S41-5

Cross-Regional Inquisitions and Associations Amongst the Early Iron Age Megalithic Communities of Central India

Banaras Hindu University, India

The emergence of the Megalithic culture during the Early Iron Age is one of the most significant episodes in the protohistoric period of ancient India. In north India, megaliths have been commonly reported from the Vindhyan scarp landscape of north Madhya Pradesh, the central-southern part of Chhattisgarh and the eastern part of Maharashtra. Each region mentioned has its own geographical backdrop, environmental setting and had a different megalithic community. Archaeological studies have demonstrated that Central India is one of the most significant geographic areas for megalithic monuments, but very few studies have been undertaken so far. The megaliths of each region in Central India appear to bear individual characteristics, distinct typology, customs-rituals, and personal identities. A few peculiarities appear to be common to each group. However, in the absence of a robust comparative study it has been difficult to determine whether each region of Central India possesses its own unique megalithic culture, or there are commonalities. In this presentation, I attempt to address the absence of comparative studies and discuss observed similarities, divergences and the unique qualities of the megalithic remains of Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh.