Five Minute Writing Assignment

• Using the map:• How do you think

geography benefitted India’s early civilizations?

Still Unit 2: “River Valley Civilizations”The Indus

River Valley

Political• Identically planned cities and construction

suggests :• a strong unified government : Central control• evidence of a religious – oligarchy (Theocracy)

Economic• Evidence of trade over

long distances• evidence of common

currency and seals• Artifacts found show

that Mesopotamia and Indus Valley traded for about 350 years

Religious• Artifacts show

links to modern Hindu Culture–Shiva- is a

major Hindu god

• Worshipped Cows

What is a Citadel?• Citadel Mound: consists of

several large buildings and structures

• The structure and organization suggest that this area may have been used for public gatherings, religious activities or important political/administrative activities.

The Citadel mound at Mohenjo-daroStupa - A dome-shaped structure built as a center of citadel

Social• Civilization was

generally stable and uniform

• Same kinds of houses suggests little social differences

• Toys were found for children – this shows prosperity since they can make things they do not NEED to survive

• Social classes and structure was based on occupation:

• Example: • Priests – Brahmins class

Intellectual• Solved the problem of plumbing• Built extensive plumbing systems

–Private bath and toilet for every house–Toilets made of brick with wooden

seats–Pipes connected underground sewer

system

Achievements• Sophisticated city planning – very

detailed and organized–Used a grid system

• Citadel – a fortified area surrounded by a wall that protected the major buildings in the city–Public buildings, bath, granaries and

religious quarters

Harappa

Mohenjo Daro

Geography• Wall of Mountains- separated India from the rest of Asia

– Hindu Kush ( mountain range that stretches between central Afghanistan and northern Pakistan.)

– Himalaya (mountain range that stretches the north east border of India)

• This created an Indian Sub-Continent• Monsoons – trade winds that brought rain in the

summer and dry wind in the winter• Major Rivers-

– Indus– Ganges

Collapse of Harappan Civilization

• By 1500 BCE, the Harappan civilization had disappeared

• Still much to figure out---have not yet fully deciphered pictogram writings

• Possible causes for disappearance?– Floods?– Invaders?