1. India’s First Civilizations

2. The Land of India
India- a subcontinent because it is separated from the rest of Asia by the Himalayas (highest mountains in the world)
Indian subcontinent holds 6 nations: India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka
India has 2 fertile river valleys created by the Ganges River and Indus River
Monsoon = a strong wind that blows one
direction in winter and the opposite direction
in summer
Brings rain in summer

3. Harrapa and Mohenjo-Daro – large, well-planned cities
Early civilizations arose near the Indus River after the river flooded and left fertile soil behind
This civilization started about 3000 B.C B.C.
Harrapa and Mohenjo-Daro – large, well-planned cities
Called the Harrapan or Indus civilization
Had wells, drains for wastewater, garbage chutes, organized governments
Houses made from baked mud bricks

4. Most people were farmers
Grew wheat, barley, peas, cotton
City dwellers were artisans
Made jewelry, pottery, tools, cloth
Harrapans traded their goods with people from other lands

5. The Aryans Came from central Asia where they raised and herded cattle
Historians believe they were part of a larger group referred to as Indo-Europeans
Expert warriors and hunters
Had metal-tipped spears and wooden chariots
Aryan civilization expanded into all of the Indian subcontinent except the southern tip of India

6. The Aryans became farmers but continued to raise cattle
Cattle provided meat, milk, butter
Cattle were so important, that the Aryans eventually declared them sacred
Aryan technology improved farming in India by inventing an iron plow and building canals
Sanskrit = Aryan written language
Aryan tribes led by a raja- prince

7. Society in Ancient India
Caste = a social group that someone is born into and cannot leave
Aryans believed in four classes, or varnas
Top two varnas were Brahmins (priests), and Kshatriyas (warriors) who ran the government and army
Next class- Vaisyas (common people like merchants and farmers)
Below them- Sudras (unskilled laborers, servants)
Lowest level doesn’t belong to any varna- Pariahs (Untouchables)- did work others didn’t want to do

8. Men had more rights than women
Only sons could inherit property
Only men allowed to go to school or become priests
A boy from a top varna was often taught by a guru (teacher)
Husband could marry a 2nd wife if 1st wife couldn’t have children
Suttee- the practice of a wife leaping into the flames as her husband is being cremated (burned)
Parents arranged marriages
Divorce not allowed
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