1. Chapter 6.1 Geography of India
Ancient India
Chapter 6.1
Geography of India

2. Bellwork: THINK! From where are the first people said to have migrated? 2. After early people decided to stop hunting and gathering their food, why do you think they chose to settle in these areas of the world? 3. Can you name these ancient civilizations?

3. After migrating north from Africa, early people settled along the Indus River to start their communities. Just like other civilizations, they started to farm and build their own communities by setting up a unique written language, trade system, and government.

4. The Geography of India India is a subcontinent Large landmass
Smaller than a continent
Part of the continent of Asia

5. Mountains, Plains, Valleys, and Rivers Oh my
Mountains, Plains, Valleys, and Rivers Oh my! To what region in India would you migrate?

6. Major Geographic Landforms
Himalayas- northern border
Ganges and Indus Rivers most important rivers
Deccan Plateau makes up southern part
Himalayas
Deccan Plateau

7. Mountains Himalayas Tallest mountain range in the world
Contains Mt. Everest
Tallest mountain peak in the world
29,000 feet tall (5.5 miles)

8. Mountains
Hindu Kush
Border India to the northwest

9. Plains and Valleys Fertile plains at the foot of the mountains
Ganges Plain, Indus River Valley
Owe rich soil to 3 great rivers
Indus River
Ganges River
Brahmaputra River
Rivers provide farming, transportation, trade

10. 3 Major Rivers 1) Indus River = major river in Asia
Flows through Pakistan
Fed from glaciers in Himalayas

11. 2) Ganges River Located in plains of northern India
Holy River of Hinduism
For most of its course it is a wide and sluggish stream, flowing through one of the most fertile and densely populated regions in the world. Despite its importance, its length of 1,560 miles (2,510 km) is relatively short compared with the other great rivers of Asia or of the world.

12. 3) Brahmaputra River major river of Central and South Asia.
It flows some 1,800 miles (2,900 km) from its source in the HIMALAYAS to its confluence with the GANGES (GANGA) RIVER,
For most of its length, the river serves as an important inland waterway; it is not, however, parts of it you can not travel on
In its lower course the river is both a creator and a destroyer—depositing huge quantities of fertile soil but also causing disastrous and frequent floods.

13. Other Landforms Along west coast, fertile lands
Inland are two chains of mountains (Western and Eastern Ghats)
Between mountains Deccan Plateau

14. Climate Monsoons-seasonal winds
Winter-monsoons blow cold, dry air from Himalaya east to west
Summer-warmer land temperatures cause the winds to change direction. Winds blow west to east-bring warm, wet air and pouring rains

15. The Indus Valley Civilizations
About 5,000 years ago, nomads settled in Indus River Valley
Think -- 3 reason: Why do you think they settled here?
Modern day Pakistan
Spread over western
India and Pakistan

16. Work on and study all your student notes on Ch. 6 India (2 pages)
Quiz tomorrow over India Vocab and Map
Work on and study all your student notes on Ch. 6 India (2 pages)

18. The Indus Valley Civilizations
About 5,000 years ago, nomads settled in Indus River
Modern day Pakistan
Spread over western India and Pakistan

19. Indus Valley Civilization
Indus River Valley
2600 B.C. – 1900 B.C.
Most were farmers

20. Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro
Large cities
Houses made of mud bricks
Indoor plumbing
Left no written records

21. Aryan Migrations and Settlements
c.1900 B.C Indus Valley people left
- drought
- earthquakes and floods
Aryans came from Asia
- Ruled by rajas (prince)

22. Writing Aryans developed a written language, Sanskrit Vedas
- sacred texts
- songs, stories, and prayers

23. Caste System

24. Caste System Aryans developed social classes or groups
Could never change groups
Rules for life (marriage, work, and friendship)
4 classes called the varnas

25. Caste System The Brahmins were at the top - priests - most power
Next were the Kshatriyas or the warriors
Ran the government and army

26. Caste System Vaisyas - common people
- farmers, craftspeople, and merchants
Sudras
manual workers and servants
few rights
largest group

27. Caste System Untouchables - too low to even be part of the system
- live apart
- did the dirty work

28. The Untouchables Video
7 mins