Abstract
This essay traces the broad stages of economic development and their social impact for over two millennia in
Haryana from proto-historic period to early medieval period. Beginning with the rural, semi-nomadic, agropastoral economy of pre-literate, pre-class, pre-state Vedic people, the region underwent significant economic
transformations in sixth century BC: widespread use of iron, extensive sedentary agriculture, trade, and
urbanization. These had profound social consequences in that they led to emergence of caste- and statesystems. These developments were accelerated over time, leading to consolidation of village communities,
proliferation of occupational castes (jatis), intensification of social inequalities, and political ascendency of
clans and emergence of clan-based ruling elites by the first millennium AD.
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Suraj Bhan Bhardwaj
Associate Professor Department of History Motilal Nehru College University of Delhi, South Campus
Received: 25-05-2017, Accepted: 06-07-2017, Published Online: 17-07-2017