Indus River Valley Civilizations Chapter 3 & 4

Physical Geography & Climate Extends south from central Asia to the Indian Ocean. Separated from the rest of Asia the Himalaya mountains. Made it difficult for immigrants & invaders to enter. Two rivers Indus Ganges Climate High temperatures Monsoons – heavy rain

Early Indus River Valley Civilizations Harappan Civilization 2 Ancient Cities Harappa Mohenjo Daro Both cities were carefully planned Had intersecting streets Had a water system Homes were made of brick, 2 stories high, and had indoor bathrooms. Each city had a strong central fortress called a citadel. Rich farmland – raised wheat, barley, and rice. Developed a written language made of pictographs Eventually disappeared – possibly due to floods, or other natural disaster.

Indo-Aryan Migrants Came across the Hindu Kush mountains into northwest India around 1750 B.C. Sheep & cattle herders Skilled warriors Most information about these people comes from the Vedas. Contained religious beliefs and stories that were passed down from generation to generation.

Indo-Aryan Religion Early gods mentioned in the Vedas were drawn from nature. Earth, fire, light, rain, sky, storms, sun, and water. Sky = the father; Earth = the mother Believe in many gods, but have one that is above all the rest. Ceremonies performed outdoors. Special priests called Brahmins knew the rules of the ceremonies and were very important in Indo-Aryan society.

Early Indo-Aryan Society Originally a nomadic group As they settled in villages they planted crops & herded animals so they did not need to move to find food. Settlements combined to form small, independent states. States were ruled by a raja – or chief. Raja was the military leader, lawmaker, and judge. Assisted by a royal council. Complex social order – class system. Marriage important – usually arranged by parents. Not allowed to marry outside the social order. Strongly believed in making sacrifices to the gods.

Indo-Aryan Economy Grew many crops Wheat, rice, barley, sugarcane, peas, beans, leafy vegetables. Traded these crops with surrounding villages, but could not trade with other civilizations because of poor transportation and limitations of their location.

Ancient Indian Dynasties & Empires

Mauryan Empire Established by Chandragupta Maurya at the end of the Magadha empire. Empire lasted almost 150 years Chandragupta built a palace on the Ganges River Raised an army of 600,000 soldiers. Expanded his territory by uniting out to the Hindu Kush mountains and the Ganges River.

Mauryan Empire The greatest emperor of the Mauryan Empire was Aśoka. Chandragupta’s grandson. Made the empire even bigger by using the army to conquer other people. Eventually included all of India except the very southern tip of the country. Later converted to Buddhism and sent missionaries to convert people to the Buddhist faith.

The Gupta Empire After the Asoka died and the Maurya Empire declined, a new family of rulers took over India. Chandra Gupta I was the founder of the Gupta Empire. DO NOT confuse him with Chandragupta Maurya – remember their names sound the same, but represent different people!!! Caused a decline in Buddhism and a rise in Hinduism. Early years of the Gupta dynasty is called the “golden age” of Indian civilization great achievements in the arts extreme prosperity for the people.

Ancient Indian Life and Culture

Economy & Society Economy Society Most people were extremely poor Very few people were in the highest social class Most people were farmers, except in southern India where people traded with foreign countries. Society Men held social power and standing. Women did not have the same rights as men. The law required girls to obey their fathers. Also must obey their husbands once they were married. If their husband died they obeyed their sons. Not allowed to own property. Were not allowed to study the Vedas.

Men were allowed to practice polygymy – having more than one wife. Widows practiced suttee – committing suicide by throwing themselves on top of the husband’s funeral pyre.

Cultural Achievements Arts & Architecture Mural painting in caves to tell stories. Sculpture of the Buddha showed the importance of religion. Built many stupas – dome-shaped shrines for Buddha. Education Children in the higher classes received a formal education Studied the Vedas, astronomy, math, warfare, and government. Children in the lower classes only received training for certain crafts or trades. Nalanda – famous Buddhist university.

Cultural Achievements Math Understood abstract & negative numbers Had a concept of zero & infinity Aryabhata – famous mathematician – first known user of algebra & quadratic equations. Medicine Indian doctors were very advanced. Understood the importance of the spinal cord. Had surgical procedures to mend broken bones. Performed types of plastic surgery. Earliest forms of vaccinations.