Early Life to Settled Life
Early Life to Settled Life & Early Political Development
Early Human Life
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Early People | Lived close to nature, depended on hunting and gathering. |
| Nomadic Life | Moved from place to place in search of food and shelter. |
| Belum Caves | Located in present-day Andhra region, showing evidence of early human life. |
| Rock Paintings | Show early hunting, dancing, and community life. |
- Use of stones and bones as tools
- Discovery of fire improved survival
Early Humans = Food Search → Cave Living → Nomadic Life
Beginning of Food Production
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Growing Plants | Early farming used simple tools like wooden ploughs and stones. |
| Rearing Animals | Animals like cows, goats and sheep were domesticated. |
- Food became more stable and predictable
- Surplus food improved village life
Agriculture = Beginning of Civilisation
Shift to Settled Life
| Change | Impact |
|---|---|
| Towards Settled Life | People started living in one place permanently. |
| Permanent Villages | Village systems developed with basic rules. |
| Food Storage | Granaries were built to store surplus grains. |
| Farming | Crop production improved living conditions. |
- Division of work started
- Leadership roles emerged
Settlement → Villages → Social Rules → Leadership
Emergence of Political Organization
| Political Form | Features |
|---|---|
| Kingdoms | Ruled by kings with hereditary power. |
| Republics | Ruled by groups or councils of people. |
| Monarchy | Rule by one king. |
| Democracy | Rule by people or elected leaders. |
Republics existed even before modern democracy.
Ancient Kingdoms and Empires
| Power | Period | Key Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Mahajanapadas | 6th Century BCE | Large political regions like Magadha and Vajji. |
| Magadha | 6th–4th Century BCE | Powerful Mahajanapada, birth place of Mauryan Empire. |
| Vajji Republic | 6th Century BCE | Early form of democratic republic. |
| Mauryan Empire | 322–185 BCE | Founded by Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka’s Dhamma. |
| Gupta Empire | 320–550 CE | Golden Age of Science, Art, and Culture. |
| Satavahana Dynasty | 230 BCE–220 CE | Major rulers of Andhra region, promoted trade and irrigation. |
| Pallava Dynasty | 275–897 CE | Built Mahabalipuram temples. |
| Chalukya Dynasty | 543–757 CE | Promoted Deccan temple architecture. |
Satavahanas = Early Andhra Rulers
Medieval Kingdoms
| Kingdom | Period | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi Sultanate | 1206–1526 | Five dynasties ruled North India, Persian culture spread. |
| Mughal Empire | 1526–1857 | Akbar’s administration, Mughal architecture. |
| Kakatiya Kingdom | 1163–1323 | Warangal capital, tank irrigation system. |
| Vijayanagara Empire | 1336–1646 | Capital Hampi, protected South Indian culture. |
| Regional Kingdoms | 13th–17th Century | Reddi Kingdoms and other local rulers in Andhra region. |
Delhi Sultanate ruled North while Kakatiyas & Vijayanagara ruled South.
Andhra Pradesh – Regional Integration
- Belum Caves – Evidence of early human activity in Andhra
- Satavahanas – First major Andhra rulers
- Kakatiya Kingdom – Developed irrigation and Warangal Fort
- Reddi Kingdoms – Coastal Andhra rulers
- Vijayanagara Empire – Strong cultural protector of Telugu land
Andhra History Flow: Belum → Satavahana → Kakatiya → Reddi → Vijayanagara