3.1 Early Civilizations of India & Pakistan

Indian Subcontinent  What is a subcontinent? –Large landmass that extends outward from a continent  Contains three of the world’s most populous countries –India, Pakistan, & Bangladesh

Three Major Zones  Gangetic Plain –South of the Himalayas –Fertile region (Indus, Ganges, & Brahmaputra Rivers)

Three Major Zones  Deccan Plateau –What is a plateau?  Raised area of land –Extends into the Indian Ocean –Arid, agriculturally unproductive, and sparsely populated

Three Major Zones  Coastal Plains –Eastern & Western Ghats –Rivers & rain allow for farms –Sea for fishing & trade  Pg. 69

Monsoons  Seasonal wind that regularly blows from a certain direction for part of the year  October –Blows from northeast –Hot, dry air  June –Blows from southwest –Picks up moisture over Indian Ocean & brings downpours

Monsoons  Pros –Water crops  Cons –If late, famine & starvation –If too heavy, deadly floods

Indus Civilization  2600 B.C.  Lasted for 700 years  No known kings, Queens, tax records, literature, or famous victories  Rivaled Sumer

Indus Civilization  1920 discovery of two cities –Harappa –Mohenjo-Daro

Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro  Known for well laid out plumbing & drainage system, including indoor toilets

Indus Civilization  Farmers –Wheat, barley, melons, & dates  Weaved cotton fibers into cloth  Traded with Sumer Civilization  Unique writing system –Only part has been deciphered

Religion  Polytheistic –Believed in many gods  Viewed animals as sacred –Buffalo & bull

Indus Valley Decline  1900 B.C.  Explanations for decline: –Invaders attacked –Damage to local environment –Major flood –Earthquake

Aryan Civilization  Between 2000 B.C. & 1500 B.C.  Did not build cities & left behind little archeological evidence  How do we know about them? –Vedas –Hymns, chants, ritual instructions, & other religious teachings –Vedas were not written down for thousands of years –1500 B.C. – 500 B.C. is known as the Vedic Age

Aryan Civilization  Warriors –Fought in chariots with bows & arrows  Enjoyed food, drink, music, chariot races, & dice games  Valued cattle –Measured wealth in cows & bulls

Aryan Civilization  Eventually settled into villages  Tribes were lead by Rajahs (chiefs)

Aryan Society  Divided society into ranked groups based on occupation –Brahmins (priests) –Kshatriyas (warriors) –Vaisyas (herders, farmers, artisans, & merchants) –Sudras (servants) –Dalits (Outside of caste system)

Aryan Religious Beliefs  Polytheistic –Believed in many Gods  Gods, goddesses, & animals  Believed they could call on the gods for health, wealth & victory in war.  Meditation & yoga  A way to achieve direct contact with the divine

Literature  Sanskrit – language priests used to write sacred texts  Maintained oral tradition through the memorization of vedas & epic poems.  Mahabharata –Warfare & religion  Ramayana –Teaches values & behavior