Indus Valley Harappa Mohenjo-Daro Harappans Indus Valley Harappa Mohenjo-Daro

Geography

Geographical Features Subcontinent—large landmass smaller than a continent Himalayas—large mountain range to the north Indus River (now in Pakistan) Ganges River Monsoons—seasonal wind patterns that bring up to 200 inches of rain!

Indus Valley The Harappan culture existed along the Indus River in what is present day Pakistan. It was named after the city of Harappa. Harappa and the city of Mohenjo-Daro were important centers of the Indus valley civilization. This Indus Valley “civilization” flourished around 4000-1000 B.C.

Old World Civilizations

Comparative Timeline

Middle Harappan-Integration Era 2600-1900 BC By 2500 BCE, communities had been turned into urban centers (integration). Six such urban centers have been discovered, including: Harappa, Mohenjo Daro and Dicki in Pakistan, along with Gonorreala, Dokalingam and Mangalore in India. Irrigation used to increase crop production and mud brick structures.

Natural Resources The Indus Valley contained numerous natural resources that were an important part of Harappan civilization. Resources included: Fresh water and timber. Materials such as gold, silver, semi-precious stones. Marine resources.

Himalayan Mountains These mountain ranges also provided important timber, animal products, and minerals, gold, silver, tin and semiprecious stones that were traded throughout the Indus Valley. They also provided protection from invaders.

Major Cities: Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa The cities are well known for their impressive, organized and regular layout. They have well laid our plumbing and drainage system, including indoor toilets. Over one thousand other towns and villages also existed in this region.

Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa

Cities The similarities in plan and construction between Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa indicate that they were part of a unified government with extreme organization. Both cities were constructed of the same type and shape of bricks. The two cities may have existed simultaneously and their sizes suggest that they served as capitals of their provinces. In contrast to other civilizations, burials found from these cities are not elaborate; they are more simplistic and contain few material goods. Remains of palaces or temples in the cities have not been found. No hard evidence exists indicating military activity, though the cities did contain fortifications and artifacts such as copper and bronze knives, spears, and arrowheads were recovered.

Mohenjo-Daro This shows the high western mound made up of a massive mud brick platform and brick houses of the Harappan period ( 2600 to 1900 B. C.). On top of the Harappan structures is a Buddhist period stupa made of mud brick that dates to the first century A.D.

Great Bath

Streets At Mohenjo-Daro narrow streets and alleyways are off of the major streets, leading into more private neighborhoods. Many of the brick houses were two stories high, with thick walls and high ceilings to keep the rooms cool in the hot summer months.

Wells Private wells were rebuilt over many generations for large households and neighborhoods. This well in DK G area at Mohenjo-daro stands like a chimney because all of the surrounding earth has been removed by excavation.

The origins of Indus writing The origins of Indus writing can now be traced to (c. 3300-2800 BC) at Harappa. Some inscriptions were made on the bottom of the pottery.

Ancient Indus

Economy Cubical weights in graduated sizes. These weights conform to the standard Harappan binary weight system that was used in all of the settlements. The smallest weight in this series is 0.856 grams and the most common weight is approximately 13.7 grams, which is in the 16th ratio. These weights were found in recent excavations at Harappa and may have been used for controlling trade and possibly for collecting taxes.

Aryan Invasion

Aryan Invasion Skilled warriors from Central Asia Religious writings called Vedas Lived in small communities without real leaders Sanskrit—most important language of ancient India Introduced horses Caste system—divided Indian society into groups based on person’s birth, wealth, or occupation (3,000 levels at one time) Cannot leave your caste!

Who is: The mouth? The arms? The legs? The feet? Brahmins Kshatriyas WHO IS… Vaishyas Shudras

Sanskrit Writing

Hinduism Hinduism—largest religion in India today Polytheism—thousands of gods Brahma the Creator Siva the Destroyer Vishnu the Preserver Brahman—univeral spirit Reincarnation—process of rebirth Karma—the effects that good or bad action have on a person’s soul

Shiva

Jainism Based on Teachings of Mahavira-- Believed all life is valuable Women wear masks to avoid accidentally breathing in an insect.

Indian Empires Candragupta Maurya gained control of upper India around 320 BC Founded Mauryan Empire Complex government Became a Jainist monk and gave rule to his son Asoka (grandson) became king in 270 BC Conquered most of India Converted to Buddhism Sent Buddhist missionaries around Asia Empire fell apart when he died

Gupta Empire Candra Gupta I (not related) 320 AD Hinduism became the major religion Candra Gupta II introduced the caste system Huns invaded from the northwest Gupta Empire gave up and India divided into small kingdoms again

Indian Achievements Buddhist temples Some were built in the side of mountains Ajanta

Achievements con’t Stupas—temples with domed roofs

Achievements Two religious epics—the Mahabharata and the Ramayana Mahabharata—story of struggle between two families for control of kingdom Contains the Bhagavad Gita (Hindu beliefs) Ramayana—prince named Rama who was the god Vishnu in human form He was to rid the world of demons and rescue his wife—ideal relationship

Metallurgy Alloys Hindu-Arabic numbers (we use them today) Zero Inoculation—protect against disease Surgery Astronomy