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

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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