1 The Indus River Valley Chapter 3 Sections 1 and 2

2 Geography See map on p. 53 Indian subcontinent –Separated from Asia by the Himalayas –Khyber Pass Allowed passage into India 2 major rivers: –Ganges and the Indus rivers

3 Climate 2 key factors: –Monsoons- the southwest monsoon brings the annual rainy season Timing is crucial If the rain comes too late, the crops in the Indus river valley will fail –High temperatures- summers can reach 120 degrees

4 Early Indus Valley Civilizations 2500 B.C B.C. –Harappan Civilization 2 major cities: –Harappa and Mohenjo Daro Large carefully planned cities

5 The Harappans Achievements –Water system Public baths –Some private baths Brick sewers Garbage chutes Food storehouses –Citadel- strong central fortress What does the citadel and food storehouse say about the Harappans? –Read “A Historian’s View” p. 54

6 Farming and Trade Irrigated fields –Cotton, wheat, barley, and rice Surplus crops for storage and trade –Raised cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats Trade –Traded with Tigris- Euphrates civilizations

7 Writings and Religion Pictographs –Unable to be deciphered No temples or shrines –Evidence suggests a mother goddess symbolized fertility

8 Disappearance Still a mystery Read final paragraph on page 55

9 Vedic Age 1750 B.C. –Indo-Aryans arrived in northwestern India Nomads from north of the Black and Caspian Seas Skilled warriors –Conquered all of northern India

10 Vedic Age Vedas –Indo-Aryan religious literature –Recorded in Sanskrit, the Indo-Aryan language Vedic Age –1500 B.C B.C.

11 Indo-Aryan Religion Polytheistic –Most gods drawn from nature Earth, fire, sun..etc. –Religious rituals became very complex Brahmins –Special priests who knew the proper forms and rules –What can we infer about the importance of the Brahmins?

12 Indo-Aryan Society Created villages –Settlements joined to form independent states Usually lived in peace with neighboring states, but did go to war occasionally Raja –Governor of the state assisted by a royal council –Acted as military leader, lawmaker, and judge

13 Indo-Aryan Society Marriage –Very important –Usually arranged by parents Also by purchase, capture, and love Classes –Upper: Governors, warriors, and priests –Lower: Merchants, traders, farmers, and servants

14 Southern India Very different pattern of development –Isolation due to Vindhya Range –Remained diverse and divided groups for centuries –Through coastal ports, southern Indians eventually made contact with other groups in Southeast Asia

15 Homework Section 2 Review –#1-2 –#4b –#5