Tracing the arc of tool making and manufacturing
- A journey from the world to India and Manipur -

Dr Makakmayum Baadshah *

Tools at display at Manipur Tourism Festival on 12th March 2008 :: Pix - David M Mayum

Tool making and manufacturing are among the earliest and transformative human innovations, catalysing the evolution of civilization from hunter gatherer societies to industrialized Nations. This article traces the historical path of tool making, beginning with its global origins; moving through the Indian subcontinent's contributions, and culminating in the specific context of Manipur, a region rich in cultural craftsmanship and evolving technological practice.

Global Beginnings: From Stone Tools to Industrial Foundations

The earliest evidence of tool-making dates back to the Oldowan industry in East Africa, approximately 2.6 million years ago (Semaw, 2000, p. 1197). These rudimentary stone tools primarily flake and cores marked the dawn of the Lower Paleolithic period.

As humans migrated, so did their technological repertoires. The Acheulean hand axe, associated with Homo erectus, spread across Africa, Europe, and parts of Asia by 1.7 million years ago. The Neolithic revolution around 10,000 BCE further transformed tool making by introducing polished stone tools, pottery, and settled agriculture.

Bronze and Iron Ages saw monumental changes

The casting of bronze tools and weapons in Mesopotamia and China around 3000 BCE and the subsequent advent of iron metallurgy in Anatolia around 1200 BCE. These metallurgical advancements laid the groundwork for organized manufacturing and division of labour.

The industrial revolution in England from the late 18th Century to the mid-19th Century introduced mechanized manufacturing. The invention of steam engine, power loom and the spinning jenny and later the assembly line, fundamentally transformed labour, production and economics that shape the modem world.

Indian Contributions: A Continuous Heritage of Innovation

The earliest stage of human technological development occurred in India during the Palaeolithic era, which is a subset of the larger Stone Age. The Oldowan and Acheulian traditions are two well-known stone tool traditions from this era. These customs provide insights into early human adaptive strategies and lifestyles by reflecting their cognitive and technological development.

While the Acheulian tradition marks improvements in tool-making methods and the use of larger, more sophisticated tools, the Oldowan tradition represents the earliest form of stone tool technology. India's cultural legacy of tool making is both ancient and continuous.

The hand axes of the subcontinents Acheulian, found at Soan valley, Attirampakkam and the Narmada valley helps to understand the spread and development of early human populations in Indian subcontinent. The Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1300 BCE) demonstrated remarkable metallurgical and manufacturing capabilities, including standardized weights, bronze tools, and urban craft specialization (Kenoyer, 1998, pp. 58-72).

Sites like Lothal provide archaeological evidence of bead-making factories and copper tool workshops. During the Iron Age and the Mauryan Empire (c. 321-185 BCE), India witnessed further refinement in iron tools, including ploughshares, sickles, and carpentry implements.

The knowledge of manufacturing, which includes everything from metallurgy and construction to sculpture and textile production, is emphasised in texts such as Arthashastra and Shilpa Shastras. Sophisticated techniques, particularly the production of Wootz steel (Damascus steel), were developed by Indian Blacksmiths and artisans in regions such as Bastar and Tamilakam.

Indian tool making underwent both diversification and disruption during the mediaeval and colonial periods. Both decline and adaptation resulted from the industrial frameworks imposed by British colonisation, which marginalised indigenous manufacturing.

Manipur: Localizing Innovation and Craftsmanship

The north-eastern Indian state of Manipur offers a distinct story within the larger Indian context. Manipur's deep-rooted craftsmanship culture is influenced by indigenous knowledge systems, the natural environment, and interregional trade, despite its geographic distance from ancient urban centres.

In areas such as Andro and Phayeng, traditional blacksmithing has maintained the production of household tools, weapons, and agricultural implements. Axes, sickles, and dao (multi-purpose machetes) were and remain essential tools in agrarian life. A deep awareness of local ore sources, forge conditions, and community utility is reflected in local metallurgy.

Craftsmanship in bamboo and cane also illustrate an innovative use of natural resources which are used to make baskets, fishing implements, and construction tools. Another method of creating tools that combines practicality and cultural expression is the traditional loom used by the Meitei, Pangal and Tribal communities. Manipur's involvement in manufacturing is still modest but active in the modem era.

Indigenous knowledge is being revived by small-scale industries and vocational schools while incorporating contemporary methods. A new generation of Manipuri artisans and business people is emerging as a result of growing access to digital fabrication tools like CNC machines and 3D printing, re-establishing ties to tradition while looking to the future.

Colonial and Postcolonial Transitions

British colonial rule in the 19th century disrupted traditional manufacturing systems in Manipur by introducing imported goods and administrative restructuring. However, certain artisanal traditions—such as blacksmithing and traditional loom weaving—persisted through community resilience and cultural preservation.

In the post-independence period, tool-making has gradually shifted toward small-scale and agro-based industries. Government schemes and cooperatives have aimed to modernize production while preserving traditional crafts.

Conclusion:

From Hand Axe to Hybrid Tech - The arc of tool making—from global prehistory to regional present—is not merely a story of technical evolution but also one of cultural continuity, adaptation, and resilience.

For Manipur, the future of manufacturing lies in embracing its deep-rooted traditions while engaging critically and creatively with new technologies. As we navigate the 21st century, revisiting and re-valuing our manufacturing histories is not just about preservation, but about envisioning inclusive and sustainable growth.

Manipur, with its rich artisanal heritage and youthful innovation, holds promise as a meaningful participant in this unfolding narrative.

References:

o Kenoyer, J. M. (1998). Ancient Cities of the Indus Valley Civilization.
o Karachi: Oxford University Press, Semaw, S. (2000).
o "The World's Oldest Stone Tools," Nature, 385,
o Shamasastry, R. (1915). Kautilya's Arthashastra.