Chapter 5: Eastern River Valleys Section 1: The Indus River Valley

Indus River Valley

The Indus River flows through Pakistan and India. The Harappans settled here around 2500 BC. They built dams to control the Indus river. They grew barley, wheat, peas, melons, and cotton. Grew cotton hundreds of years before anyone else.

Cities They built their cities on mounds to protect from flooding. Used mud from the river to make bricks, dried them in the sun, and then fired them in a kiln. This made very strong bricks.

Cities of the Indus Valley: Indus Cities

Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro Two major cities, 400 miles apart, twin capitals Oldest examples of planned communities Streets crossed at perfect right angles Planned on a grid

Each building had its own well, bathroom and drains. Very good sanitation system Protected the health of the Harappans

Each city had a citadel or fortress on a mound at least 40 feet high. Mohenjo-Daro had a watertight tank called “The Great Bath”. Huge granaries stood next to the Great Bath.

Decline of the Harappans No one is sure why they died out Some believe they depleted their soil. Others say they cut down all of their trees to fuel their ovens. Another group believes invaders took over. 1700 BC- decline begins 1200 BC- Aryans take over

A Lost Civilization No one can read Harappan writing. No tombs have been found. Only info comes from the ruins of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. Tiny seals, made of soap stone were found. The seals show animals and suggest the area may have been a jungle at one time.