Early Indian Civilization Lesson 2 pp. 134-9 All information taken from World Adventures in Time and Place. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001.

Vocabulary Citadel Migrate Harappa Mohenjo-Daro Sanskrit

READ ALOUD In 1921 archaeologists gathered around a huge dirt mound on the southern plains of the Indus Valley. They knew remains of the past lay hidden beneath the mound. Earlier visitors had found artifacts there. But how old were the remains? What would they reveal about how Indian people lived long ago? As the archaeologists dug down, the ruins of a great city began to appear. A new understanding about India’s ancient past had begun.

The Big Picture Location Knowledge 1000 miles from Iraq (Mesopotamia) Civilizations still traded 4000 years ago Knowledge Least is known about Indus River Valley Archeologists can’t read the writing Few artifacts and remains have been found

A Civilization in the Indus Valley Harappa In the northern part of Indus Valley Ruins named after an Indian god What people called themselves when they lived is unknown It lasted from 2500 B.C. to 1600 B.C. Mohenjo-Daro – “Mound of the Dead” (Sanskrit) Found a year later Exactly like Harappa 400 mile south

A City Along the Indus Mohenjo-Daro (p. 135) Population – 40,000 Dozens of crisscrossing streets Large – paved with tan bricks Smaller – narrower; unpaved Brick houses Small One-room buildings Multi-sotries Airy courtyards/balconies West end – citadel Surrounded by thick walls protecting from flood and attacks Huge grain warehouse for barely and wheat

Life in Mohenjo-Daro (p. 136) Challenge for archaeologists because they can’t read language but can look at structure of city City Planning Exact measuring of buildings Same sized bricks Dug wells located throughout city Sewers with manholes

Drawing conclusions Historians think Mohenjo-Daro had a “strong central government” since Harappa had same layout Citadel exhibited a building with large pillars that perhaps served as city hall that “overlooked the city”(p. 137). - bath may have been used for religious practices

Working in Mohenjo-Daro Metalworkers Copper fish hooks Razors Bronze statue Weavers - First time in history - wove cotton cloth Farmers Produced surplus Stored in warehouse Grain collected for taxes Possibly payment to government workers Workers were highly skilled Builders Engineer Craftworkers Stone carvers Figures in small squares of stone May be used to mark belongings Potters Water jars Cooking bowls containers

Harappan Trade Traded near and far Sold stone seals to “Iran” Bought blue stones from “Afghanistan” Beads/necklaces made on stones from India Above were traded in Mesopotamia Trip made in sail boats Used field birds to locate land

Newcomers Mohenjo-Daro deserted around 1600 B.C. Earthquake changed course of river No water; no civilization Earthquake could have caused destructive flood 1500 B.C.invaded by Aryans Originally from central Asia Herded cattle and sheep on horseback Came from Hindu Kush Mountains Means “noble ones” in Sanskrit Brought their language Brought new ideas Brought new religion

Why It Matters Harappan civilization lasted 1000 years Farmers produced a surplus food Population fed Civilization grew Workers produced cotton cloth, stone seals and drainage systems for all of civilization Destroyed by waters that also produced it. Aryans came blending cultures

Main Ideas Little is known about the Harappan civilization because its writing system has not yet been figured out. The city of Mohenjo-Daro included many brick buildings and a huge citadel. The city also had a sewer system more advanced than any other of its time. The orderly layout of the city and its large grain warehouse suggest that Mohenjo-Daro wa ruled by a strong local government. Harappan merchants traded goods in many places, some of which were as far away as Mesopotamia. In about 1500 B.C. people called Aryans migrated to the Indian sub-continent. They brought new ideas to the region.

Think About It Why is the ancient Indus Valley civilization called Harappan civilization? What have historians learned about Harappan civilization from written sources? What have they learned from building remains in cities like Mohenjo-Daro?

Focus What do we know about the early culture of Mohenjo-Daro?

Thinking Skill Based on the information in thi leson, what conclusions can you make about the people who lived in Mohenjo-Daro? What evidence supports your opinions?

Geography Draw the map showing the migration of the Aryans and trade routes