eISSN 2583-6986 IDEALISTIC JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH IN PROGRESSIVE SPECTRUMS (ARPS) AMONTHLY, OPEN ACCESS, PEER REVIEWED (REFEREED) INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL Volume 03, Issue 10, October 2024 Ancient Indian Agriculture & Domestication: A Model of Sustainability. [From Stone to Script] Sumit Gupta’ & Sanskriti Verma? Research Scholar Department of Ancient Indian History & Archaeology University of Lucknow-Lucknow °Research Scholar Department of Ancient Indian History & Archaeology University of Lucknow-Lucknow Received: 24 Oct 2024 Accepted & Reviewed: 25 Oct 2024, Published : 31 Oct 2024 Abstract This research paper expresses the sustainable agricultural practices in ancient India, contrasting them with modern agriculture’s reliance on harmful pesticides and fertilizers. Despite limited resources, ancient agriculture was better than today’s agriculture filled with harmful pesticides, and fertilizers. Ancient Literature such as Vedic Samiritas, Arthashalura, Nitisar, Vriksh-Yajurveda, etc mentioned a great knowledge about their Agriculture, fully depended on Natural resources, and had eco-friendly agricultural resources. over time, they chose artificial resources as well but those resources were also eco-friendly. Domestication was a part of ancient human lives. ancient literature, inscriptions, and ancient coins tell us about their knowledge of animals as well. We can say that there is a gradual development of ancient agriculture and domestication. This paper evaluates the process of agriculture and domestication in ancient India, with the help of ancient literature, archaeology, inscriptions, and numismatics to create complete details. of these agricultural practices and their impact on our society. Keywords: Sustainable Agriculture, Script, Epigraphy, Numismatics, Domestication, Ancient Indian Farming, Agronomy, Ancient Indian Agriculture. Introduction Ancient humans had a nomadic lifestyle, along over time, they developed agricultural practices, and domesticated plants and animals. these early agricultural practices often appear to reflect good ecological sustainability. The excavation of Lahuradeva provides the oldest evidence of rice cultivation (Oryza sativa) in India, which is also evidence of the oldest rice cultivation globally, with its dating going back to the 7th millennium BCE’, while the evidence of wild rice (Oryza nivara) comes from Chopani-Mando in the Mesolithic Period in India.’ Ancient literature such as the Vedas, Kautilva's Arthashastra, Kamandaka's Nirisara? and the works of Charaka and Sushruta provide extensive knowledge of these practices, which often surpass contemporary agricultural methods in terms of sustainability. In Vedie literature, agriculture is mentioned as the most honorable activity. Maity mentions in his book, Economic Life of Northern India in the Gupta Period, that in the early stages of Aryan civilization, cattle were the primary property of the people. At that time, agriculture was not properly known. but ancient people already gained a great knowledge of seed protection, grain storage, manure ‘management, and irrigation systems. They developed various tools for agricultural purposes, as evidenced by archaeological findings. While they lacked modern vehicles like tractors, they had a deep understanding of their fields and employed oxen for plowing. There is evidence of the use of oxen, Which count can be 24, for agriculture in Athravaveda and Kathak Sanhita as well. Their knowledge encompassed climatology, crop eS QUARPS JOURNAL, 2024 [Link] FaeISSN 2583-6986 IDEALISTIC JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH IN PROGRESSIVE SPECTRUMS (ARPS) AMONTHLY, OPEN ACCESS, PEER REVIEWED (REFEREED) INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL Volume 03, Issue 10, October 2024 rotation, seasonal cultivation, and the effective use of manure. Kathak Samhita mentions the term sita for plowshare. (Kathak Sanhita 20/13) Athrvaveda and Chandogya Upanishad mention about a group of grasshoppers that demonstrate the erops. Chandogya Upanishad mention a famine that had the same cause. Ancient humans had a great ecosystem for their irrigation as well. Humans used Natural and Artificial both types of irrigation methods, but they used the natural ones primarily. They used Rivers, Canals, Wells, Arghatta, or Persian wheel to irrigate their fields. Atharvaveda, Kautilya Arthashashtra, etc texts mentioned this system clearly, 4t/vvaveda mentions the process of making a canal.