Five Minute Writing Assignment
• Using the map:• How do you think
geography benefitted India’s early civilizations?
Still Unit 2: “River Valley Civilizations”The Indus
River Valley
Political• Identically planned cities and construction
suggests :• a strong unified government : Central control• evidence of a religious – oligarchy (Theocracy)
Economic• Evidence of trade over
long distances• evidence of common
currency and seals• Artifacts found show
that Mesopotamia and Indus Valley traded for about 350 years
Religious• Artifacts show
links to modern Hindu Culture–Shiva- is a
major Hindu god
• Worshipped Cows
What is a Citadel?• Citadel Mound: consists of
several large buildings and structures
• The structure and organization suggest that this area may have been used for public gatherings, religious activities or important political/administrative activities.
The Citadel mound at Mohenjo-daroStupa - A dome-shaped structure built as a center of citadel
Social• Civilization was
generally stable and uniform
• Same kinds of houses suggests little social differences
• Toys were found for children – this shows prosperity since they can make things they do not NEED to survive
• Social classes and structure was based on occupation:
• Example: • Priests – Brahmins class
Intellectual• Solved the problem of plumbing• Built extensive plumbing systems
–Private bath and toilet for every house–Toilets made of brick with wooden
seats–Pipes connected underground sewer
system
Achievements• Sophisticated city planning – very
detailed and organized–Used a grid system
• Citadel – a fortified area surrounded by a wall that protected the major buildings in the city–Public buildings, bath, granaries and
religious quarters
Harappa
Mohenjo Daro
Geography• Wall of Mountains- separated India from the rest of Asia
– Hindu Kush ( mountain range that stretches between central Afghanistan and northern Pakistan.)
– Himalaya (mountain range that stretches the north east border of India)
• This created an Indian Sub-Continent• Monsoons – trade winds that brought rain in the
summer and dry wind in the winter• Major Rivers-
– Indus– Ganges
Collapse of Harappan Civilization
• By 1500 BCE, the Harappan civilization had disappeared
• Still much to figure out---have not yet fully deciphered pictogram writings
• Possible causes for disappearance?– Floods?– Invaders?