The Painted Grey Ware culture mostly corresponds to which of the following?

The correct answer is Later Vedic Period.

Key Points

• The Painted Grey Ware (PGW) culture is attributed to the Later Vedic Period, roughly spanning from 1200 BCE to 600 BCE.
• This culture is characterized by the use of fine, grey pottery painted with geometric patterns.
• Sites associated with PGW have been discovered in regions of the Indo-Gangetic plains, including the states of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
• PGW is linked with the early phases of the Mahabharata epic, suggesting a historical context for the narratives described in the text.
• Archaeological finds from PGW sites include domesticated animals, iron tools, and evidence of settled agricultural communities.

Additional Information

• Vedic Period: The Vedic period is divided into the Early Vedic Period (Rigvedic Period) and the Later Vedic Period.
• Iron Age: The Later Vedic Period marks the beginning of the Iron Age in the Indian subcontinent.
• Settlements: The period saw the establishment of large settlements and urban centers, with more complex social structures.
• Political Structures: The Later Vedic Period witnessed the rise of kingdoms and the development of centralized political structures.
• Religious Texts: Important texts like the Brahmanas, Upanishads, and Aranyakas were composed during this time, building on the foundations laid by the Rigveda.