This period corresponds in an archaeological context to the Northern Black Polished Ware culture. Especially focused in the Central Ganges plain but also spreading across vast areas of the northern and central Indian subcontinent, this culture is characterised by the emergence of large cities with massive fortifications, significant population growth, increased social stratification, wide-ranging trade networks, construction of public architecture and water channels, specialised craft industries, a system of weights, punch-marked coins, and the introduction of writing in the form of Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts.J.M. Kenoyer (2006), "Cultures and Societies of the Indus Tradition. In Historical Roots" in the Making of 'the Aryan, R. Thapar (ed.), pp. 21–49. New Delhi, National Book Trust. The language of the gentry at that time was Sanskrit, while the languages of the general population of northern India are referred to as Prakrits.
This period corresponds in an archaeological context to the Northern Black Polished Ware culture Especially focused in the Central Ganges plain but also spreading across vast areas of the northern and central Indian subcontinent this culture is characterised by the emergence of large cities with massive fortifications significant population growth increased social stratification wide-ranging trade networks construction of public architecture and water channels specialised craft industries a system of weights punch-marked coins and the introduction of writing in the form of Brahmi and Kharosthi scriptsJM Kenoyer (2006) "Cultures and Societies of the Indus Tradition In Historical Roots" in the Making of 'the Aryan R Thapar (ed) pp 21–49 New Delhi National Book Trust The language of the gentry at that time was Sanskrit while the languages of the general population of northern India are referred to as Prakrits