1. Intro to Ancient India Part 1 Notes

2. I. Geography of India 1. Part of Asia 2. Subcontinent of India: a large landmass that juts out from a continent 3. Himalayan Mts., contains the highest mt in the world, Mt. Everest. The Himalayas and Hindu Kush mountains creates a natural barrier between India & the rest of Asia 4. The subcontinent includes: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

3. 5. Rivers: Ganges & Indus Rivers., important for farming. Rivers are sacred, especially the Ganges. 6. Monsoons: 2 types, winter & summer. Winter-brings cold, dry air. Summer-brings warm, wet air which brings heavy rains. If rains come late, drought & starvation will follow. 7. Have major earthquakes

4. II. First Indian Civilization The Indus civilization left behind no written record, only from their remains can archeologist & anthropologist figure out their way of life 1. First civilizations began in the Indus River Valley around 3000 b.c. and lasted until 1500 b.c. 2. The fertile land around the river allowed farming which will lead to villages & then to cities 3. This civilization was called the Harappan or Indus civilization 4. The cities in this river valley were large 5. Had guard towers for protection

5. 6. Buildings were made from mud bricks 7. Had organized city gov’t: had streets, sewage system, indoor plumbing & even garbage chutes 8. Were farmers; grew wheat, barley, dates & cotton. 9. Traded with others by using the Arabian Sea coastline then sailing up the Persian Gulf. Known to have contacted Sumer. 10. Were polytheistic, known to worship animals as well.

6. What happened to the Harappans? Theories: 1. Deforestation 2. Volcano eruption: tons of river mud have been found in Mohenjo-Daro, suggesting that an eruption blocked the Indus, flooding the city. 3. Possibly a devastating earthquake 4. Scholars believe the final blow fell about 1500 B.C. when a nomadic group, the Aryans, arrived. The Aryans soon conquered & overran the cities.