Indus River Valley Civilization

Indus River

Geographic Features Indus River Flows southwest from the Himalayan Mountains The Delta flows into the Arabian Sea Natural Barriers Himalayan and Hindu Kush Mountains Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean

Sub Continent - –Separated from the rest of Asia by natural barriers Monsoon- a seasonal wind –June to September(summer monsoon) dropping torrential rains –October to May(winter monsoon) dry hot air bring temperatures of over 100 Indus Environment

Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro Large cities existing from 2500B.C. to 1500B.C Unable to decipher the written language First planned cities in history –Wide, straight streets divided into square city blocks –Strong central government –Established standard weights and measurements

Well Planned Cities

Unknown Language

City Streets

Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro Economic Life –A thriving agricultural economy –Built channels to bring water from rivers to fields –Food surpluses increased trade –Indus valley the first to grow cotton

Irrigated fields

Hinduism Founded around 1500B.C.-1000B.C. Polytheistic –Brahma-Creator, Vishnu-Preserver, Shiva-destroyer Religious texts include the Vedas and the Upanishads Reincarnation- rebirth of the soul Karma- the sum of all actions in a person’s life will affect his or her fate in the next life

Reincarnation- rebirth of the soul

Caste