° There are various verses in our oldest text Rigveda about their River system. Some of them are presenting here - ca-megcit ait acai Ree | aeicieel gfgen ai: accmarieet ret arate RB | aeteer age ae FR 6.20.99 safle RRMA | rarer deaf safer ae aftr scr fe reef | ore a ear eertea eA AT Wk. FE [Link].E (We irrigate water from well-irrigated, water-filled, dry pits with leather ropes.) Ancient people had great knowledge of weather as well, there are many verses in our oldest texts such as the Vedas. The text, Athrvaveda mentions their monsoonal knowledge of agriculture. A prayer for rain is mentioned in this text. Which ft eer Sea | eR sear aa a ae FL seiner eal: ear ez | a sepa sy a al eH ord BV.R ‘The other prayer which shows their knowledge about weather is: at 9 HORE UP | Agriculture in Inscriptions: In epigraphy, the oldest evidence of ancient agriculture can be seen in SOIGMUMMOODDEMINSEMDHON. situated in the Gorakhpur district. There is a mention in Brahmi script of a grain storage room that can be used during QUARPS JOURNAL, 2024 [Link] 2seISSN 2583-6986 IDEALISTIC JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH IN PROGRESSIVE SPECTRUMS (ARPS) AMONTHLY, OPEN ACCESS, PEER REVIEWED (REFEREED) INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL Volume 03, Issue 10, October 2024 famine and several pictures in this inscription, which suggest their worship of agricultural products. These pictures included- A Tree, A Lotus, A Sun-Moon picture, and A two-floor storage room probably.* figure |: eT Source- Barua BM. The Sohgaura Copper-Plate Inscription. Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. 1930; 11(1):32-48. Retrieved: 05/10/2024 Another inscription is the [@ZM07G0Se8PO08, currently situated in Bangladesh. This inscription Is also in Brahmi script, Prakrit Language. there is a mention of giving mole to a Buddhist group. Another mention is, the same as the Sohgaura Copper Inscription of a grain storage room that can be used during any pandemic or emergency.’ Figure 2 > Mahasthan Inscription source- Mahasthan Bralnni Inscription - Banglapedia, hittps://[Link]/[Link]/Mahasthan_Bralimi_Inscription ‘The Major Rock Edict I of Great King Ashoka states that he urged his people to cease the slaughter of animals. he mentioned that before this edict, millions of animals were killed for consumption, However, he decreed that this practice should be discontinued, Since this moral script was written, two peacocks and a deer have been dying repeatedly, and even in the future, these animals not cease to die. The Major Rock Edict II (Girnar Edition) mentions that he ordered to medical treatment of humans and animals, the planting of fruits, and medical herbs, and the digging of wells as well. This proves that there is no shortage of grain or crops. ‘° The (@Q0RRRSCEPHON of Ridracaman mentions a lake called Sudarshana situated in Saurashtra, which Pushyagupta, a governor under the Maurya king Chandragupta Maurya, constructed. Tushaspha,a provincial ruler under Ashoka, later made canals from this lake for agricultural purposes. The inscription also mentions QUARPS JOURNAL, 2024 [Link] 25eISSN 2583-6986 IDEALISTIC JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH IN PROGRESSIVE SPECTRUMS (ARPS) AMONTHLY, OPEN ACCESS, PEER REVIEWED (REFEREED) INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL Volume 03, Issue 10, October 2024 that the lake's dam was breached to a length of 74 hands during the reign of King Rudradaman, and he undertook its repair without imposing any taxes on the people.