Developments in the Gangetic Plain
- Agriculture improved during this phase of development in the middle Gangetic plains.
- Wet rice cultivation began to yield more produce of rice than other crops, thus creating the necessary agrarian surplus.
- Protected irrigation alone was not responsible for the surplus production of rice.
- Iron technology also played a crucial role.
- While it is debated whether iron axe aided clearing of the forests or whether iron ploughshare increased agricultural yield, there can be no two opinions that it played a critical role in improving the production of artefacts.
- The impact of iron technology is better understood if one considers “the technical changes which the introduction of iron implements would have brought about in various craft activities”.
- Leisure time provided by agricultural surplus and technology led to growth of crafts, which in turn aided vibrant trade.
Second Urbanisation
- Agricultural surplus, the growth of crafts and trade, and the growing population led to the emergence of towns in the Gangetic plains.
- This is called the second urbanisation in Indian history after the first urbanisation evident in the Harappan Civilization.
- Different types of towns came into being:
1. Political and administrative centres such as Rajagriha, Shravasti, Kaushambi and Champa
2. Centres of trade and commerce such as Ujjain and Taxila
3. Holy centres such as Vaishali.