Chapter 19 History of Ancient India Section 1 Pages 472-476

Main Idea Located on the Indus River, the Harappan civilization also had contact with people far from India. Harappan achievements included a writing system, city planning, and art. The Aryan migration changed India’s civilization.

The BIG Idea Indian civilization developed on the Indus River.

Harappan Civilization Archaeologists working in India in the 1920’s found two huge cities along the Indus River.

India’s First Civilization Historians call the civilization that developed along the Indus and Sarasvati River sthe Harappan civilization. Archaeologists currently estimate that the civilization thrived between 2300 & 1700 BC The largest settlements were two cities, Harappa and Mohenjo Daro. They were dependent on agriculture. They used irrigation canals to bring water from the Indus to their fields.

Contact with Other Cultures Harappans had contact with people as far away as southern India and Mesopotamia. Most of this contact with other cultures was in the form of trade. They made pottery, stamps and seals, and statues.

Harppan Achievements Historians do not know much about the Harappan civilization. Historians know little about their religion. However, we do know they made great achievements in many fields.

Writing System They developed India’s first writing system. However, scholars have not yet learned to read this language. Archaeologists have found many examples of Harappan writing, but none of them is more than a few words long. Instead, we rely on other clues to study Harappan society.

City Planning Both Harappa and Mohenjo Daro were well-planned cities. Harappans were careful planners and skilled engineers. Each city was built with defense in mind. Harappans built extensive sewer systems to keep their streets from flooding. They also installed plumbing in many buildings.

Artistic Achievement Archaeologists have found sturdy pottery vessels, jewelry and ivory objects suggesting the Harappans were skilled artisans. Harappans built and used wheeled vehicles. Harappans society had an upper class. Harappan civilization ended by the early 1700s BC, but no one is sure why. Possible reasons: earthquake or floods.