1. All about the Indus River Valley

2. General Information River Civilizations
The 1st civilizations arose near rivers.
The people of the Indus Valley farmed along the Indus River.
Subcontinent – a large landmass that is set apart from the rest of the continent by a physical feature
Indian Subcontinent – separated from Asia by the Hindu Kush and the Himalayas ~ includes: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan
Record these notes after reading pg. 200
Point put that the Subcontinent is about 2,000 miles from the North to the South

3. Point out the countries that make up the subcontinent
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan

4. Point out the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush and that they separate the Indian Subcontinent from the rest of Asia

5. What physical feature was central to early civilizations?
Questions 1 and 2
What physical feature was central to early civilizations?
Which river formed the basis of India’s first civilization?

6. What countries make up the Indian Subcontinent?
Question 3
What countries make up the Indian Subcontinent?
Identify at least 4

7. Physical Features
Features on the landscape that were formed by natural processes. Ex. mountains, rivers, lakes
Have students record this information on the characteristics of civilized societies page see notebook for example
Have students write the underlined parts

8. Himalayas
The planet's tallest mountain range, including the highest, Mount Everest. Provides a natural border for India.
Have students record this information on the characteristics of civilized societies page see notebook for example
Have students write the underlined parts

9. Indus and Ganges Rivers
Two of the most important geographic features in India, providing water sources and creating fertile land.
Have students record this information on the characteristics of civilized societies page see notebook for example
Have students write the underlined parts

10. Question 4
What natural barriers separate the Indian subcontinent from the rest of Asia?

11. Question 5
The continental United States is about 2,400 miles wide. How does this length compare to the Indian subcontinent?

12. River Systems ~ Indus River part 1 envelope
Flows across the Northwestern part of the subcontinent
Snow and ice from the mountains melt and drain into the rivers, when the rivers flood it leaves behind silt
River water allowed for irrigation
Record in the envelope foldable after reading pg. 201

13. India’s 1st Civilization part 2 envelope
Civilization grew around the Indus Valley
Developed in an area that is DRY most of the year
Record in the envelope foldable after reading pg. 201

14. River Systems ~ Ganges River part 3 envelope
Flows across the Northern part of the subcontinent
Floods create a HUGE, fertile plain good for farming – this is the Ganges Plain
The rich Ganges Plain was the CENTER of another civilization
Record in the envelope foldable after reading pg. 201

15. Why were river floods a welcome event for early Indus Valley people?
Question 6
Why were river floods a welcome event for early Indus Valley people?

16. Question 7
What fertile plain is located in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent?

17. Climate part 4 envelope
Monsoons-seasonal wind patterns that cause wet and dry seasons
Much of India has a Tropical climate
Winter- dry blow from the land
Summer-wet blow from the ocean

18. What impact do monsoons have on agriculture in India?
Question 8
What impact do monsoons have on agriculture in India?

19. Discuss that the two major cities Harappa and Mohenjo Daro are part of the 1st Indus Valley Civilization
Point out that the River empties into the Arabian Sea

20. Beginning of Indus River Valley below envelope
The Indus River Valley Civilization started about 2500 B.C.E.
Along the south-western part of the Indus River.
The largest city was Mohenjo-Daro, in present day Pakistan.
Settlements stretched all along the river.
Record BELOW the foldable previously used

21. Impact of Geography 3 tab
NATURAL BORDERS
Borders made of land or water
Mountains- Himalayas, Hindu Kush
Water- Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean
Prevented invasion and disease
FARMING / IRRIGATION
Used the rivers and rain from the monsoons to wter crops
TRAVEL
Location to rivers allowed for easy travel and trade
Record on the three tab foldable

22. Timeline 7000 B.C began growing crops around Indus River System
With a steady food supply population grew
3000 B.C cities began to develop on the Indus Valley plain
2500 B.C cities were the center of civilization
1700 B.C civilization disappeared
1921 ruins were discovered for Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro
Record on timeline

23. When did cities begin to develop in the Indus Valley?
Question 9
When did cities begin to develop in the Indus Valley?

