2500 B.C.E. Indus Valley Civilization

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India’s Geographic Features The Indian subcontinent: A large region that is part of a continent, but is separated from the rest of the continent in some way.

Himalayan Mountains This peninsula is surrounded by the Himalayan Mountains. Cultural Isolation: Limited India's contact with other cultures.

Identification of Geographic Features in India Indus River Ganges River Peninsula and/or Subcontinent

Seasonal winds known as monsoons bring rain every summer. India is dependent upon monsoons to grow their crops. Not enough rain brings drought. When there is too much rain, rivers rise and cause deadly floods and destruction of crops.

Carefully Planned Cities Originating around 2500 B.C.E. Around 40,000 people.

Indus Valley Civilization Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were the largest cities Civilizations participated in long-distance trade Possible causes for their Decline: Monsoons destroyed irrigation and farming prospects Invasions Long distance trade collapsed

Aryans Root of the word is arya meaning “noble” or “pure” Spoke an early form of SanskritSanskrit

Aryans and the Vedas The Vedas A collection, in multiple volumes, of hymns, rituals, and philosophies The Vedas include stories that attempt to explain how the world was created, who the gods are, etc. Thought to be the earliest written texts Rig Veda The earliest Veda Originally was recited orally and passed down generation to generation Children began learning the Rig Veda at an early age, would learn to chant each syllable in perfect order

Importance of Aryans: Introduction of a Social Order Each tribe was headed by a raja, or chief Priests were next in importance They learned complicated rituals Rituals typically focused on honoring or appeasing the gods Warrior class Farmers Non-Aryans made up the lowest class They were not slaves They were only allowed to perform the most menial tasks

Caste System The system of dividing society into hereditary groups that limited interaction with each other, especially marriage between castes The hierarchical groups (classes) into which Indian society was divided is called a varna Brahmins (priests) Kshatriyas (warriors and officials) Vaishyas (merchants and artisans) Sudras (peasants and laborers) Dalits (untouchables) outside the caste system

Caste System Brahmins Aryan priests who supported the growth of royal power The only caste that was permitted to perform important, sacred, daily religious rituals Untouchables Were not permitted to participate in or be near religious rituals It is believed that people ended up in this caste as a result of bad karma that accumulated in previous lifetimes Perform(ed) the most menial jobs