Plain is having BRW in much more quantity and it given thought to make more fine pottery. 2. NBPW is evolved or inspired from PGW. Upper Ganga Plain has less number of NBPW and more PGW. PGW is Occurring in lower sratigraphical layer then NBPW. At the sites like Purana Qila and Hastinapur PGW are lower and NBPW is at higher level. 3. NBPW is inspired by Black Slipped Ware. At sites like Narhan etc BSW is at lower stratigraphic layer and shapes like dishes and bowls are found and followed by NBPW with same variety of shapes. This gives an indication of influence of BSW on NBPW. 4. Independent origin. Important NBPW sites in Middle Ganga Plain There is number of sites reported from MGP and number of excavations also carried. The excavations at Rajghat, Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali, Prayag etc are the important sites which establish NBPW in the region. Present discussed sites are those sites which elaborate the theories proposed previously. Only recent data obtained from excavation carried out since 2000 in MGP has been discussed and analyzed. ABHAIPUR It is in Pilibhit district excavated in 2001-2006.The fourfold culture sequence has been found here: Period I : Ochre Coloured Ware Period Period II : Black and Red Ware Period Period III : Painted Grey Ware Period Period IV : NBPW Period Period IV is very much disturbed here due to agriculture and other activities. Red and Black varieties of NBPW have been found in association with Red Ware and Red Slipped Ware. Bowls, Dishes, Jars, Basins, and Lids etc are main vessels here. Houses 66 TheNorthern Black Painted Ware Culture Of Middle Ganga Plain: Recent... are made in Wattle-Daub manner with rammed flooring. A well found with wedged shaped semi- baked brick measuring 32.5×22×15.5 cm. Beads are important findings. AGIABIR This site is at left bank of Ganga in Sant Kabirnagar and Mirzapur district boundary near to Katka Railway Station. It is excavated by Prof. Purushottam Singh in 1999-2001 and in 2005-2007 by Prof. Vibha Tripathi of Department of Ancient Indian History Culture and Archaeology of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. The excavation revealed fivefold cultural period as follows: Period I : Narhan Culture (1300-900 BCE) Period II : Pre NBPW Culture with iron (900-600 BCE) Period III : NBPW Culture (600-200 BCE) Period IV : Sunga Kushana Period (200 BCE-300 CE) Period V : Gupta and Post-Gupta Period (300-700CE) Period II houses are built in wattle and daub, floor is rammed with potsherds. Houses have ovens. Water drains has wedge shaped backed bricks. BSW, Grey Ware and Red Ware are associated with Period II. Straight sided and flanged Bowls and incurved rim dishes are main pottery types.Copper objects like handas, handis, antimony rods, mirror, bangles,earrings,wires, rings, pendantsand a coin etc. are reported. Two swords and a lamp stand, miniature pots, knife, chisel, arrowheads, spearheads are important Iron objects. For metallic objects categories in NBPW Period Agiabir is having best collection. Beads of different materials like agate, carnelian, shells and ivory with finished and unfinished types are reported show the local industry. Carbon dates of Agiabir: Sample No. Period BS-2847 Period I Early Phase of Chalcolithic Radiocarbon age Cal. Age in in BCE/BP BCE/BP 4090±110 BP 4618±156 BP S-3677 BS-2640 Period II Pre NBPW 2810±100 BP S-3458 SPRL-3127 BS-2846 S-3459 4462-4774 BP 2668±156 BCE 2920,2908,288 5 BP One Sigma 1125 (971,959,936), 832 BCEcal. 971,959,936 BCE Transitional Phase of Pre NBP and NBP Period III Middle Phase of NBPW 2840±80 BP 2710±100 BP 969(830) 797 BCE 969(830) 797 BCE 2919(2779),27 47 BP 2919(2779),27 47 BP Manaviki Vol. V (2) - VI (1) (2014) [2014]. ISSN : 0975-7880 67 AKTHA Jayaswal of Banaras Hindu University.AKTHA (Paharia) on the tributary of the river Varuna, was discovered in the year 1994, and was excavated in2001-2002, 2002-2003 and 20082009. This is so far the earliest known habitation of Varanasi region. Cultural Sequence given by Prof. Jayaswal as mixture of Literary based and Ruler Base as: Period I : Later Vedic Period Period II : Janpada Period Period III : Maurya and Sunga Period IV : Kushana Period Period V : Later Kushana Period Ceramics: Period I: Black and- Red Ware (3.38%), Black Slipped Ware (18.69%), Grey Ware pedestal beakers. This period is comparable with Narhan Period I and Atranjikhera Period II (Jayaswal.V, 2009). ANAI It is in Varanasi Dist. on Jaunpur Varanasi Road 35 km NW from Varanasi. This was a rescue operation done by Prof. Vibha Tripathi and a team of Archaeologists from Banaras Hindu University. Three fold cultural sequences have been found: Period I : Pre- NBPW Culture (900-600 BCE) Period II : NBPW Culture (600-200 BCE) Period III : Early Medieval Period (700-1000 CE) Varieties of NBPW found. A brick kiln was also found the size of the Bricks were 24×16×6 cms. Houses were built in Mud Bricks and ring wells are also found. AYODHYA Very famous and controversial site is in Faizabad dist. Here many session excavations done by different institutions. Recently ASI has excavated Ram Janm Bhumi area under guidance of Dr. B.R.Mani and Hari Manjhi in 2002-2003.Excavation at the disputed site has yielded a continuous cultural sequence contained in the total deposition of about 10.80 m divided into 9 cultural periods on the strength of combined and corroborative evidences of pottery sequence, structural remains and other datable finds. NBPW, Sunga, Kushana, Gupta, Post Gupta (Rajput), Early Medieval Pre-Sultanate, MedievalSultanate, Early Mughal, Late Mughal are nine cultural sequences found here. GW, BSW and RW are associated with NBPW. Beads, ear studs, discs, iron objects (knife), glass beads, bone points and a significant finding is a Round Signet with Asokan Brahmi legend. Carbon Dates of Ayodhya Sample No., BS No., Age of the Sample based Calibrated dates ranges in Depth(m) on the Half Life 5570±30 Years Years No.7,AYD-1 2152,G-7 2830±100 BP 1190-840 BCE (16), 9.15 880 BCE No.6,AYD-1 2153,G-7 2860±100 BP 1210-900 BCE (19), 11.0 910 BCE No.7,AYD-1 2154,G-7 3200±130 BP 1680-1320 BCE (20), 11.53 1250 BCE 68 TheNorthern Black Painted Ware Culture Of Middle Ganga Plain: Recent... HARIHARPUR site was excavated by Prof. Vibha Tripathi of Department of Ancient Indian History Culture and Archaeology of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi in 2006-2007.three cultural sequence revealed in the excavation: Period I : Pre- NBPW Culture (1000-700 BCE) Period II : NBPW Culture (700-600 BCE) Period III : Sunga- Kushana Period Associated wares in NBPW period are BSW and RW, a special observation made by excavator as the NBPW, BSW and RW Bowls which is flanged with corrugated sides, sharpened and nail headed, out turned and having featureless rim. Other vessels are dishes, vases, basins and storage jars etc. Iron objects, copper objects, pottery discs, glass bangles, beads of glass and semiprecious stone, terracotta objects, figurines, beads, toys, wheels, discs, skin rubber and dabber are important findings. JHUSI N2 Allahabad University. Period I : Pre NBPW Culture Period II : NBPW Culture Period III : Saka Kushana Period Period IV : Gupta Period Period V : Post-Gupta Period Wattle daub structure and burnt brick with ring wells revealed in excavation. Associated wares in NBPW period are BSW and RW with some Black and Red Ware. Bowls, Dishes, Jars, Basins, Lipped Basins, Lids, storage jars, carinated handis etc. are main vessels here. Punch marked and Uninscribed Cast Copper Coins, terracotta animal figurines, beads, inscribed seals and sealings, iron objects, tanged points and semi-precious stone beads are some important findings. Radiocarbon Dates of Jhusi Cultural Period Depth in cms Radiocarbon Years (5568±30)BCE Dates in BCE/CE Cal. Dates in BCE/CE 214090 Radiocarbon Years (5730±40) BCE 220090 Late NBPW 555 25090 1025 243090 250090 55090 Early NBPW 1165 252090 259090 64090 Pre NBPW with Iron 1210 265090 273090 78090 375 (195,173) 46 BCE 763 (498,413) 393 BCE 799(763, 676,674) 413 BCE 897 (806) 789 BCE Middle NBPW 69 Manaviki Vol. V (2) - VI (1) (2014) [2014]. ISSN : 0975-7880 JUAFFARDIH This site is in Nalanda District, 3 km south west of Ancient Nalanda Ruins and 15 km south west from Bihar Sharif. River Paimar is flowing 3 km from this site. The site was excavated by a team of archaeologists of the Archaeological Survey of India, Excavation Branch III in (2006-07). This site is identified with Kolika or Kulika, the village from where Maudglyayana had originally