24. When did the Indus Valley civilization flourish?
Question 10
When did the Indus Valley civilization flourish?

25. Technology 3 tab Cities were well planned Houses Math
Wide straight streets built in a grid a pattern
Built thick walls around the city
Built huge raised mound of earth and brick-remained above water during floods
Houses
had bathrooms and toilets
Trash chutes in many houses led to a bin in the streets
Waste water flowed into brick-lined sewage channels-1st sewage system
Math
Advanced system of weights and measurement based on units of 10
Record after reading pg

26. Why do archaeologist say that Indus Valley cities were well planned?
Question 11
Why do archaeologist say that Indus Valley cities were well planned?

27. Farming 2 tab
Irrigation channels
the monsoons were not predictable
Irrigation channels and ditches brought water to the wheat and barley fields
Crops and animals
1st farmers to grow cotton for cloth
Raised cattle, sheep, goats, and chickens
Surplus crops were stored in a GRANARY~ a special building to hold grain
Record after reading pg

28. Trade ~The economy depended greatly on trade 3 tab
Items made and sold
Made jewelry from precious stones
Cotton cloth was woven and sold
Teak wood
Trade
Mesopotamia
Egypt
Advancement in technology led to carts and early boats that were used as the main method of trade and travel.
Record after reading pg
Seals and Weights
Traders used seals to identify their goods.
Seals were stamped on clay squares attached to their goods.
Accurate weights and measures increased trade.

29. What items were exported for trade?
Question 12
What items were exported for trade?

30. What advancements aided trade?
Question 13
What advancements aided trade?

31. Cities

32. Mohenjo-Daro 3 tab Design
Laid out in 12 blocks
Blocks measured 1260 feet north to south
750 feet east to west
A central block on the west was raised 20 to 40 feet above the other blocks
The raised block is believed to be the center for religion
Large buildings with verandas
Supersized granary
Two assembly halls
Houses had bathrooms and sanitation facilities
Record after reading pg

33. Government 3 tab
These items suggest that there was a STRONG central government:
Cities were well organized and show a high level of planning
Used a common system of weight and measurements
No royal statues or tombs makes is unlikely that a king ruled.
THERE IS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO DETERMINE THE TYPE OF GOVERNMENT THAT DID EXIST.
Record after reading pg

34. Religion 3 tab Little is known
No temples and no clear signs of priests
The statues that have been found resemble the Gods in the Hinduism
Many Indus Valley carvings look like people meditating – an important practice in Hinduism
rd after reading pg

35. Writing
We are still not sure how to
read the Seals that have
been found.

36. Social Structure- Caste System
Caste system with four main classes
Verna- a caste grouping
People were born into social classes that could not be changed. Brahmins (priests and the king) Kshatriyas (warriors and aristocrats - rulers) Vaishyas (cultivators, artisans, and merchants) Shudras (peasants and serfs)

37. Twice Born Men in the TOP 3 varnas were “twice born”
1st physical birth
2nd spiritual birth – this happened after the individual read the Vedas and mastered writing using Sanskirt

38. Dalits
a caste grouping that was added later for people they others Castes are untouchables
These pole completed the ‘dirty’ jobs: cleaning the toilets, butchering animals, etc

39. Buildings and Structures
All houses had access to water and were about the same size
Houses had one or two stories
Most buildings were made of dry bricks
No large monuments or structures
Individual buildings for bathing and using the restroom (had an early "sanitation" system)
Citadels were used for defense

40. Tools Weapons Technology
Used Bronze, Copper, Iron
Used Bronze to make
Large Irrigation System
Clay Used for Art and Tools
Not as advance as Mesopotamia
1st to create measurement and weighing equipment
Measuring system and tools for measurement
(1st and most accurrate)
Arrows were crafted
Swords were made
Most technology was used to help agriculture
Because of isolated geography there was no need for advanced weaponry.
Boats and carts were used to help with trade

41. Religion
 Hinduism B.C.E.
 Buddhism 365 B.C.E.

42. Gender Roles Men worked within their designated caste social class
Women were valued because of their ability to produce offspring and nurse
When children were old enough, they adopted their parents' role