Second Urbanization of Indian Subcontinent as discussed by Harsh Kumar
Background
After the Vedic age, there were so much progress happened in the different spheres of human life around the 6th century BC. The emergence of urban centres in north India was one of these developments. For the second time a number of towns and cities emerged in India because the first phase was witnessed during the Indus Valley Civilization. This urbanization was the outcome of the solid material, socio-cultural and political base prepared by all around progress during the 6th century BC. This process of urbanization was continued for almost 1000 years which engulfed whole India.
Economic Factors Involved in Second Urbanization (Material Base)
Role of Agriculture
The process of agriculture growth that started around c. 1000 B, reached the stage of agriculture surplus by the 6th Century BC. By this time, peasants had started using animal power in agricultural activities frequently to pull the plough. Agriculture expansion produced huge amount of surplus which prepared a solid material base for emergence of the urban centres.
Role of Arts and Crafts
By the 6th century BC, the use of iron was further increased in the development new crafts as new crafts emerged further. The crafts based on leather working, cotton and woolen textiles, pottery, gold smithing, copper smithing and carpentry etc. were progressed immensely. The availability of agriculture surplus further increased the demand for the art and crafts as peoples need pots for storage purposes that led to the development of the urban centres like Mathura and commenced the beginning of urbanization in north India.
Role of Trade and Commerce
Trade and commerce witnessed a remarkable progress during 6th century BC. The availability of agriculture surplus and emergence of new art and crafts gave boost to the trade and commerce during this age. A number of other factors were also responsible for the emergence of the trade and commerce. They were monetization of economy, emergence of guilds, knowledge of script and political unification witnessed in North India.
For the first time, the coins were issued in Indian history in 6th century BC. These coins were known as punch marked coins. These were small pieces of silver and copper having and various symbols punched on them. Monetization of economy gave boost to trade and commerce because it helped in the growth of exchange networks. Guilds were also emerged for the first-time during 6th century BC.
These were the organizations of groups involved in different economic activities such as trade and commerce as well as in art and crafts. The guilds managed markets, checked the quality of goods, fixed the prices of goods, looked after the welfare of its members and facilitated the transfer of vocational knowledge from generation to generation. They also maintained troops for the safety of its members during movement.
Guilds also enjoyed judicial powers over its members. In reality, a guild was a state within a state. There positive role helped in all around progress of economy. The emergence of Mahajanapadas resulted in political unification at a much bigger scale. The administration of these Mahajanapadas helped in facilitating trade and commerce further as kings patronized merchants and traders for the overall benefits of the state. This progress resulted in the development of various new trade and commerce centres on one hand and the other hand the character of existing settlements got transformed.
The Role Socio-Cultural Factors in Second Urbanization
The population increased over a period of time contributed to the progress of urbanization because the size of existing settlements increased and new settlements also emerged during the 6th century BC. The positive ideas and values put forward by the heterodox sects during 6th century BC gave boost to the trade and commerce and emergence of urban centres.
The leaders like Mahatma Buddha and Mahavira supported the practices of money lending. They were closely associated with rich merchants and traders. Materialistic outlook gained ground in Northern India as a result of remarkable progress witnessed in economy. This outlook encouraged peoples to invest their time and money in economic activities.
The Role of Politico-Admin Factors
The capitals of Mahajanapadas were flourishing towns and cities because capital centres attracted the artisans and craftsmen as well as merchants and traders. Kings patronized these groups to strengthen economic foundation of state. The urban centres like Vaishali, Avanti, Champa and Shravasti were examples of such important urban centres.
Thus, there various different elements and factors that helped in the development of the second urbanization in the Indian subcontinent.
Also Read : Indus Valley Civilization – The Origin