Description

ABOUT THE BOOK

To sustain the self sufficiency attained through green revolution, it is necessary to develop a suitable agricultural system. The first modern people evolved probably around 50,000 years ago and were called Homo sapien.It was from this stage that the real development began. The beginning of farming was the most influencing factor which changed the manner in which human lived. When they began to start in one place, this led to the development of villages and was followed by the various civilizations. One of the earliest civilizations of the world grew on the banks of the river Indus about 5,000 years ago. Agriculture and crafts were the main occupations of the people.

The first outside invaders were the Aryans. Dynastic rule , however started with coming of coming of Maury an dynasty. King Ashoka, one of the great emperor gave special interest on tree planting and during his reign Buddhism spread all over the country. In the first quarter of the 16th century the Mughals were great conquerors, able administrators, magnificient builders, great philosophers and lovers of the nature. They have contributed more to Indian heritage. On the southern coast large scale trading was carried out with the Europeans and British too landed. Later various attempts were made to overthrow the British rule. These historical events were obtained from so many illustrations by various travelers also.

When we look around us, we would be able to identify almost everything from food to furniture, which originated from Agriculture. This proves how important were the farmers and plant communities.

This book contains all the details from history and development of Agriculture, human beings, tools, This proves, civilizations, sangams, water management, ornamentals, and Arboriculture with regard to farming system. Also it gives information on scientific development of Agriculture, messages passed by the travellers and the vision for an agriculture students in various aspects of Agriculture.

CONTENT 

Preface                                                                                                   3
Acknowledgements                                                                             4
Forwards                                                                                               5
About the book                                                                                     7
About the Author                                                                                 8
1. Early History Archaeological and Historical                              11
Facts in Agriculture
2. Geology of Indian Sub-continent                                                  15
3. Development of Human Culture                                                   22
4. Status of Agriculture in Various Civilizations                             29
5. Different Stages of Agriculture                                                       36
6. History of Agricultural Development                                            41
7. Agriculture Development Medivel Period :                                  43
Under British Rule
8. Astronomy – Prediction of Monsoon Rains                                  48
9. Soil Classification-Maintenance of Soil Productivity                  61
10. Water Management                                                                          66
11. Plant Protection                                                                                  72
12. Origin of Crops – Indigenous and Introduced-                            82
History of Rice, Sugarcane and Cotton
13. Animal Husbandry in Ancient India                                              91
14. Gardening in Ancient Period                                                           93
15. Medicinal Plants and Their Relevance Today                              100
16. Role of Women in Agriculture                                                         103
17. Fisheries in Ancient India                                                                 107
18. Description of Agriculture by Travelers from                               111
Various Countries
19. Achievements – Our Journey in Agriculture –                               114
Vision for Future
20. Agricultural Science – Major Division of Agriculture –               122
Other Aspects of Agricultural Sciences
21. Pioneers in Agriculture                                                                      126

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. (Mrs.) D. Kumari Manimuthu Veeral (b. May, 1972) is working as Assistant Professor in the Departments of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar. She holds over 12 years of teaching and research experience. She has handled three research projects as principal Investigator. They include utilization of Agroindustrial wastes in Maize based cropping system; Recycling of Industrial waste in groundnut funded by TNSCST, Chennai besides Evaluation of direct and residual effects of lignite fly ash funded by UGC, New Delhi. She has publish 11 research papers in national and international journals of repute. She has been honoured with several awards for her distinguished meritorious services and outstanding contribution to the society. She won cash prize during Platinum jubilee celebration of Annamalai Unviersity, 2004 in addition to best paper award- 2005 by Agricultural Research Information Centre, HISAR-2005. She has attended several workshops seminars and symposia. She has also delivered a number of guest lectures.