Indus & Shang Civilization

Land of India North – Highest mountain range – Himalayas South – Ganges River West – Indus River Valley Monsoons – Seasonal wind patterns

India’s First Civilization Location : Indus River Valley Flourished 3000-1500 BC. Over 1,000 settlements have been found in this area.

Ruins – Indus Civ. Harappa & Mohenjo- Daro major cities today They were advanced civilizations

Indus Civilization 35,000 people and each city was planned very carefully Cities had a grid of streets and were divided into walled neighborhoods Houses as high as 3 stories Public wells supplied water, sewage, etc. Chute system used for trash Well-organized government

The Ruling Class Rulers based their power on a belief in divine assistance Government based on religion

Arrival of the Aryans Aryan invaders ended the civilization of the Indus River valley by conquering the Harappans. Aryans – nomadic Indo-European people living in central Asia

New Society Aryans excelled at war and eventually defeated the Harappans These warriors eventually became farmers …..COTTON As Nomads, the Aryans had no written language

New Innovations 1000 BC – Sanskrit became their first written language The invention of the iron plow really advanced farming techniques Silk Road – Road that was heavily used for trade. (Silk was the most valuable)

Society in Ancient India Caste System Rigid Hierarchy made up of 5 classes 1. Brahmans (Priest) 2. Kshatriyas (Warriors) 3. Vaisyas (Commoner) 4. Sudras (Most of the Indian population) 5. Untouchables

Chinese Civilizations Rivers/Mountains Huang He (Yellow River) Yangtze River 10% of the land is suitable for farming

Shang Dynasty

Shang Dynasty 1750-1122 BC Aristocracy – Upper class whose wealth is based on land and whose power is passed on from one generation to another Shang king ruled from Anyang Best remembered for Bronze casting

Deeply Religious Belief in Supernatural forces led to the reading of Oracle Bones Life after death (Good and Bad spirits) Strong belief in preserving ancestors heritage

Zhou Dynasty Zhou revolted against the Shang (1045-256 BC) Mandate of Heaven Confucianism begins in the Zhou dynasty

Mandate of Heaven Zhou King kept rule because Heaven gave him power to. Foundation of ALL Chinese government even Communism today. 18