Indus Valley Civilization (Ancient India) 3000 BC-1500 BC

Why do we know so little about the Indus Valley Civilization? *The Indus Valley people wrote very little and what they did write, we don’t know what it says. *Primary sources – remains from Harappa and Monhenjo-Daro (streets, homes, pottery, granary, well, pool) What provides us with any information about the Indus Valley Civilization?

The Indus Valley Civilization was located in the western part of South Asia. Similar to Ancient China, the people settled around a river. The Indus River provided fertile land for this civilization. *Questions #1 & #2 *South Asia includes what is now Pakistan, northwest and western India, eastern Afghanistan, and Southwest Iran.

What do we know about the Indus Civilization? Today, we know very little about the Indus Valley Civilization. What we do know has been revealed by archeologist. These archeologists began their study by finding the remains of 2 major cities: Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. Remains of Harappa were found in 1927. Four hundred miles away the city of Mohenjo-Daro was found. *Questions #3 & #4 *The Indus Valley civilization is sometimes called the Harappan civilization due to the discovery of the city of Harappa. *Mohenjo-Daro – Pronounced Mo-hen-jo Daro

What Can We Learn From Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro? These 2 cities, as well as others that have been found since, tell us that the people of the Indus Valley built huge, planned cities, with straight streets, and brick homes with private baths! *These 2 cities were extremely sophisticated. *Houses were 1 to 2 stories high made of baked mud brick with flat rooftops and were just about identical. Each was built around a courtyard with windows overlooking the courtyard. The outside walls had no windows. Each home had its own private drinking well and its own private bathroom.

*Arial view of Monhenjo-Daro

*Question #5 *A main street in Monhenjo-Daro

*Question #5 *Well in Monhenjo-Daro

*Question #5 *Granary (place where grain and extra crops were kept) – Each town had a large, central storage area for grain. Crops were grown, and the harvest was stored centrally for all the town to enjoy.

*Question #5 *In the ancient city of Monhenjo-Daro, archeologists have found the remains of a large central pool with steps leading down at both ends. Some believe this may have been the 1st water tank. Others think this could have been a public swimming pool or perhaps used for religious ceremonies.

Pottery This ancient civilization must have had marvelous craftsmen, skilled in pottery, weaving, and metal working. The pottery that has been found is of very high quality, with unusually beautiful designs. Several small figures of animals have been found. These small figures could be objects of art or toys.  *Question #6

Language Archeologists have found no wall carvings or tomb paintings. We do know they had a written language, but only a few sentences on pottery have been found. We don’t know what it says. *Question #7

3-2-1 3 things you learned 2 things you thought were interesting 1 question you still have

Indus Valley Civilization Timeline Directions Correct Timeline Format Date Event Description Picture Size Colored (No Marker; No Pencil) Neatness Spelling & Grammar Rubric Correct Timeline Format – 5 pts. Dates – 22.5 (2.5 pts./date) Event Description – 22.5 (2.5 pts./event) Picture – 22.5 (2.5 pts./picture) Size – 5 pts. Colored – 9 pts. (1 pt./picture) Neatness – 10 pts. Spelling/Grammar – 3 pts. (3 mistakes or more)

When those categories were changed, what did the Aryans create? What 2 categories did the Aryans change in the Indus Valley? When those categories were changed, what did the Aryans create? *Culture & Religion *Caste System (Culture) & Hinduism (Religion)

Religion Based on the written language of the Indus people, as well as the sculptures, archeologists believe that they worshipped the god Shiva and cattle. *Question #8

Religious Implications Although there are many questions about the religion of the Indus people, some archeologists believe that early elements of Hinduism are present in the area. With the migration of new people into the Indus River area, one of the world’s oldest religions is formed.

Aryans Invade the Indus Valley The Aryans were a group of nomadic people from western Asia that moved into the Indus Valley in 1700 BC. Archeology tells us almost nothing about the Aryans. Based on their sacred text (the Vedas), we are able to learn about the principles of the religion that formed in the Indus Valley. *Questions #9 & #10

Brahman Hinduism Hinduism originated and is largely practiced in the country of India. Hindus believe in 3 major gods, as well as other minor gods. *Questions #11 & #12 *Brahman – the creator; Shiva – the destroyer; Vishnu – the preserver *Hinduism is the 3rd largest religion in the world (behind Christianity and Islam) *Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. Vishnu Shiva

Vedas Sacred text brought to the area by the Aryans. The Vedas are the supreme scripture of Hinduism. The Vedas are written in Sanskrit (the primary language of Hinduism). They contain: religious prayers magical spells lists of the gods and goddesses *Question #13

Reincarnation & Karma The core belief of Hinduism is to pursue truth and do “what is right”. They also believe that the soul is neither created or destroyed. Therefore, Hindus believe that the soul is reincarnated (born again in another form) based on a person’s karma (actions of a previous life). *Question #14

The Aryan Caste System & Hinduism When the Aryans arrived in the Indus Valley, they were divided into classes of people. Over time, strict rules were put in place as to how these caste, or classes, could interact with each other. Originally, a person’s caste was determined by his or her skin color. The Aryans, who were light-skinned, made up the higher classes. The original people of the Indus Valley made up the lowest caste. With the idea of reincarnation and karma, the caste system became a major part of Hinduism and affected India for many years. *Questions #15 & #16

What is a caste system? A caste system is a social structure that is completely based on heredity. *Question #17

Caste System (Social Structure) Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaishyas *Question #18 *Brahmins – priests; Kshatriyas – warriors and nobles; Vaisyas – traders/merchants and farmers; Sudras – common laborers; Untouchables – outcastes *Pronounced: Kshatriyas - K-sha-triya; Vaishyas – Vi-shus Shudras Untouchables

Sentence Synthesis Use two of the following words in one sentence: Aryan Hinduism caste system Vedas polytheistic Brahman Vishnu Shiva reincarnation karma *Your sentence must show meaning!

People who move from place to place nomad Definition: Category: Cultural People who move from place to place Examples: Aryans

Sacred text of Hinduism Vedas Definition: Category: Religion Sacred text of Hinduism Examples: Hinduism

polytheistic Religion Hinduism Definition: Category: Religion The belief in many gods Examples: Hinduism

Social structure based on heredity caste system Definition: Category: Cultural Social structure based on heredity Examples: India

Caste System Pyramid Directions Correct Pyramid Format (in correct order) Identify Caste on Pyramid Picture for Each Caste Size Colored (No Marker; No Pencil) Neatness Spelling & Grammar Rubric Correct Pyramid Format – 17 pts. Identify Caste – 30 pts. (6 pts./caste) Picture – 30 (6 pts./picture) Size – 5 pts. Colored – 5 pts. (1 pt./picture) Neatness – 10 pts. Spelling/Grammar – 3 pts. (3 mistakes or more)

Pattern Puzzles You will be given an index card. Read the index card and decide which frisbee it should be placed in. Place your index card in the correct frisbee.