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Typology Reference

Diagnostic features of Indian ceramic wares & ancient scripts

Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP)

c. 2000–1500 BCE

Upper Ganga–Yamuna doab

Diagnostic: Ochre-coloured rub-off on hands; often water-worn.

  • Wheel-made
  • Reddish-orange slip
  • Worn / friable surface (ochre rubs off)
  • Bowls, basins, jars

Black-and-Red Ware (BRW)

c. 2000 BCE – 600 BCE

Pan-Indian (Chalcolithic & Megalithic)

Diagnostic: Distinctive bichrome surface from inverted firing in same vessel.

  • Black interior + upper exterior, red lower exterior
  • Inverted-firing technique
  • Bowls and dishes dominant

Painted Grey Ware (PGW)

c. 1200 – 600 BCE

Ganga–Yamuna doab; Punjab–Haryana

Diagnostic: Smooth grey surface with simple black painted designs; associated with Iron Age Vedic culture.

  • Fine grey fabric
  • Wheel-made
  • Black geometric paintings (dots, lines, swastikas)
  • Thali-like dishes & bowls

Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW)

c. 700 – 200 BCE

North India; traded widely

Diagnostic: Distinctive metallic shine — luxury ware of early historic urban centres; marker of 2nd urbanisation.

  • Lustrous black/silvery surface
  • Very fine fabric
  • Mirror-like polish
  • Bowls and dishes

Rouletted Ware (RW)

c. 2nd BCE – 2nd CE

Coastal & Indo-Roman trade ports

Diagnostic: Concentric bands of small impressed dots on inside of base — Mediterranean trade marker.

  • Fine grey/black fabric
  • Rouletted (impressed) patterns on base interior
  • Shallow dishes

Russet-Coated Painted Ware (RCPW)

c. 200 BCE – 300 CE

Megalithic South India

Diagnostic: Russet (rust-coloured) painted lines on red-slipped surface.

  • Red slip with russet-painted bands
  • Wavy / linear motifs
  • Associated with megalithic burials

Red Polished Ware (RPW)

c. 1st – 5th century CE

Western India, Gujarat, Sindh

Diagnostic: High-gloss red surface; spouted sprinkler vessels are typical.

  • Bright red slip
  • High polish
  • Sprinklers, basins, jars

Glazed Ware (Sultanate)

c. 13th – 16th century CE

North & Central India

Diagnostic: Vitreous glazed surface — first true glazed ceramics in India.

  • Tin/lead glaze
  • Blue and green decoration
  • Indo-Islamic context

Reference summary for educational use. Always cross-check with published typological reports (IAR, Man and Environment, Puratattva).