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chapter 14 vITal vIllageS, THRIvINg

TOwNS

The early men did not have strong claws to fight. They could not even run fast like tigers or
lions. They had no other way to protect themselves from the dangers. So they invented stone
tools to live more comfortably and to protect
themselves from the dangerous animals. Stone
tools helped them doing many other activities
like hunting animals, cutting the flesh and so
on. Though early tools were not very fine and

sharp, but the use of stone tools proved to be
an important step in the evolution of man
and technology. It helped the early man to
survive smartly in the dangerous world.
Evolution of Tools

flourIsHIng VIllages

So many towns could not have existed without the support and back-up from prosperous villages
which produced surplus agriculture and could supply food to the growing number of towns and
cities. Surplus productions was mainly possible due to the use of Iron tools and implements.
Axes for clearing forests and iron ploughshare brought more land into cultivation and increased
agricultural production. Apart from better and stronger implements made of iron, agriculture

also flourished due to the system of transplantation and improved methods of irrigation by
canals, wells and artificial lakes. It was often the responsibility of the kings to build canals and
tanks. In return, the farmers had to pay taxes to the kings.

Beginning of Agriculture Iron Tools
WHo lIVed In tHe VIllages?

There were at least three kinds of people living in most villages in the southern and northern
parts of the subcontinent.

Social Studies-6 65