Chapter 3 Ancient India Geography Generalizations & Supporting Evidence
The Indian Subcontinent is surrounded by geographic barriers. Himalaya Mts. Hindu Kush Mts. Arabian Sea Bay of Bengal Indian Ocean Eastern & Western Ghats
Despite barriers ancient India was not totally isolated. Indus River Khyber Pass Bolan Pass Ganges River
India Has Diverse Geography Divided into 3 Zones Fertile Gangetic Plains Dry Deccan Plateau Coastal Plains – Fertile Thar Desert Mountains Hindu Kush Himalayas Eastern & Western Ghats Rivers Indus Ganges Brahmaputra
Monsoons are important to people in India. Dependent on the monsoons for growing season 2x a year October Brings Hot Dry Air Dries out the land June From Southwest Brings Water off the Indian Ocean Crops growing season
Well-planned cities were characteristic of the Indus Valley Civilization. Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro Built on a grid pattern Wide & straight streets Strong buildings made of mud bricks Two story buildings Indoor plumbing Warehouses for storage of grain Walled citied for defense
The economy of the Indus Valley civilization was prosperous. Merchants had a uniform system of weights and balances Traded along the coast of the Arabian Sea & Persian Gulf Traded as far away as Sumer