10/9/2015 Do you think cultural advances are a good way to measure the historical significance of a nation? Why or why not? Make a list of 10 achievements for which you think the US will be remembered in the future from your lifetime.

Indus River Valley Civilization

Physical Geography 4500 years ago – First Indian Civilization in northwest India India is separated in the North - mountains (Himalayas) South - Indian Ocean Khyber Pass – main access to India

The Climate Monsoon: Why is the timing of the monsoons important? Winds that mark the seasons From November until March - monsoons blow from the north From June to October - Wet Season (southwest monsoons), when winds carry water from the Indian Ocean Why is the timing of the monsoons important? Too little rain = bad crops, Too much rain = bad crops Temperatures can reach 120°

Harappan Civilization 2500 B.C. to 1500 B.C. Main cities were Harappa and Mohenjo Daro Large and carefully planned Had water systems with public baths and sewers Two story brick homes with indoor plumbing and garbage chutes Had big citadels or castles to protect them Had storehouses with food for 35,000 people Gives evidence of strong central government

Why did they disappear? We aren’t 100% sure why they disappeared Some theories are: Floods shifted farmlands and forced people to leave Possible violence from invading forces Major earthquake striking the area in 1700 B.C. Unburied skeletons, people fleeing, abandoned homes

Indo-Aryan Migrants

The People Indo-Aryans: In 1750 B.C. nomadic people came from the north Sheep and cattle herders as well as skilled warriors Drawn to India’s northern rich pasturelands Able to conquer northern India

Vedic Age = period of time in India 1500 B.C. to 1000 B.C. Vedas: Works of religious literature People memorized the Vedas and retold the stories

Indo-Aryan Religion Early gods were drawn from nature Believed in one supreme god Ceremonies were performed outside with special altars where fires were lit Foods (meat, butter, milk) were offered as sacrifices As time passed, things got more complicated Brahmins (Priests): called to lead religious activities

Early Indo-Aryan Society Still herders, but started to farm too The settlements joined together into states or territories Each governed by a raja: chief Raja acted as the military leader, lawmaker, and judge

Social Orders Indo-Aryans were light skinned Original inhabitants of India were dark skinned Developed a complex Caste System: way to organize a society Warriors and Priests were at the top Merchants, traders Farmers Servants

Marriage Very important to salvation!! Strict rules governed/limited marriage among the social orders – couldn’t go between Parents usually arranged marriages You could also purchase your spouse Sometimes people even fell in love (gasp!)

Indo-Aryan Economy They grew wheat, barley, rice, sugarcane, leafy vegetables, gourds, peas, beans, and lentil Traders bartered until about 500 B.C. when coins were introduced Eventually what the Indo-Aryan Migrants brought with them, became a way of life over much of India

Southern India Vindhya Mtn Range: separates the southern region of the continent from the rest People of the south Able to hold onto their distinct way of life They lived as farmers and hunter-gatherers Traded some BUT usually stayed to themselves