1. Indus River Valley Civilization
And Hinduism

2. Emergence of River Valley Civilizations

3. Indus River Valley 2500 BC – 1500 BC
Around 2600 B.C. the various regional cultures were united in what is called the Indus Valley Civilization.
It is also commonly referred to as the Harappan culture after the town of Harappa (where it was first discovered.)

4. Excavations at the ancient Harappan and Mohenjo Daro mounds revealed well planned cities and towns built on massive mud brick platforms that protected the inhabitants against seasonal floods.
In the larger cities the houses were built of baked brick while at smaller towns most houses were built of sun-dried mud brick.
Each city is laid out in a grid pattern and shows signs of stunningly modern plumbing systems.

5. Political System Tribe led by chief and tribal council
Tribes formed small states
Each state ruled by king and council of warriors
Aryans looked down on conquered people
Laws against marriage of Aryans with original valley dwellers
Sons expected to be warriors and perform ritual at fathers funeral

6. Economic System Mostly farmers Barley major crop Most owned their land
System of barter for goods
Cattle later used as money

7. Aryans Aryans were Indo-European nomads
In 1500BCE Aryans invaded the Indus Valley and controlled most of India by 1000BC

8. Aryans Aryans became domesticated. They began farming and they
Created the written
language of Sanskrit
Aryans introduced the caste system as a means of controlling the conquered native population

9. Castes – social stratification

10. Religion - Hinduism Referred to as the Vedic Era
Vedas are the religious texts of the Indus
Vedas described the caste system
A caste system describes a person’s position in society
Position determined by birth

11. Turn to pg. 77 in your textbook
We will read about the class system.
Volunteers will read each paragraph.
After each reading, another student will paraphrase the main idea of the paragraph.
Each of you will record the main idea on the handout.

12. Bell Ringer on Indus River Valley Civilization
What continent was the Indus River Valley located in?
What was the name of the group of nomads who invaded and took over the Indus River Valley Civilization?
What was the major religion founded in the Indus River Valley Civilization?