Remains of the Homo erectus in Hathnora, Narmada Valley, indicate India was inhabited in the Middle Pleistocene era. 

The prehistoric period estimated between 200000 BC and 2500 BC holds no exception to India, when civilizations began to formulate. The first Homo sapiens planted their feet on the Indian subcontinent between 200000 BC and 40000 BC and instantly spread. The anatomically remains of the modern humans and tools crafted by them were discovered in Tamil Nadu. 

Overview of Pre-Historic India

The ancient history of India begins with the discovery of tool crafted by proto-humans, dating back to two million years ago. The earliest archaeological site refers to the Palaeolithic Age followed by Mesolithic and Neolithic periods.

Similar to the remaining world, India also experienced the Stone and Bronze Ages.

Stone Age

Stones used for utilitarian purpose by the prehistoric man lead us into the Stone Age. It is broadly classified into three segments - Palaeolithic Age, Mesolithic Age and Neolithic Age

The Old Stone Age (Palaeolithic Age) stretches up to 8000 BC and Indian subcontinent witnessed the specialized stone tools for the first time. 

The Middle Stone Age (Mesolithic period) that extended between 8000 BC and 4000 BC witnessed extensive settlement more towards the end of Ice Age, 12,000 years ago. The Bhimbetka rock shelters in modern Madhya Pradesh, confirms the semi-permanent settlements that occurred 9,000 years ago.

The New Stone Age (Neolithic period) stretching from 4000 BC-2500 BC confirms the existence of agriculture cultures from the Indus Valley civilization dating back to 5000 BC. Often referred as blades and burins age, Neolithic period domesticated cattle, farm animals and horses. Wheel was invented during this stage and stone blades and other hunting weapons were devised.

Bronze Age

The Neolithic Age quickly carved the path for higher, technically advanced cultures. People used copper and bronze to make a range of utilitarian tools. This phase, referred as Chalcolithic Age (Bronze Age), extended from 1800 BC to 1000 BC.  

Several sites in the Chotta Nagpur Plateau region, the upper Gangetic basin, Karnataka and on the banks of river Narmada portray the imprints of this period.

Bronze Age marks the beginning of Indus Valley civilization that stretched from present-day India to Pakistan and Iran. Historically part of Ancient India, it is amongst the world's earliest urban civilizations, in conjunction with Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt.

Population of the Indus Valley civilization – Harappans urbanized new techniques in metallurgy and handicraft and mastered the technique of producing copper, bronze, lead, and tin.

This civilization flourished from 2600 to 1900 BC and laid the foundation of urban evolution on the Indian subcontinent.

The urban centres like Dholavira, Kalibangan, Rupar, Rakhigarhi and Lothal in present-day India, and Harappa, Ganeriwala, and Mohenjo-daro in modern-day Pakistan were noted for their cities built of brick, drainage system, and multi-storied houses.

The Bronze Age civilization collapsed before the end of the 2^nd millennium, followed by the Iron Age Vedic Civilization, which extended over the Indo-Gangetic plain and witnessed the rise of powerful kingdoms and dynasty.  

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