hailed(Saran S.C., 2008, pp. 59-73). It is established to a fair degree of acceptance not only because the mud stupa was raised sometime in the fifth century B.C but also that the description of the two Chinese travelers tallies with the location of the place. Period I : Pre- NBPW Culture (Chalcolithic) 1600-1200 BCE Period II : NBPW Culture Period III : Sunga-Kushana- Gupta and Post Gupta Period Excavations at the site have revealed the earliest level going to the chalcolithic period (Period I). The next period (Period II) saw the beginning of the Early Iron Age divisible into four cultural stages on the basis of ceramic assemblage. NBP Ware was found in various colors such as silver, golden and grey including bichrome and polychrome. BRW, BSW, Grey Ware, are associated with NBPW. Dishes and Bowls are common and basins with lipped varieties, miniature pots, miniature bowls, and frying pan with handle, karahi and lid cum bowls are some other potteries. Two sherds are here found called as PGW which makes this site easternmost PGW site. Whether these potsherds are a indicator of contacts between Upper Ganga with Magadha in 1000 BCE or this is a foreign material just appeared demands more research and excavation. Wattle and daub structure found with rammed floor mixed with small potsherds, brick bats, clay lumps and is with numbers of Post holes for timber use is evident. Hearths are also found. This period saw the building of the mud stupa with different additions and alterations subsequently. It has three building phases. It includes encasing the stupa and an additional pradakshina patha. The final shape of the stupa measured 105x100m and height 8.80m. The charcoal samples were dated by BSIP as 600-400 BCE. A rich variety of antiquities were collected in the excavation. The largest of them are in terracotta and the main types consist of human and animal figurines, beads (TC, agate, carnelian) of different size and shape, wheels, games men, discs and other small utile objects like copper antimony rod, iron objects like chisels, nails, daggers, knife, axes, spear heads, sickles, rods, hoes, swords, bone base tanged points, arrow heads etc(Nayan, 2011). Radiocarbon dates of Juafardih Sample No. depth in cms BS No. Layer No. Cal. Age in BCE 2705 2706 Age based on Half-life 4470±30 years in BP 3100±110 3010±90 3572,JFD-5,436 3528,JFD-3,225228 3529,JFD-2,205 3525,JFD-6,227326 3526,JFD-8,215 13 8 7 6 2707 2703 3280±90 2850±80 1562 BCE 1002 BCE 8 2704 2740±100 857 BCE 1354 BCE 1259 BCE 70 TheNorthern Black Painted Ware Culture Of Middle Ganga Plain: Recent... LAHURADEVA (Dist. Sant Kabir Nagar) Dr. Rakesh Tewari, Director of the U.P. State Archaeology Department in 2000-2001 and 2005-2006 onwards excavated this site. The excavations have revealed about 4.00 m thick habitation deposit representing the five-fold cultural periods: Period I: Early Farming Culture Period II: Developed Farming Culture Period III: Advanced Farming culture Period IV: NBPW phase Period V: Early centuries BC / AD Rammed floor levels are found prepared by mixing mud with potsherds, burnt clay and straw and reeds impression are some structural evidence for NBPW Period. Good number and fine variety of NBPW has been found some of them are painted. Associated wares are BRW and RW. Beads(steatite, terracotta, semi-precious stone),bone points, bone arrow heads, awls and iron objects. Iron slag has also found shows smelting activity. MALHAR It is in Chakia, Chandauli at left bank of Karamnasa River excavated by Dr. Rakesh Tewari in 1999. Fourfold cultural assemblage revealed here: Period I: Pre Iron Phase (c.2200-1800 BCE) Period II: Early Iron Phase (c.1800-800 BCE) Period III: NBPW phase (c.700-300 BCE) Period IV: Early Historic Phase (c.200BCE-300 CE) A mud floor mixed with the potsherds with 14 Post holes with diameter ranging 5-13 cms found in NBPW period.Two damaged earthen furnace exposed made of compact grayish clay, inner side of the furnace is treated with thick coat of same grayish clay. Inner diameter and outer diameter of the furnaces are 1m and 1.30m of the one and of the other is 0.8m and 1.38m. They have iron slag and joined tuyeres. BRW,BSW, Grey Ware, RW and Black Ware are associated with NBPW. Important observation by the excavator is the lustrous