* Figure 3 : Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman*® AERA of KEBIWA mentioned a great itrigaion system, it shows that Kharvela, A chedi king extended a canal in his St regional year, up to his capital, originally made by Nanda ruler ‘Mahapadmnanda? Agriculture in Ancient Coins: Figure 4 : Agatho-cles square silver coin- Balaram with plow, reverse, Source: Retrieved-04/10/2024 Figure 5 : Hippostratous cornucopia, Source: [Link] html, Retrieved-04/10/2024 Figure 6 : Menander I palm, Source: [Link] html, Retrieved-04/10/2024 Figure 7 : Kanishka- cormicopia, Source: [Link] jnml, Retrieved-04/10/2024 Domestication- There is a gradual development of agriculture and animal husbandry.‘Animal Husbandry had an essential role in that time. The oldest evidence of domestication in India comes from the Mesolithic period. The major sites, are Bagor and Tilwara from Rajasthan, Langhnaj fom Gujrat, Adamgadh and Bhimbetika trom Madhya a QUARPS JOURNAL, 2024 [Link] aeISSN 2583-6986 IDEALISTIC JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH IN PROGRESSIVE SPECTRUMS (ARPS) AMONTHLY, OPEN ACCESS, PEER REVIEWED (REFEREED) INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL Volume 03, Issue 10, October 2024 Pradesh, Sarai-Nahar-Rai, Chopani-Mando and Mahadaha from Ganga-Belan valleys. There is a rich collection of animal bones in these sites except Bhimberka. This shows us that they used to domesticate animals from this age as well. As we know, the use of animals is still shown in agricultural areas for plowing, transportation, food, or some other areas also, probably they also used the animals for agricultural purposes. ‘We can say, all the animals were used by them for agricultural purposes eventually. The species of animals included Antilope cervicapra, Boselaphus tragocamelus, Lepus sp., etc."' mainly animals were cattle such as Buffalo, Goats, Sheep, Cows, rams, ass, dogs, cats, and Camel ete, which are found at the excavation sites. In the time of the Vedic age, domestication was the subject of social wealth also. Atharvaveda mentions domestication, there are several prayers to increase the number of Animals. The evidence of the horse is presented in ancient texts which were also used for Ashwamedha yagva, and Rajsooya yagya Horse in ancient coins- Figure 8 : Philoxenus silver tetradrachm, the reverse-helmeted king mounted on a horse, Figure 9 : Nicias bronze quadruple king mounted on horse. Figure 10: Nicias silver drachm horse riding Figure 11 : Hippostratos silver tetra drachm horse riding, Reverse- Tyche (The goddess of fortune, chance, luck, and prosperity) holding cornucopia Figure 12 : Diomedes tetra drachm coin, Reverse- Dioscuri riding horse, Figure 13 : Az Source- htips://[Link]/index-greek html, Retrieved: 04/10/2024. The cow was the holy animal in Rigved. It is mentioned as Aghanya (the animal which should not be murdered). Eventually, in the Sanchi copper inscription of Chandragupta 2" it is also mentioned that the slaughter of a cow is as sinful as the murder of any Bralman to murder any cow.* -s-1"“Horse silver tetra drachm coin, horse riding Texts like Narad Smriti (11.30.34), Brihaspati (15.14.16), and Arthashastra mention about herdsmen and the pastoral field, Narad mentions that any herdsmen must save animals like cows, buffalo, sheep, ete. although Arthshastra mentions the taxation system which was applied in the pastoral land. Amarsanhita (9.62, p.213, 9.70-p.215) mentions that a physically fit bull should have the liberty to breed so that the calf will also fit. In the MatsyaPurana (chapter 207, pp.445-47) the qualities of a good Brahmanical bull are mentioned. a @UARPS JOURNAL, 2024 [Link] 28eISSN 2583-6986 IDEALISTIC JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH IN PROGRESSIVE SPECTRUMS (ARPS) AMONTHLY, OPEN ACCESS, PEER REVIEWED (REFEREED) INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL Volume 03, Issue 10, October 2024 Bull in ancient coins- Figure 14: Azes copper Figure 15: Artimidoros humped bull Figure 16: Appolodotus Animals were used for agricultural areas, food, and transportation as well as their bones and cow dung were used for manuring purposes after their death.” Conclusion- Ancient Indian agriculture stands as a testament to the ingenuity and sustainability of early