Geography and Early India The Big Idea Indian civilization first developed on the Indus River. Main Ideas The geography of India includes high mountains, great rivers, and heavy seasonal rain. Harappan civilization developed along the Indus River. The Aryan invasion of India changed the region’s civilization.

How did the geography of India influence the growth of civilization? Essential Question: How did the geography of India influence the growth of civilization?

I. Indian Geography Mountains North: The Himalayas are the highest mountains in the world. West: The Hindu Kush provide protection from enemies. Plains and Plateaus Rivers and melting snow kept the plains fertile. Both sides of the river thrived. Water Monsoons: Seasonal wind patterns that cause wet and dry seasons Heavy rainfall Civilizations arose around seasonal rainfall.

Subcontinent: A large landmass that is connected to the rest of the continent.

Indus River: A river that flows from Tibet, through the Himalayas and Hindu Kush into the Arabian Sea.

Like the Nile, the Indus branches into a delta before it reaches the sea.

The Indus river carries twice as much silt as the Nile River The Indus river carries twice as much silt as the Nile River. It branches into a delta before it reaches the sea.

Himalayas: The worlds highest mountain range, forming the northern border of the Indian subcontinent

The Indus River Flows Into Karachi Bay

Indus Plain: A vast dry region south of the Himalayas that is made fertile by deposits of silt from the Indus River; birthplace of the ancient Harappan civilization

The Indus flows south to the Arabian Sea on an 1,800 mile journey through mainly Pakistan.

The 4 T’s of Collaboration Team: Elbow partner Task: Label the map using terms #1-5 in your notes. Talk: Discuss with a classmate the best location for each of the terms. Time: 2 minutes

II. Harappan Civilization People Population grew in the Indus River Valley. Growth came as irrigation and farming techniques improved. Cities were built as surplus food was produced. Cities Harrapa Mohenjo Daro Fortresses for defense against enemies Well-planned public areas Achievements Wells and indoor plumbing Pottery, cotton clothing, jewelry India’s first known writing system

Farmers built irrigation canals to bring water from the river to their crops.

Farmers began planting crops in the rich soil of the Indus Valley around 6000 B.C. bananas wheat barley Chili peppers

pepper sesame mustard cotton rice pepper sesame mustard cotton

Wildlife in the valley also brought problems and threatened lives.

The modern city of Harappa today is built above the ancient city.

Brain Snack . . . .

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III. Aryan Invasion Invaders from the West When the Harappan civilization dissipated in 1700 BC, a group called the Aryans began taking over territory. The Aryans left behind vast collections of sacred texts, myths, and rituals. They also had mostly religious writings known as Vedas. Religion Government No central government: small communities ruled by rajas Sanskrit is the root of many modern South Asian languages. Language

As in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, the Indus River Valley Civilization developed along a river, and could not have survived without the crops grown by farmers.

Advanced civilization that thrived between 2300 and 1700 BC Harappan Civilization Two major cities: Harappa, Mohenjo Daro Advanced civilization that thrived between 2300 and 1700 BC Culture, artistry, city planning Aryan Invasion Aryan warriors pushed through the Hindu Kush mountains and settled in the Indus Valley. Oral tradition in religion and mythology resulted in the most important language of ancient India: Sanskrit.