Who among the following cultures were the first to paint their pottery?

The Chalcolithic period (Copper Age) is historically recognized as the first culture to produce painted pottery in the Indian subcontinent. While pottery originated in the Neolithic age, it was primarily handmade, coarse, and devoid of decoration or unglazed [3]. In contrast, the Chalcolithic period introduced sophisticated ceramic traditions such as the Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP), which featured red slips and black painted designs [1]. This era also saw the rise of the Harappan civilization, which utilized well-fired wheel-made pottery decorated with intricate motifs like pipal leaves, fish scales, and geometric patterns [3]. Although the Iron Age is famous for the 'Painted Grey Ware' (PGW) culture, the practice of painting pottery had already been established during the preceding Chalcolithic phase. Therefore, the Chalcolithic cultures were the pioneers in applying painted decorations to their ceramic vessels.

Sources

1. [3] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 2: Early India: The Chalcolithic, Megalithic, Iron Age and Vedic Cultures > 2.2 Iron Age in North India > p. 20
2. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 2: Early India: The Chalcolithic, Megalithic, Iron Age and Vedic Cultures > Ochre Coloured Pottery Ware Culture > p. 19
3. [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 1: Early India: From the Beginnings to the Indus Civilisation > Pottery > p. 11