polish of some BRW and Grey Ware which is similar of NBPW. Evolution and different varieties of NBPW can be traced here. Dishes are main pottery shapes here. Beads of different varieties(TC, quartz, chalcedony, carnelian, and chert) have been found. Bone tools are important findings in which arrowheads (tanged, barbed and socketed), double end points on antler, splinters etc. Copper objects like copper bangles and rods etc are found. Chisels, nails, dowels, knife, spearhead, cutter and rings are in iron, slags are also present. PAKKAKOT This site is in Ballia District, U.P. excavated by Prof. Sita Ram Dubey of Department of A.I.H.C. and Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. Only 2010-2011 report has been published. This site was located in Kapilvastu to Pataliputra route very close to Ganga.Excavation revealed Neolithic to Kushana period with continuity in Cultural chronology. The Ceramic repertoire of this site is similar to Bhunadih, Imlidih Khurd, Waina, Narhan and Lahuradeva. Antiquities are discs, Beads, TC Balls and Toys, TC Figurines etc. A unique finding is Metal Figurine of a Mother Goddess in NBPW IIIC phase in Silver which is rare finding not found anywhere in Ganga Plain. RAJGHAT The site is well studied and reported by various scholars. The site works as an index sequence for the Middle Ganga Plain. Recently the excavation is proposed to confirm the Manaviki Vol. V (2) - VI (1) (2014) [2014]. ISSN : 0975-7880 71 dates; probably the antiquity of the region will be re-deciphered. The nearby sitesAktha is already mentioned above and Ramnagar can be discussed. RAMNAGAR This is opposite side of Ghats of Varanasi a modern fort site, Oriya Ghat was excavated by Prof. Vidula Jayaswal of Banaras Hindu University in 2005.Fivefold cultural sequence revealed here: Period I : Pre NBPW Culture Period II : NBPW Culture Period III : Post NBPW Period IV : Kushana Period Period V : Gupta Period Period II is very much similar to Rajghat Period Ib and Ic dated 600-200 BCE. This period is divisible in to two phases: Late Phase: restricted number of NBP of degenerated varieties, dominance of grey ware, comparable with Ic of Rajghat dated 400-200 BCE. Beads, TC wheels, bone points, iron objects are found. Early Phase: NBPW prominent, grey ware dominance decreases but painted and unpainted varieties continued. Two types of NBPW found as Monochrome and Bichrome. Some potsherds are inscribed with Brahmi letter and some are having graffiti.Beads, TC Balls, pottery discs are common finds here. Rammed floor with potsherds are also evident. SISWANIA This site is in Basti District, Uttar Pradesh excavated by Dr. B.R.Mani in 1995-1997 sessions. This site is identified by him as Setvaya of Suttanipata, a Pali Text of Buddhism. Here fourfold cultural sequence revealed: Period I : Pre- NBPW Culture (1000-900 BCE) Period II : NBPW Culture (900-300 BCE) Period III : Sunga Period (200-100 BCE) Period IV : Kushana Period (100CE- 300 CE) Wattle and daub structure found with rammed floor mixed with small potsherds, brick bats, clay lumps and is with numbers of Post holes for timber use is evident. Hearths are also found. BSW, BRW, GW and RW are associated wares with NBPW. Their fabric is from medium to coarse. Important shapes are dishes, bowls, lipped basins, Ahichhatra 10A with carinated handis. Monochrome and polychrome varieties of NBPW are found. Two Seals with the legends in Brahmi are among the important findings of surface Bone points, arrowheads, TC figurines, iron and copper objects, Bull shaped pendent with gold foil, silver and copper Punch marked coins, copper uninscribed cast coins are other significant findings. Discussions The trend of economy of culture of the Middle Ganga Plain sustained itself on huntinggathering, substantiated by agriculture in BRW phase. Though agriculture was fairly well known, as indicated by the cereal remains, it had to be supported by animal husbandry. During the period of NBPW Culture the economy of the people was more developed which was mainly based on agriculture, though animal breeding and hunting along with a progressive trade and commerce was better managed. The chronological spectrum of the beginning of the use of iron in India has to be 72 TheNorthern Black Painted Ware Culture Of