Indus Valley Civilization 2500 B.C.

Indus River Flooding from the Indus provided food All major cities were located on the Indus River

Monsoons Starting in June it is not uncommon for 60 days of rain Rainfall could lead to disastrous flooding

Politics and Society Housing was similar between the rich and the poor Cities led by Priest-Kings Laid the roots for the caste system

Economy based on Trade Artifacts from Mesopotamia have been found in Indus valley ruins, and vice versa

Religion Hinduism Polytheistic – holy trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) The Vedas – holy scripture Sacred place – Hindus make a pilgrimage to India’s Ganges River

Reincarnation Belief that we are stuck in a cycle of rebirth

Politics and Society Housing was similar between the rich and the poor Cities led by Priest-Kings Laid the roots for the caste system

Intellectual Cities roads formed a grid Center of the city was a well defended citadel Cities protected by walls Cities had commercial and residential districts

Intellectual cont. Homes had private showers and toilettes Public bath houses in most cities Best city sewage since 1800

Arts Few weapons found Many leisure items such as toys were found

Mysterious End Indus valley cities began to disappear around 1750 B.C. No one is certain why Bodies left in cities unburied

Geography South Asia Modern India Indus River Partially Protected