Chapter 3 Ancient India & China Section 1 Early Civilizations of India and pakistan

Geography of Indian Subcontinent Indus Valley Civilization located on the Indian subcontinent Northern border > Hindu Kush & Himalayan mountain ranges Mts. isolated India > not completely though > invaders found gateways through the mts. Subcontinent divided into 3 zones Gangetic Plain in the north Fertile region due to major rivers Deccan Region > mostly a plateau Arid, agriculturally unproductive, & sparsely populated Coastal Plains Farming, fishing, & trading present here Defining feature of subcontinent > monsoons > seasonal winds that bring rain No rain > drought > famine Too much rain > flooding

Indus Civilization 2600 B.C. > Indus River Valley Civilization emerges Large civilization but little is known Had well planned cities & government Two major cities > Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro Most people were farmers Grew a variety of crops Religion > polytheistic Also believed certain animals were sacred > influenced Indian belief in the veneration of animals Decline > not sure what happened > Invaders? Flood? Earthquake?

Aryan Civilization (Vedic Age) Aryans were a nomadic people that migrated to the Indian subcontinent in 2000 B.C. They left little evidence Most of what we know comes from the Vedas Collection of hymns, ritual instructions, and other teachings Appeared to be warriors then later became settled farmers Learned to make iron tools and weapons Aryan tribes > chief > called rajah Most skilled war leader Fought other neighboring tribes to control trade & territory Society ranked by occupation > Highest were priests or Brahmins > Lowest were Sudras Religion > polytheistic > chief deity (god) > Indra (God of War) Had animal deities as well Religion will change > belief in a single spiritual power > Brahman Some moved toward mysticism > direct communion with divine forces

Epic Literature http://wps.pearsoncustom.com/wps/media/objects/2427/2486120/chap_assets/documents/doc3_7.html Aryans and Dravidians mix > acculturation > Sanskrit is the written language Strong oral tradition > seen in two epic poems > Mahabharata & Ramayana