1. Ancient India and China
Section 1: Early Civilizations of India and Pakistan
Witness History Audio: Forgotten Civilization Discovered
Geography of the Indian Subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent juts out from southern Asia into the Indian Ocean and is protected by the Hindu Kush and Himalayas in the north. It is divided into three regions: the fertile Gangetic Plain, the dry Deccan plateau, and the coastal plains that hug the Deccan. Monsoons bring rain or hot, dry air depending upon the season.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What is Sir John Marshall on the threshold of discovering?” (The remains of an ancient civilization in the plains of the Indus) “How do you think he feels about this discovery? Why?” (Answers will vary.)
When showing color Transparency 13, point out that it was not just the Aryans who migrated, and that the migrations ended in other places besides India.
Geography Interactive: Indus Civilization
Note Taking Transparency 57
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2. Ancient India and China
Section 1: Early Civilizations of India and Pakistan
Indus Civilization Rises and Falls
The first civilization in the region emerged about 2600 B.C. in the Indus River valley. Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro may have been twin capitals. Indus cities were sophisticated enough to have plumbing systems.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What is Sir John Marshall on the threshold of discovering?” (The remains of an ancient civilization in the plains of the Indus) “How do you think he feels about this discovery? Why?” (Answers will vary.)
When showing color Transparency 13, point out that it was not just the Aryans who migrated, and that the migrations ended in other places besides India.
Aryan Civilization Develops During the Vedic Age
The Aryans arrived in India by 1500 B.C. The collection of writings called the Vedas provide most of what we know about them. They created a hierarchical society based on occupation. Priests were at the top and farmers and other laborers at the bottom.
Color Transparency 13: Indo-Europeans Migrations
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3. Ancient India and China
Section 1: Early Civilizations of India and Pakistan
Epic Literature Tells About Aryan Life
Sanskrit became the language of not only sacred texts, but literary works. Epic poems, such as the Mahabharata, were popular. They evolved over thousands of years, with new morals being added to the tales over time.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What is Sir John Marshall on the threshold of discovering?” (The remains of an ancient civilization in the plains of the Indus) “How do you think he feels about this discovery? Why?” (Answers will vary.)
When showing color Transparency 13, point out that it was not just the Aryans who migrated, and that the migrations ended in other places besides India.
QuickTake Section Quiz
Progress Monitoring Transparency
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4. Ancient India and China: Section 1
Note Taking Transparency 57
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5. Ancient India and China: Section 1
Color Transparency 13: Indo-European Migrations
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6. Ancient India and China: Section 1
Progress Monitoring Transparency
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