1. Introduction
Chapter Introduction
This chapter will introduce you to the Civilizations of Early India. You will learn about the Indus Valley civilization, the Vedic age, and religions that emerged in early India.
Section 1: Indus Valley Civilization
Section 2: India’s Vedic Age
Section 3: Hinduism
Section 4: Buddhism

2. How much does geography
myStory
How much does geography
affect people’s lives?
Remind students that this graphic organizer may be found in their Student Journals. Have them think about the importance of climate and waterways on Amala’s life. Then have students use a graphic organizer to make notes about the effects of geography on their own community.

3. What geographic features
Indus Valley Civilization
What geographic features
affected early India?
Ask students to look at the map in their textbooks of the Indian subcontinent. Have them locate the Himalaya, Hindu Kush, Indus River, Ganges River, Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean. Ask students to predict how the mountains and waterways will affect the people of ancient India.

4. Key Ideas The first civilization of the Indian Subcontinent
Indus Valley Civilization
Key Ideas
The first civilization of the Indian Subcontinent
developed along the Indus River.
The Indus Valley civilization had large,
well-planned cities, a strong government,
and an extensive trade network.

5. Indus Valley Civilization
Key Ideas
We do not understand the Indus Valley civilization’s writing, so its politics, religion, and history remain a mystery.

6. Indus Valley Civilization
Key Terms
subcontinent—large landmass that is set apart from the rest of the continent
river system—main river and all of the other rivers and streams that drain into it
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the Early Civilizations of India chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

7. Key Terms monsoon—seasonal winds that bring rain to
Indus Valley Civilization
Key Terms
monsoon—seasonal winds that bring rain to
the Indian subcontinent during parts of the
year
granary—special building used to hold grain
citadel—fortified area of a city
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the Early Civilizations of India chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

8. The Indian Subcontinent
Indus Valley Civilization
The Indian Subcontinent
For much of history, the region of South Asia was known simply as India.
The towering Himalayas and Hindu Kush ranges separate the Indian subcontinent from the rest of Asia.
Seasonal winds, called monsoons, influence the climate of the region.

9. What countries make up South Asia today?
Indus Valley Civilization
What countries make up South Asia today? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Have students use a map and what they have read in the section to list the present-day countries on the Indian subcontinent.

10. The Indian Subcontinent
Indus Valley Civilization
The Indian Subcontinent
Two major rivers systems begin in the Himalayas and wind across the subcontinent.
The Indus River flows through Pakistan.
The Ganges River flows across
northern India.

11. An Advanced Civilization
Indus Valley Civilization
An Advanced Civilization
Farming began in the Indus river system
around 7000 B.C.
Farmers grew wheat and barley and settlements emerged.

12. An Advanced Civilization
Indus Valley Civilization
An Advanced Civilization
By 2500 B.C., well-planned cities such as Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro had developed.
Archaeologists have discovered irrigation channels, granaries, and brick-lined sewers.
City streets were laid out in a grid pattern.

13. An Advanced Civilization
Indus Valley Civilization
An Advanced Civilization
Archaeologists have also found jewelry, pottery, and stone seals.
Farming and trade were important to the advanced Indus Valley cities.
Accurate weights and measures helped promote trade.

14. What were some achievements of the Indus Valley people?
Indus Valley Civilization
What were some achievements of the Indus Valley people?
Indus Valley Achievements
Have students use information in the section to identify achievements of the Indus Valley people. Help them complete the graphic organizer.

15. Indus Valley Mysteries
Indus Valley Civilization
Indus Valley Mysteries
Scholars have been unable to decipher the
writing of the Indus Valley civilization, so its
politics, religion, and history remain a mystery.
Another mystery is why the Indus Valley
civilization disappeared around 1700 B.C.

16. What evidence suggests that the Indus Valley people
Indus Valley Civilization
What evidence suggests that
the Indus Valley people
had a strong central government?
Evidence of a Strong Central Government

17. Indus Valley Civilization Disappears
What are some possible explanations for the disappearance of Indus Valley civilization? •
Indus Valley Civilization Disappears
Discuss with students the possible explanations scholars give for the disappearance of the Indus Valley civilization.