Essential Question #8

How did physical location lead to the development and success of the Indus River Valley civilization?

Ancient India

Physical Geography Subcontinent – large landmass that is smaller

than a continent Mountains

– Himalayas– Hindu Kush– Eastern and Western Ghats

Rivers– Indus– Ganges– Brahmaputra

Thar Desert Deccan Plateau

Climate

Mostly hot and humid Monsoon – large wind that often brings

lots of rain– Can rain as much as 100 – 200 inches– Causes flooding which deposits silt

First Peoples of India Harappans

– Two large, well-planned cities, Harappa and Mohenjo Daro

– Mud brick houses with indoor plumbing– Developed a system of weights and measures– Civilization disappeared around 1700 BC

Aryans– Took power after the Harrapans– Skilled warriors led by rajas– Sanskrit – ancient Indian language– Created Hinduism

Aryan Society

Divided into groups based on occupation Strict rules governed how groups could

interact Four main varnas or social classes

– Brahmins- priests– Kshariyas- rulers and warriors– Vaisyas- farmers, craftspeople, traders– Sudras- laborers and non-Aryans

Interaction between the varnas became stricter over time leading to the caste system

The Caste System

Divided Indian society into groups based on a person’s birth, wealth, or occupation

The caste to which a person belonged determined his or her place in society.

Each caste could only associate with members of their caste. EX: could not marry someone of another caste or even eat with someone of another caste

Socializing with another caste resulted in a person becoming untouchable