Chapter 3: India
Revision
What is civilisation?What is the difference
between kingdom and empire?
OverviewBirth of civilisation in India
Features of the Indus Valley Civilisation
Decline of the Indus Valley Civilisation
The arrival of the Aryans
What comes to mind when you think of India?
Prior to 1920...
Historians thought that the Aryans (1700 BCE) were the first Indian civilisation.
Excavations in 1920 led to the finding of Mohenjo-daro. In the 1950s, Harappa was
found.
Information about the Indus Valley Civilisations are based purely on archaeological findings.
Origins
Began around 3000 BCE, ended around 1900 BCE
Dravidians settled in the Indus plains.
Built cities e.g. Harappa and Mohenjo-daro
A map showing the extent of the Indus Valley Civilisation
View of Mohenjodaro
Architecture
The Great Bath
The college
The granary?
Sophisticated drainage systems and sanitary facilities
Economic activities
Agriculture Trade
Production of pottery,
copper etc.
Occupations
Farmers, craftsmen and traders
King-priests who conducted religious
ceremonies
Government
TheocraticWorshipped a “Priest King”
Religion
Worship of fertility goddesses
Worship of sacred animals
Writing
Indus seals – probably used by traders for
identifying goods
Not deciphered yet
Why did the Indus Valley Civilisation decline?
Probable causes:Severe floods killed
many and forced others to leave
Invasion by another people – the Aryans
Overpopulation
The Aryans
Nomads, came from the Western part of Asia.Entered India in small groups, fought with
Dravidians but settled down
Gradually moved eastwards into Ganges
valleyCultures of Dravidians and Aryans gradually mixed, as
seen in Hinduism Movement of Aryans into Ganges Valley