Ancient India- Indus
What is a subcontinent?1. a large,
distinguishable part of a continent
2. The Indian Subcontinent is separated from the rest of Asia because of the Himalayan Mountains.
Geography
Monsoons affect India1. Seasonal winds, bring either dry air or heavy rains
Geography
Environmental Challenges 1) floods – unpredictable, Indus and Ganges Rivers2) monsoons – seasonal dry/wet winds extreme
Environmental ChallengesNatural Barriers for the Indian Subcontinent?1) Himalayan mountains to the north2) Thar Desert to the west
a. (modern day Pakistan and Afghanistan)3)Indian Ocean to the south
Complex Institution: Government of Ancient Indus1) No evidence of a single ruler,
but must have had a centralized government
Complex Institution: Religion of Ancient Indus1) Polytheistic – connection to modern day Hinduism and their Gods,
a) theocracy- priests head of religion & governmentin Indus
Specialized Workers-Economy• Trade- we know they
had specialized workers, therefore must have had an agricultural surplus.
Examples:Harappamodern day Punjab, Pakistan
Mohenjo-daroSindh, Pakistan
Kalibangana pre-historic site in Northwest India
Advanced Cities1) Center of trade2) city planning – streets are perpendicular, grid system,& parallel3) Uniform housing4) Drainage system that lead out to the Rivers5) Citadel
What is a Citadel?A fortified area, which contained
the major buildings of the city.
Advanced Cities
Society1) No social class or division–no difference between the peoples2) Peaceful society – no weapons
Technology 3) Seals/ Stamps- trade with other civilizationsincluding Sumerians.4) Seal/Stamps were carved in clay.5) Children’s Toys and games- prosperous societythat could afford goods.6) Public wells , advanced drainage, & irrigation system
Record Keeping: 1) Language and writing system, but there is no translation tool like the Rosetta Stone.
Do not know how Indus civilization ended.
•Stop
Geography• India is a
subcontinent separated from Northern Asia by the Hindu Kush, Karakorum & Himalayan mountains.
• Mountains: protect Indus Valley from invasion
• Indus & Ganges Rivers: provide fertile silt for farming.
• Monsoons- seasonal winds: control India’s climate. Cause flooding or droughts
Geography
Indus Valley Civilization
(2500 – 1500 BCE)
Indus Valley Civilizations
• 2500 BCE- Earliest cities were built in Indus Valley–Kalibangan, Mohenjo-Daro. &
Harappa are largest.
Harappa• Sophisticated city planning. Had:
– Citadel- fortified area which contained major buildings.
– Precise grid– Standard sized bricks– Plumbing and sewage system– Built on platforms to protect it from flooding
Harappa
Government• The extensive planning and uniformity in
construction suggests that Harappa had a strong central government.
Culture
• Harappa culture developed a written language–It has not been deciphered–Inscriptions have been found on stamps and
seals. –Made up of 400 symbols.
Let’s See
• Ted Talk: Indus Language
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwYxHPXIaao
• Crash Course
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7ndRwqJYDM
Seals from Harappa
Culture continued…
• Clay and wooden toys were found
• Few weapons have been found
• Many animal images
Religion
• Archeologists think it was a theocracy.• No temples have been found• Gods- Shiva (major Hindu god) & a mother
goddess.
Economy
• Traded with people in northern Afghanistan, Persia, and Mesopotamia –Traded brightly colored cotton for
gold, silver, jewels, copper.• Farming: grew wheat, barley,
melons, dates
Decline 1750 BCE
• Tectonic plates shifted causing:–Earthquakes, floods and altered the course of the
Indus River–Agriculture was depleted from this and overuse.
• Nomadic invaders then overran Indus valley