Evolution of Man

Prof. Swapan Das Gupta

JGBS : BBA-MBA
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Man is derived from "human from
Latinhumanus - the adjectival
ofhomo
homo the genus to which humans
belong
Man is an inhabitant on the Earth.
Imperative to know its origin
A Brief History of Time( "From the
Big Bang to Black Holes") chronicles
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The book, written by Stephen Hawking is a best seller
Big Bang- A model of development of theuniverse.
Key ideas are:(a) The universe isexpanding.
(b) The universe was denser and hotter in the past.
(c) The Big Bang model suggests that at some moment
all matter in the universe was contained in a single
point
This moment , considered as the beginning of the
Universe is
13.8billionyears ago
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Dash Avatara (Ten Incarnations) - Hindu mythology also depicts the
evolution of earth
1.Matsya Fish : The earth is mostly covered with water

2.Kurma Tortoise: A creature moving half way in water & land

3.Varaha Boar : Now the animal is in land

4.Narasimha Half Man & Lion : Human as a species is in offing

5.Vamana Dwarf Man : Man comes into being, short in height

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6.Parasurama Metal discovered, uses as weapon
7.Rama Morality : Aryans going to down south
8.Krishna Conflicts : Win of virtue over evil
9.Balarama Agriculture : Plough symbolizes it
10.Kalki Elimination of Chaos , yet to arrive
The famous Noah's Ark is relevant in this
connection.
The story is repeated, with variations, in the Quran
Ark appears asSafina Nu
Arabic:" Noah's boat"
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Origin of Species - Darwin's theory of
evolution (1859) :-

Everyspeciesis fertile, Offspring survive

A struggle for survival ensues
Individuals suited to environment likely to
survive
Individuals leave their traits to future
generations
This effected changes to adapt to
environments
These variations
accumulate
to 6form new
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Originally with other animals

It was in the Paleolithic era
2.6 millions years ago
Subsisted by gathering plants &
fishing scavenging wild animals
Human : From Homo into Homo
Sapiens

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The next vital step for Human was to
Stand on TWO legs & move (Biped)
Differentiated MAN from Quadrupeds
Brain works better in that position
Valid as directed by OUR parents
To study in that position ONLY
NOT in lying down in horizontal
position
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Invention of Fire :
A landmark in Human History
Protection from other animals
Use of fire for burning flesh
Eating habit changes inception of cooking
Vedas : Testimony of the importance of Fire
Rigveda - Eulogizes Fire (Agni) through hymns for
prayers
Yajurveda - In poetical form seeks protection &
blessings
Samaveda Hymns (Mantras) are put to lyrics &
music
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FIRE was used by Human for
(a)Potteries
(b)To preserve water for future
(c)Illustrated in the next slide

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Inception of Agriculture:
Agriculture was developed around
12,000 years ago.
Western Asia,EgyptandIndiawere the
earliest sites
Independent development occurred in
China also
These included planned sowing &
harvesting
During Neolithic Revolution (Agricultural
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Revolution) For class discussions at JGBS only

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Modern Agricultural development :Only 200 years back

Which emphasized on
Reduction / Replacement of human
labour
Use of synthetic Fertilizers &
Pesticides

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Volga Se Ganga 20 stories (Rahul Sankrityan):
Evolution of Man & Society
Excerpts:

Nisha: (In Caucasia ,Russia 6000 BC) : Matriarchal to

Patriarchal society
Puruhoot(Tajikistan2500 BC) : Arms race started during
that period.
Angira(Taxila1800 BC) : Precursor toVedicRishis
Pravahan(700 BC. Panchal, U.P.) : Upper class uses
religion to exploit
Nagdatt(300 BC) : Classmate ofChanakyatravels
toGreece
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Prabha, (50 AD) :For
Dramatist
Ashwaghosh,adopted

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Empires developed, features:(a) Well-trained professional armies
(c) Advanced bureaucracies
(d) Emperors ruled over large domains
(e) Empiresonmilitary annexationof
territory
(f) Formation of defended settlements
to become agricultural centres
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Colonies were set up for amassing
wealth
Next landmark Invention of
Steam
Steam Engine - Manufacturing
Alternative means of livelihood
Factories started producing products
Employment gradually larger
Industrial Revolution
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NOW

Digital Age

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THANK YOU

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