2. India’s First Civilizations Ch. 6, Sec. 1 Vocabulary Subcontinentmonsoon Sanskritraja Casteguru

3. The Land of India India is a __________ of Asia—it hangs down and is separated from Asia by the ____________ Mountains. Made up of 5 nations: India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal. It has two fertile river valleys, created by the __________ River and the ___________ River. ____________ are important to climate. –Monsoon—_________________________________________. Winter Monsoon—brings cold, dry air of mountains. Summer Monsoon—brings warm, wet air from Arabian Sea (a lot of RAIN!!!). –Rains begin—farmers celebrate b/c crop will be good. –Rains are delayed—drought will occur & few crops harvested. First Indian civilization arose near ______ River after river flooded & left behind fertile soil.

4. India’s First Civilization Used the rich soil to plant crops & feed families. Plentiful food supply allowed them to support themselves and grow. Began about 3000 B.C. & lasted ‘til 1500 B.C. Know about civilization from studying ruins of 2 major cities: ________________ & Mohenjo-Daro Cities had wells, drains, garbage chutes, & organized govts. Houses made from baked mud bricks, had flat roofs. No real records left of Harrapans. (prosperous & peaceful). Most people were _______. Grew wheat, barley, peas, cotton. City dwellers were _______, made jewelry, pottery, tools, cloth. Traded goods with people from other lands.

5. The Aryans Harrapans collapsed 1500 B.C. due to earthquakes & floods. Group of people, called ________ started settling in region. –Were hunters who also raised/herded cattle. (Cattle were very important—wealth measured by number of cattle) –Also were nomads & expert warriors—had metal-tipped spears & wooden chariots. Aryans helped destroy Harrapans—conquered all of Indian subcontinent, except southern tip. After conquering India, Aryans became _______, but continued to raise cattle. Cattle were so important, Aryans declared them ________! Could not be used for food!!!

6. Aryans Bring Change Aryans skilled iron workers & improved farming in India due to inventing an _________ used to clear jungles. Also built ________ in order to irrigate. Developed new written language: ____________. Organized into tribes—each was led by a ______, or prince. Raja ran own small kingdom that fought among themselves over cattle, treasure, & women kidnapped from other states. One result of Aryan arrival in India was development of a ______ system. –Caste—_____________________________________________. –Caste determines your job, your wife/husband, & your friends!!!

7. Society in Ancient India Why create a caste system? No one is positive, but: Skin color may be part of it. Aryans were light-skinned & thought they were better than dark-skinned people they met in India. People that Aryans encountered in India outnumbered them. Caste system set up rules for everyone’s behavior & allowed Aryans to stay in control. Four levels of Aryan society: 1.Top Level (Brahmans & Kshatriyas)—Priests, rulers, & warriors. 2.2 nd Level (Vaisyas)—Common People. 3.3 rd Level (Sudras)—Unskilled laborers & servants (most people belonged here) 4.4 th Level (Pariahs)—Untouchables. Did work others didn’t want to do.

8. Society in Ancient India Family was the center of life—everyone lived together. Oldest male in family was in charge. _____ lives were considered more important than _____ lives. Most cases, only men could inherit property. Only men were allowed to go to school or become priests. Families at top of Indian society, a boy had a _____, or teacher. Parents arranged marriages. This happens even today. Girls & boys often married in their teens, some as young as 13. Divorce almost never allowed. If couple could not have children, husband could marry a second wife!!! In India, people were cremated. When man from prominent family died, wife was expected to jump into flames!!! If she did not kill herself, it was great shame & woman would be avoided.