Pottery tradition in India

Published on 26 Oct 2025

• Neolithic age: First reference of pottery in this age. It is hand-made pottery but during the later period foot-wheel was also used.

• Chalcolithic age: It is marked by the occurrence of distinct pottery cultures. 

• Example: Black and Red-ware pottery and Ochre colored pottery.

• Harappan civilization: Pottery traditions that existed during this time include- Polished Ware Pottery with rough surface

• Example: Ochre colored pottery (OCP), Black-grey burnished ware, Black-on-red ware, Grey-ware and Painted grey-ware

• Vedic age: It is marked by the occurrence of distinct pottery cultures

• Example: Painted Grey-ware (PGW), Northern Black Polished ware (NBPW), megalithic pottery found in Kerala.

• Mauryan period: Use of the pottery wheel became universal. The pottery associated with the Mauryan period consists of many types of wares. 

• Example: Northern Black Polished Ware (NBP)

• Kushan period: The Kushan cultural phase in Bengal and North Indian sites brought a new horizon in ceramic craft. 

• Example: Polished Ware 

• Gupta period: Gupta pottery remains found at Ahichchhatra, Rajgarh, Hastinapur and Bashar afford an outstanding proof of the excellence of pottery. 

• Example: Polished Red ware 

Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
Pottery tradition in India pottery Mehrgarh Indus Valley Civilization IVC Evolution of pottery making in India Neolithic age hand made pottery foot wheel pottery making Chalcolithic age black and red ware Harappan civilization OCP Ochre colored pottery Black on red ware grey ware painted grey ware Vedic age PGW NBPW Northern Black Polished ware Mauryan period pottery wheel Kushan period polished ware Gupta period red ware Ahichchhatra Rajgarh Hastinapur Bashar

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Indian Heritage and Culture