1. Ancient India

2. WHERE IS IT?

3. Old World Civilizations

4. Indus River Valley Civilizations Harappa & Mohenjo Daro

5. The Indus Valley civilization flourished around 2,500 B.C. in the western part of South Asia, in what today is Pakistan and western India. Its first discovered city was Harappa, But the nearby city of Mohenjo Daro is the largest in this region. The Indus Valley was home to the largest of the four ancient urban civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and China. This ancient civilization wasn’t discovered until the 1920's. Most of its ruins, including major cities, remain to be excavated. Left: The excavated ruins of Mohenjo Daro.

6. The Geography: Indian Subcontinent Northeast: Himalaya Mountains Northwest: Hindu Kush Mountains West: Arabian Sea Indus & Ganges River Plains Southern Deccan Plateau Extremely dry Bordered on East and West by mountains Separated from north by river, mountains The Monsoon Winds October - April: Dry Season May - September: Wet Season

7. 1.What challenges did people along the Indus River face? unpredictable rivers (similar to Mesopotamia) strong winds / monsoons PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

8. What were some of the Indus River civilization’s accomplishments? Water Wells Streets Trade Ornaments Grain Storage (surplus) Public Baths

9. Indus Harappan script has not been deciphered. Below: The citadel at Mohenjo Daro. 2.What conclusions have been drawn about Indus River cultures? Farming along Indus R. ~ 3,200 B.C.E. Cities laid out in grid pattern with a defensive fort. Engineered plumbing and sewage systems. Peaceful people – few weapons found. Housing patterns show equality among social classes. Religious symbols linked to Hinduism.

10. What happened to the Harappan civilization on the Indus River? Above: The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro. Surrounding pics: various Harappan artifacts.

11. Harappans abandoning their city. 3.What theories explain why the Indus Valley civilization ended around 1500 B.C.E? The river changed course or natural disaster like flooding (caused by heavy monsoons) The people overworked the land (overcutting trees, overgrazing, over-farmed land: depleting nutrients) Invaders, like the Aryans.

13. The Aryans 1. Nomads & cattle herders roaming Southwest Asia. 2. Vedas tell the story of the Aryans - collection of prayers, hymns, and religious teachings.

14. The Aryans 3. Fierce warriors a. Chariots b. Bows and arrows 4. Divided people by occupation a. Caste System

15. The Aryans 5. Religious Beliefs a. Polytheistic i. Sky, sun, storm, and fire ii. Indra – chief god of war b. Brahman i. A single spiritual power that resided in all things Symbol for Agni – god of fire

16. The Aryans 6. Advancements a. Sanskrit language i. Became basis for many languages of India b. Epic Literature i. Mahabharata : India’s greatest battle epic ii. Bhagavad-Gita: reflects religious belief of importance of duty