India’s First Civilizations

The Land of India India- a subcontinent because it is separated from the rest of Asia by the Himalayas (highest mountains in the world) Indian subcontinent holds 6 nations: India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka India has 2 fertile river valleys created by the Ganges River and Indus River Monsoon = a strong wind that blows one direction in winter and the opposite direction in summer Brings rain in summer

Harrapa and Mohenjo-Daro – large, well-planned cities Early civilizations arose near the Indus River after the river flooded and left fertile soil behind This civilization started about 3000 B.C.- 1500 B.C. Harrapa and Mohenjo-Daro – large, well-planned cities Called the Harrapan or Indus civilization Had wells, drains for wastewater, garbage chutes, organized governments Houses made from baked mud bricks

Most people were farmers Grew wheat, barley, peas, cotton City dwellers were artisans Made jewelry, pottery, tools, cloth Harrapans traded their goods with people from other lands

The Aryans Came from central Asia where they raised and herded cattle Historians believe they were part of a larger group referred to as Indo-Europeans Expert warriors and hunters Had metal-tipped spears and wooden chariots Aryan civilization expanded into all of the Indian subcontinent except the southern tip of India

The Aryans became farmers but continued to raise cattle Cattle provided meat, milk, butter Cattle were so important, that the Aryans eventually declared them sacred Aryan technology improved farming in India by inventing an iron plow and building canals Sanskrit = Aryan written language Aryan tribes led by a raja- prince

Society in Ancient India Caste = a social group that someone is born into and cannot leave Aryans believed in four classes, or varnas Top two varnas were Brahmins (priests), and Kshatriyas (warriors) who ran the government and army Next class- Vaisyas (common people like merchants and farmers) Below them- Sudras (unskilled laborers, servants) Lowest level doesn’t belong to any varna- Pariahs (Untouchables)- did work others didn’t want to do

Men had more rights than women Only sons could inherit property Only men allowed to go to school or become priests A boy from a top varna was often taught by a guru (teacher) Husband could marry a 2nd wife if 1st wife couldn’t have children Suttee- the practice of a wife leaping into the flames as her husband is being cremated (burned) Parents arranged marriages Divorce not allowed - end -