Early Civilizations in India Ch.3 Sec.1

Geography of India Himalayas – Border India to the north Highest mountain peaks in the world Ganges & Indus Rivers – Created two major valleys each with a major river running through it Monsoons – Refers to seasonal wind patterns in this part of the world For months on end each year, heavy rain and winds hit India

Early Civilizations of India Harappan & Mohenjo Daro - Large city-states found along the Indus River Cities housed over 35,000 people Shows careful planning by original peoples Had public wells, bathroom systems w/ plumbing, home garbage disposals Were a theocracies Based economy on farming Traded regularly with Sumerians, Egyptians Reasons for decline are a mystery

Arrival of the Aryans Aryans – Were Indo-Europeans Decided to migrate to N. India Were a warrior-culture peoples Settled down and took over all the native tribes Sanskrit – Written language used by the Aryans Probably adopted from the native peoples Recorded mostly legends and religious rules and ceremonies

Arrival of the Aryans Vedas – Collection of early sanskrit writings Reveals daily life and history of ancient India

Daily Life in Ancient India Male Life in India – Were only ones educated Were only ones who could own or inherit property Could only hold religious positions Polygamy was accepted for child-bearing reasons Female Life in India – Given away in arranged marriages Took care of the home, had to bear many children

Daily Life in Ancient India Suttee – Practice of wife dying along with her husband Would throw herself onto her husband’s funeral pyre and be burned Women who refused were held in disgrace and shunned from society

Suttee