The cultural phase characterised by the use of Copper and stone tools simultaneously is termed Chalcolithic culture. Copper was the first metal used by mankind. Copper was discovered around the 4th millennium BC. Since then man started using Copper tools but the use of stone tools was not given up.

The main reason behind the popularising of Chalcolithic culture in western India was the locally available Copper from the Khetri Mines, Jhunjhunu Rajasthan. This cultural phase belongs to time period between 2800 BC to 700 BC.

Major Chacolithic Cultures flourished in Indian Subcomtinent are discussed Below.

Banas Culture

Banas culture (2600BC–1900 BC) in south-east Rajasthan, with Ahar near Udaipur and Gilund as its key sites.

Ahar

Gilund

Kayatha culture 

1. It flourished in the river valley of Kalisindh, MP during 2200 BC – 2000 BC.
2. Kenyatta was its most important site.
3. It represents the 1st phase of Chalcolithic culture in western India.
4. Kayatha culture (2100BC–2000 BC) with Kayatha in Chambal as its chief site in Madhya Pradesh.

Malwa

Kayatha

Eran

Ahar culture 

1. It flourished in the river valley of Banas in Rajasthan from 2000 BC to 1500 BC.
2. Ahar was known as Timbavati during ancient times because copper was used on a large scale.
3. It was located very close to Khetri Mines.
4. Ahar and Gilund were the most important sites of this culture.

Malwa Culture

1. Malwa Culture representation the 3rd phase of CC in western India. It flourished during 1600 – 1300 BC.
2. Navdatoli and Eran located in MP were the most important sites.
3. Malwa Ware of Malwa Culture is considered the wealthiest Chalcolithic Pottery.

Jorwe Culture

Jorwe culture flourished in MH during 1400 – 700 BC.

Jorwe, Inamgaon and Daimabad were the most important sites. Jorwe site was located on the Pravara river, tributary of Godavari in Ahmadnagar. Jorwe culture does not cover Vidarbha and Coastal Konkan.

Some more Chalcolithic culture have been discovered in western India during excavations but these could not be placed in a proper Chronological order w.r.t the four main Chalcolithic culture.

1. Savalda culture flourished in North MH and parts of GJ in 2000 – 1800 BC.
2. Rangpur culture and Prabhas culture flourished in GJ during 1800 – 1400 BC. Prabhas was the ancient name of modern Somanath.

Jorwe

Nevassa

Daimabad in Ahmadnager District

Chaandoli, Songaon and Inamgaon in Pune District

Prakash

Nasik

Eastern India Chacolithic Sites

1. Pandu Rajar Dhibi ( Burdwan District ) and Mahishdal ( Birbhum District ) in West Bengal.
2. Senuar, Sonpur Taradh in Bihar.
3. Khairadih and Narhan are the important Chacolithic sites in eastern UP.