1. Early Civilizations in India
2500 BC – 256 BC
Ch3 Sect 1

2. Geography of Indian Subcontinent
Subcontinent- large landmass that juts out from a continent
3 of world’s 10 most populous countries- India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh

3. Northern Plain
Fertile region due to Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra Rivers
Carry melting snow from mountains to the plains making agriculture possible
Rivers are sacred to Indian people
Mountains caused Indian people and culture to remain isolated
Himalaya Mountains

5. Deccan Triangular plateau- raised level of land
Most of area is arid, unproductive, and sparsely populated

6. Coastal Plains
Small rivers and seasonal rains provide area with water for farming
Eastern and Western Ghats

7. Monsoon- seasonal wind
October, winter monsoons blow from NE and bring hot, dry air that wither crops
June, wet summer monsoons blow from SW -pick up moisture from Indian Ocean and drench land with daily downpours
If rains are late, famine may occur but if rains are early deadly floods occur

8. Indus Valley Civilization
Emerged in Indus River valley about 2500 BC. Flourished about 1000 years and vanished
Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro (moh HEHN joh Dah roh) twin capitals possibly
Along Indus River, 3 miles in circumference, huge warehouses for grain, and a fortress
Laid out in grid pattern, houses built of oven-fired clay brick, modern plumbing, baths, drains, water chutes, sewers beneath streets.
Uniform weights and measures

9. Harappa

11. Government
Well organized, powerful leaders, possibly priest-kings, made sure all had steady supply of food
Buildings suggest government planners
Had to have mathematical skills to put together

13. Farming and Trade Most Indus Valley people were farmers
First to cultivate cotton and weave into cloth
Area close to Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf so easily reach Sumer. Contact caused system of writing to be born
Cuneiform shows no relationship to Sumer
Traded cotton, grain, copper, pearls, and ivory

14. Religion Polytheistic Mother goddess, source of creation
Sacred bulls that later influenced veneration, or special regard for, cattle

15. Disappearance
Indus Valley cities were declining. Standards not as good, pottery turned crude
Too many trees cut down, volcanic eruption blocked Indus which flooded city, devastating earthquake?!?!?! 1500 BC
Aryans migrated here and overran the Indus region as well

16. Kingdoms of the Ganges Aryan Civilization Somewhat nomadic
Only know what Vadas tells us, collection of prayers and hymns. 1500BC-500BC Vedic Age
Warriors who fought in chariots, loved eating, drinking, and music

17. Expansion and Change
Aryan tribes led by rajahs- chief, most skilled warrior, elected by people
Eventually tribes settled down and learned farming and spread out around Ganges River, 800 BC
500 BC new Indian civilization emerged consisting of many rival kingdoms due to acculturation- blending of two or more cultures

18. Aryan Groups Divided people by occupation
Brahmins- priests Kshatriyas (kuh shat ree yuhz)- warriors Vaisyas (vis yuhz)- herders, farmers, artisans, merchants Sudras- Dravidians (people they conquered) and non-Aryans) farm workers, servants; lowest level of society
(dalits- considered outside the caste system)
Eventually gave rise to caste system, social group born in to and can’t change

19. Aryan Religion Polytheistic- gods embodied natural forces
Brahmins could call on gods for health, wealth, and victory in war
Move towards worshiping brahman- single spiritual power beyond the gods
Also move towards mystics- people who devote life to seeking spiritual truth

20. Literature
Sanskrit- written language that priests used to write down sacred texts
Mahabharata- India’s greatest epic, 100,000 verses. Aryan tribes fighting for Ganges. 5 royal brothers, Pandavas, lose area to cousins but take back after huge battle. Discusses Indian religious beliefs, immortality of the soul, and importance of duty

21. Ramayana- Rama’s bride Sita is kidnapped by demon-king Ravana and story it all about Rama getting his bride back
Stories evolved over time and different morals come from them like role models and loyalty