The Land of India Chapter 6 Section 1

Today’s Discussion Questions 5-1 Describe India’s geography. What 5 nations occupy the Indian subcontinent? India’s fertile river valleys are formed by what two major rivers? How did monsoons affect early Indian settlements? Where and when did India’s first civilization arise? What do we know about India’s 1 st Civilizations and cities? Who were the Aryans?

Geography India is a subcontinent Separated from Asia by the Himalaya mountains Mostly dry, hilly plateau Surrounded by the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean.

5 Nations of the Indian Subcontinent India Pakistan Nepal Bhutan Bangladesh

India has 2 fertile river valleys Both are fed by the mountains in the north Melting snow flows into the Ganges and Indus Rivers The water is used in the land near these rivers to farm. Ganges River runs south of the Himalaya into the Indian Ocean. The Indus River empties into the Arabian sea South of the river valleys is a dry hilly Deccan Plateau The eastern and western coasts of India are lush, fertile plains.

India’s Monsoons Monsoons are strong winds that blow one direction in winter and the opposite direction in summer. Important part of India’s climate The winter monsoon brings cold, dry air of the mountains. The summer monsoon brings warm, wet air from the Arabian Sea, which produces drenching rains.

Timing is Everything If either monsoon is delayed, farmers suffer. They will cause drought or floods Example 1: If the summer monsoon is delayed, a drought will occur. Few crops can be harvested and people will starve. Example 2: If the winter monsoon is delayed, a flood could occur due to the lack of dry air and too much rain.

India’s First Civilization Began near the Indus River Time period: 3000 BC-1500 BC When the river flooded nearby land, it left behind rich, fertile soil. Farmers used the rich soil to grow crops to feed their families. Due to the plentiful supply of food, people could do other things such as making tools and building houses. (Job Specialization)

India’s First Civilization Consisted of more than a thousand villages and towns Stretched from the Himalaya to the Arabian Sea Had 2 major cities Harappa Mohenjo-Daro

Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro Well planned cities Fortress was built on a brick platform to keep guard over the residents. Wide main streets and smaller side streets A wall surrounded each neighborhood, and narrow lanes separated the houses. Houses were mud brick with flat roofs All houses were built with a similar layout.

Harappan Society Left no written records Their ruins reveal religion and politics were closely connected. Most were farmers. They grew rice, wheat, barley, peas, and cotton. City dwellers made copper and bronze tools, clay pottery, and cotton cloth as well as jewelry from gold, shells, and ivory. Very few weapons have been found Organized Government

City Dwellers Wells supplied water Indoor bathrooms Wastewater flowed to drains under the streets, running through pipes to pits outside city walls Houses had garbage chutes connected to a bin in the street. City government was well organized to be able to provide such services

The Aryans Invade & Settle Hunters and cattle herders Nomads and excellent warriors Used metal-tipped spears and wooden chariots Known for conquering all of the Indian subcontinent except the southern tip

Aryans Settle Became farmers and settled in permanent villages Raised cattle Invented the iron plow and built canals to improve farming Created a written language called Sanskrit Tribes were led by a raja, or prince

End of Section 1

Exit Slip! “…Betta Have My Money!” You owe me $8.00! Write a summary of today’s lesson. Be sure to include the main ideas and key information covered… without using your notes! Each word is worth 10 cents. You must have a minimum of 80 words in your summary.

5-2 Questions (Part I) What was the caste system? What parts of life did the caste system affect? Who were the “Untouchables”? What were some basic rules of the Caste System?

Society in Ancient India A caste is a social group that someone is born into and usually cannot change. Affected jobs, marriage, all aspects of social life. It was not always permanent.  Different castes gained or lost favor in society as caste members gained wealth and power.  On rare occasions, people could change caste.

The Caste System Both men and women belonged to caste. In the early Aryan period, women had nearly the same rights as men. However, over time laws were passed to limit those rights. By the late Aryan period, a segment of early Indian society had developed that did not belong to any caste. This group was called the “Untouchables”.  Could only hold certain unpleasant jobs

To keep the classes distinct, the Aryans developed sutras, or guides, which listed all the rules of the caste system. For example:  Marriages among different castes not allowed.  Men’s lives considered to be more important than women’s  Only men could inherit property  Only men were allowed to attend school or become priests  Parents arranged marriages and divorce was not allowed Because of these rules, most people remained in the same caste.

Today’s Assignment Define Chapter 5 Vocabulary on page 129. Complete them in the order of the list. Number each term. There are a total of 26 terms. Due Monday!