civilizations, Despite extremely scarce resources, ancient Indians developed innovative and surprisingly environmentally friendly agricultural values. Unlike modern agriculture, which relies heavily on fertilizers and pesticides, ancient Indian farmers used natural methods such as manure and crop rotation to improve soil fertility. Domestic animals played an important role in agriculture in ancient India: they were used for transport, cultivation, providing food, and producing manure as fertilizer. They were also used for irrigation, an important aspect of agricultural productivity, Ancient Indian primary literature, such as the Vedas, Arthashastra (Kautilya), Nitisara(Kameandak), Ramayana, Mahabharata, Sushruta Samhita, and Charaka Samhita, etc provides a deep understanding of agricultural principles and their environmental impact. These texts highlight the importance of environmental preservation and sustainable practices. which shows that ancient Indians gained a holistic and environment- friendly approach to agriculture. In Epigraphy, primary inscriptions are Major Rock Ediet-1* and 2" of Great Ashoka, Sohgaura copper plate inscription, Mahasthan inscription, Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman, and Hathigumpha inscription of Kharvela, etc clearly indicate their sustainable eco-friendly agriculture and domestication in ancient India. These records provide valuable details of ancient irrigation techniques, domestication, and the value of environmentally friendly agriculture as well Ancient Indians may not have had the advanced tools of modem agriculture like tractors ete, but their knowledge and practices were incredibly great. They had a deep understanding of weather, soil conditions, and ecological balance which allowed them to cultivate crops sustainably. Ancient Indian Agriculture Practices provide a great example of environment-friendly agriculture. Today humans should learn from our past. They know the importance of environmental sustainability so they started to respect & worship nature. eS QUARPS JOURNAL, 2024 [Link] 2eISSN 2583-6986 IDEALISTIC JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH IN PROGRESSIVE SPECTRUMS (ARPS) AMONTHLY, OPEN ACCESS, PEER REVIEWED (REFEREED) INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL Volume 03, Issue 10, October 2024 References- 1. Pokharia AK, Saxena A, Sharma M, Second preliminary report of the excavations at Lahuradewa District Sant Kabir = Nagar -— [Internet]. 2006 Jan. Available from: [Link] net/publication/285330785 2. Sharma GR. Excavations at Chopani-Mando, Belan Valley, 1977-79. Department of Ancient History, Culture and Archaeology, University of Allahabad; 1980. 3. Aithal DrPK. Vedic Literature And Agriculture. National Journal of Hindi & Sanskrit Research. 2022;1(45):130-3. 4. MAITY SK. Economic Life Of Northern India In the Gupta Period(Cir. A.D. 300-550). CALCUTTA: THE WORLD PRESS PRIVATE LTD; 1957. 71-98 p. 5. Bach was, aes arr 7 gM at Pre six Hee, International Journal of Research [Internet]. 2018 Jan;5(2):134-42. Available from: [Link] 6. Barua BM. THE SOHGAURA COPPER-PLATE INSCRIPTION. Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute [Internet]. 1930;11(1):32-48. Available from: [Link] [Link]/terms 7. Sircar DC. Mahasthan Fragmentary Stone Plaque Inscription. In: Select Inscriptions Bearing on Indian History and Civilisation, Calcutta: UNIVERSITY OF CALCUTTA; 1942. p. 82-3. 8. Sircar DC. Select Inscriptions Bearing On Indian History And Civilization. Vol. 1. Calcutta: University Of Calcutta; 1942. 9. Kant S, The Hathigumpha Inscription of Kharavela and the Bhabru Edict of Asoka: A Critical Study. Ast ed. Delhi: Delhi Prints India; 1971. 116 p. 10. Hultzsh E. Corpus-Inscriptionum-Indicarum-Voll-Inscriptions-Of-Asoka. Vol. 1. Clarendon press, Oxford; 1925. 1-3 p. 11, Ganjoo RK. Early animal domestication in India - facts and queries. Bulletin of the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association. 1988 Jan 1;8(0). 12, Gopal, Lallan ji. Aspects of History of Agriculture in Ancient India, Varanasi: Bharati Prakashsan; 1980, eS QUARPS JOURNAL, 2024 [Link]