Pottery is an ancient functional art, the true reflection of the evolution and existence of humankind. Its appearance began in early civilisations when humans were hunters searching for food. As they evolved, so did their stance towards life, when from being hunters they turned to farming and animal husbandry. During the Middle Stone Age, they prepared coarse handmade pottery such as jars, vessels, and bowls, paving the way for the art of pottery to follow.
It may sound fascinating, but the art of Pottery we know today, in reality, dates back to 40000-2500 BCE (Stone Age Art).
Spanning across centuries, this art is indeed, the epitome of creativity, the progression of humankind, and an inimitable part of India’s cultural heritage. Feel moments of pride as you read and unfold the wheel that has been rolling since the stone age and flourishing to date.
Pottery Developed During the Mesolithic and Neolithic Period
In the Mesolithic period, also called the Middle Stone Age, the cord-impressed style of pottery developed among the Vindhya hunter-gatherers who were way more efficient than the Palaeolithic (Old Stone Age) hunters. During the Neolithic period (New Stone Age), the hunters sought permanence in life. They started settling and building villages, domesticated animals, and even developed earthen pots to store their food and grains. They used clay to make pots and developed a unique and helpful craft known as Pottery. Though an ancient tradition, the proof, and presence of Pottery was quite evident in Indus Valley civilisation as well. Researchers found that the Pottery during the said period consisted of both manual and wheel made wares. Practiced today in different parts of the country, this art has only flourished contributing to the country’s beautiful legacy.
Significant Ancient Eras of Pottery Making
01. Vedic Time
Dating back to 1500-500 BCE, the early ceramics specimens were mainly handmade and unpainted. During 2000-1500 BCE, Ochre Colored Pottery culture flourished in eastern Punjab, Western UP, and Rajasthan. It was near Jodhpura, in Rajasthan, the OCPT culture was discovered. You will find it amusing that a recent excavation at Saharanpur district unearthed some copper axes and pottery pieces exhibiting the progress mankind was treading towards. The discovery of the artefacts showed that the OCPT could have been a proper civilisation almost equivalent to Harappan culture.
Black and Red Ware Culture occurred between the Bronze and Iron age Archaeological cultures during 1450 -1200 BCE. Attributes like subsistence agriculture and ornaments made from shells, copper, and terracotta defined the BRW site culture as seen in the northern and central Indian subcontinent. According to some scholars, it was found that the BRW Pottery, associated with Late Harappan Pottery, played a crucial role in influencing the emergence of Painted Grey ware and Northern Black Polished ware culture. The Painted Grey Ware culture lasted from 1200 -600 BCE, corresponding to the middle and late Vedic period. Western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Eastern Punjab were the regions where culture and pottery-making thrived. An urban Iron age culture of the Northern Indian subcontinent, the Northern Black Polished Ware culture, grew. It lasted from 700 to 200 BCE and concurred with the successive rise of the Mauryan Empire.
02. Simultaneous to Vedic Period
Red Polished Ware traces back its history from 300 BCE to 1000 BCE. Apart from Gujarat, it was also widely distributed in Baroda, Surat, Prabhas, and Sutrapada. RPW commonly consisted of domestic vessels like cooking pots; these pots had a high degree of finish. During 2000-1300 BCE, the Malwa culture existed in parts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, with the unique aspect that the whole pottery process was done by hands and no use of potterer’s wheel.
03. Post Vedic Pottery
Rang Mahal culture dates back to 1st – 7th CE, at Paleo Sarasvati in Haryana, Eastern Punjab, and Northwest Rajasthan. It is known for the beautifully painted vases on a red surface. Animal, floral, bird and geometric designs were painted on the vases in black. Swedish Scientists excavated the early Gupta period terracotta at the Rang Mahal Village; giving the culture its name. It was during the period of the 13th to 18th century that the glazed pottery began in its full glory. Turkic rulers’ encouragement led to the settlement of potterers hailing from Persia and Central Asia in Northern India.
It was during the period of the 13th to 18th century that the glazed pottery began in its full glory. Turkic rulers’ encouragement led to the settlement of potterers hailing from Persia and Central Asia in Northern India. It is said that some artefacts belonging to Turkish-Mughal and the Rajput period were excavated in Gujarat and Maharashtra. They have distinct Indian and Persian designs, which explains their existence back then.
With Turkic conquests in the 14th century, the technique of blue glaze on pottery toured to India. Blue Pottery- Jaipur’s popular traditional craft today, is said to have come to the state under the rulership of Sawai Ram Singh in the 19th century.
Conclusion
With the evolution, and training imparted by mavens to amateur craftsmen during the rules of kings, several distinct pottery styles emerged. Some pottery styles have continued to sustain as the local potterers migrated and settled, learned the local traditional designs, made their own while honing their craft. Continue reading as we uncover the different pottery styles, the popular ones found across India in contemporary times that, although passed down by the ancestors, are still continually flourishing.
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