Other Technologies: A Survey
Traditional Indian technologies. Covers Harappan technologies; Pottery and glass; Water management; Textiles and writing technology; Pyrotechnics, cosmetics and perfumes.
About this unit
This unit surveys technologies developed in India apart from agriculture and architecture: the planning, crafts and engineering of the Harappans; pottery and glass of later periods; traditional water management; textiles and the materials used for writing; and the making of fireworks, cosmetics and perfumes, and the study of gems. These technologies show the skill of Indian artisans and their links with trade and daily life.
Key ideas
- Harappan town planning, standard bricks, drains, weights and bead-making.
- Pottery types such as Painted Grey Ware and Northern Black Polished Ware; glass beads and bangles.
- Water systems: reservoirs, tanks, stepwells, dams and canals.
- Cotton cultivation, dyeing, printing and weaving; palm leaf, birch bark and copper plates for writing.
- Rockets, fireworks, perfumes such as attar, and gem testing.
How to prepare
- Prepare lists of sites and their technological evidence.
- Learn key terms (NBPW, stepwell, ikat, attar, ratnapariksha).
- Expect matching and identification questions.
Topics in this chapter
Harappan technologies
Crafts and engineering of the Harappans.
5 questionsPottery and glass
Later pottery and glass making.
5 questionsWater management
Traditional water systems.
5 questionsTextiles and writing technology
Textile technology and writing materials.
5 questionsPyrotechnics, cosmetics and perfumes
Fireworks, cosmetics, perfumes and gemmology.
5 questions