Indian Pottery: Ancient and Traditional

Introduction

Pottery is one of the oldest human crafts, and Indian pottery provides the primary chronological framework for archaeology. From the ochre-colored pottery of the pre-Harappan period to the black polished wares of the Iron Age, pottery traditions are central to understanding India's cultural evolution. This note covers ancient archaeological pottery and living traditional pottery crafts.

Part I: Ancient Archaeological Pottery

Pre-Harappan and Harappan (circa 3300-1300 BCE)

Indus Valley Civilization Pottery

• Wheel-made: Advanced potter's wheel technology; also handmade for special items
• Fabric: Fine red clay with slip (liquid clay coating)
• Black-on-Red Ware: Most characteristic-black designs on red background
• Polychrome pottery: Rarer, multi-colored (red, black, green, rarely white)
• Incised and impressed designs in early phases

Key Design Motifs:

• Geometric: Circles, triangles, squares, wavy lines, checkerboards
• Naturalistic: Pipal leaf, fish-scale, peacock, humped bull, tree motifs
• Use of horizontal bands with interlocking patterns

Harappan Potter's Range:

• Everyday: Bowls, plates, storage jars, cooking vessels, beakers
• Special: Perforated jars (for straining?), goblets with pointed bases, miniature vessels, "S" shaped jars
• Ceramic bangles, toy carts, terracotta figurines (Mother Goddess, animals)
• Burials: Pottery offerings in...