Middle Ganga Plain: Recent... considered fairly wide, beginning as early as the first half of the second millennium BCE with number of geographical zones. Word Ayas is found at a number of places in the Rigveda. It is definitely a metal but exactly the nature of this metal is not known. Vajsaneyi Samhita denotes the word Ayas for six metals e.g. gold (Hiranya), Aayas, Syam, Loha, lead (Sisa), and tin (Tripu). Word Syam is used for Iron and Loha for Copper. Ayas has been divided into two groups e.g. the Syam (Iron) and the lohit (copper or bronze) in Atherveda and other texts. So far literary sources are concerned the dating of Iron is not clear, and will be unclear till there is the debate of the dating of Rigveda and its archaeological evidences. Iron technology in India is an indigenous product. There is continuity in chronology of Iron and its wide uses. The use of iron became an indicator of gradual development as a time appeared today when everything around us seems to be a product of Iron only. Iron Technology and its production in ancient India need more detailed study and correlation with the sites. As the evidence from the sites Raja Nal Ka-Tila, Malhar of the MGP suggest the use of Iron in c.1800/1700 BCE. The extensive use of iron smelting is from Malhar and its surrounding area. This site is assumed as the center for smelted bloomer iron to this area due to its location in Karamnasa River and Ganga River. This site shows agricultural technology as iron implements sickles, nails, clamps, spearheads etc. by at least c.1500 BCE. commonly used so it is quite clear that the need of pottery for common use is different and special pottery is different. NBPW has been found in a long run and having predecessor as well at some sites particularly in Upper Ganga Plain area. New dates at Agiabir, Abhaypur and Juafardih indicate some more rethinking. It is quite possible that NBPW was a product of Magadha region of that time and originated from previous BRW as also found in excavation of Rajgir by A.Ghosh when he got same shape and size of the BRW and NBPW and on analysis it has been observed that it is possible that NBPW has been made from BRW or both have a common origin. There is lack of Horizontal Excavation in Region and no study on count and weight of pottery is done. Some sites Rajghat, Agiabir, Pakkakot, Sonepur, and Nalanda etc are only excavated horizontally and more shades are found in Bihar only and with the Sonepur excavation different shades of NBPW has been found which shows the experimentation indicating the popularity of the pottery and demand of different shades. Again it is unclear with the availability of the numbers of pottery count at each site which is directly related with the Area of expansion of Site and the nature of Site. Sachinand Sahay opined that NBPW has more frequency in Bihar than the Eastern Uttar Pradesh(Sahaya, pp. 148-149), but on what basis he consider this point as there is less number of horizontally excavated sites in Uttar Pradesh. Although if we consider that Uttar Pradesh has less NBPW quantity in respect of Bihar then other regions will also have lesser quantity because the trade was done from Uttar Pradesh Sites as much convenient trade network is from Uttar Pradesh only. At 600 BCE and later on Magadha started its imperialism and captured the other Mahajanpadas affecting the trade and commerce which resulted in later period dates of NBP from other sites than middle Ganga Plain as they reached later on. Very few dates around of 1000 BCE of NBPW are probably suggesting this theory. In whole it can be summarized that NBPW has its origin around 1500 BCE as the develop form of NBPW have the dates around 1200-1300 BCE and minimum 200 years can be assigned for obtaining this type of manufacturing technology and dispersal of the pottery. All we need to understand that anything in the evidence of archaeology is not calendrical but it is matter of development of technology as well demand and contacts of 73 Manaviki Vol. V (2) - VI (1) (2014) [2014]. ISSN : 0975-7880 society around the region. With the hope that future excavation will provide some more data to comment upon on which the history of the region can be better understood. 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