All about the Indus River Valley

All about the Indus River Valley

General InformationRiver CivilizationsThe 1st civilizations arose near rivers.

The people of the Indus Valley farmed along the Indus River.

Subcontinent a large landmass that is set apart from the rest of the continent by a physical feature

Indian Subcontinent separated from Asia by the Hindu Kush and the Himalayas ~ includes: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan

Record these notes after reading pg. 200Point put that the Subcontinent is about 2,000 miles from the North to the South 2

Point out the countries that make up the subcontinentIndia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan 3

Point out the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush and that they separate the Indian Subcontinent from the rest of Asia4Questions 1 and 2What physical feature was central to early civilizations?

Which river formed the basis of Indias first civilization?Question 3What countries make up the Indian Subcontinent? Identify at least 4Physical FeaturesFeatures on the landscape that were formed by natural processes. Ex. mountains, rivers, lakes

Have students record this information on the characteristics of civilized societies page see notebook for exampleHave students write the underlined parts

7HimalayasThe planet's tallest mountain range, including the highest,Mount Everest. Provides a natural border for India.

Have students record this information on the characteristics of civilized societies page see notebook for exampleHave students write the underlined parts8Indus and Ganges RiversTwo of the most important geographic features in India, providing water sources and creating fertile land.

Have students record this information on the characteristics of civilized societies page see notebook for exampleHave students write the underlined parts

9Question 4What natural barriers separate the Indian subcontinent from the rest of Asia?Question 5The continental United States is about 2,400 miles wide. How does this length compare to the Indian subcontinent?

River Systems ~ Indus River part 1 envelope Flows across the Northwestern part of the subcontinentSnow and ice from the mountains melt and drain into the rivers, when the rivers flood it leaves behind siltRiver water allowed for irrigation

Record in the envelope foldable after reading pg. 201 12Indias 1st Civilization part 2 envelope Civilization grew around the Indus ValleyDeveloped in an area that is DRY most of the year

Record in the envelope foldable after reading pg. 201

13River Systems ~ Ganges River part 3 envelope Flows across the Northern part of the subcontinentFloods create a HUGE, fertile plain good for farming this is the Ganges PlainThe rich Ganges Plain was the CENTER of another civilizationRecord in the envelope foldable after reading pg. 201

14Question 6Why were river floods a welcome event for early Indus Valley people?Question 7What fertile plain is located in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent?

Climate part 4 envelope Monsoons-seasonal wind patterns that cause wet and dry seasonsMuch of India has a Tropical climateWinter- dry blow from the landSummer-wet blow from the ocean

Question 8What impact do monsoons have on agriculture in India?

Discuss that the two major cities Harappa and Mohenjo Daro are part of the 1st Indus Valley CivilizationPoint out that the River empties into the Arabian Sea

19Beginning of Indus River Valley below envelopeThe Indus River Valley Civilization started about 2500 B.C.E.

Along the south-western part of the Indus River.

The largest city was Mohenjo-Daro, in present day Pakistan.

Settlements stretched all along the river.

Record BELOW the foldable previously used20Impact of Geography 3 tab NATURAL BORDERS Borders made of land or waterMountains- Himalayas, Hindu KushWater- Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian OceanPrevented invasion and diseaseFARMING / IRRIGATIONUsed the rivers and rain from the monsoons to wter crops TRAVELLocation to rivers allowed for easy travel and trade

Record on the three tab foldable21Timeline7000 B.C began growing crops around Indus River SystemWith a steady food supply population grew3000 B.C cities began to develop on the Indus Valley plain2500 B.C cities were the center of civilization 1700 B.C civilization disappeared1921 ruins were discovered for Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro

Record on timeline

22Question 9When did cities begin to develop in the Indus Valley?Question 10When did the Indus Valley civilization flourish?Technology 3 tabCities were well plannedWide straight streets built in a grid a patternBuilt thick walls around the cityBuilt huge raised mound of earth and brick-remained above water during floodsHouses had bathrooms and toiletsTrash chutes in many houses led to a bin in the streetsWaste water flowed into brick-lined sewage channels-1st sewage systemMathAdvanced system of weights and measurement based on units of 10

Record after reading pg. 202-203

25Question 11Why do archaeologist say that Indus Valley cities were well planned?Farming 2 tabIrrigation channels the monsoons were not predictableIrrigation channels and ditches brought water to the wheat and barley fieldsCrops and animals1st farmers to grow cotton for clothRaised cattle, sheep, goats, and chickensSurplus crops were stored in a GRANARY~ a special building to hold grain

Record after reading pg. 202-203

27

Trade ~The economy depended greatly on trade 3 tabItems made and soldMade jewelry from precious stonesCotton cloth was woven and soldTeak woodTrade Mesopotamia EgyptAdvancement in technology led to carts and early boats that were used as the main method of trade and travel.

Seals and WeightsTraders used seals to identify their goods.Seals were stamped on clay squares attached to their goods.Accurate weights and measures increased trade.Record after reading pg. 202-203

28Question 12What items were exported for trade?Question 13What advancements aided trade?Cities

Mohenjo-Daro 3 tabDesignLaid out in 12 blocksBlocks measured 1260 feet north to south750 feet east to westA central block on the west was raised 20 to 40 feet above the other blocksThe raised block is believed to be the center for religionLarge buildings with verandasSupersized granaryTwo assembly hallsHouses had bathrooms and sanitation facilities

Record after reading pg. 202-203

32Government 3 tabThese items suggest that there was a STRONG central government:Cities were well organized and show a high level of planningUsed a common system of weight and measurementsNo royal statues or tombs makes is unlikely that a king ruled.THERE IS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO DETERMINE THE TYPE OF GOVERNMENT THAT DID EXIST.

Record after reading pg. 204-20533Religion 3 tabLittle is knownNo temples and no clear signs of priestsThe statues that have been found resemble the Gods in the HinduismMany Indus Valley carvings look like people meditating an important practice in Hinduism

rd after reading pg. 204-205

34Writing

We are still not sure how to read the Seals that have been found.

Social Structure- Caste SystemCaste system with four main classes Verna- a caste grouping

People were born into social classes that could not be changed.

Brahmins (priests and the king) Kshatriyas (warriors and aristocrats - rulers) Vaishyas (cultivators, artisans, and merchants) Shudras (peasants and serfs)Twice BornMen in the TOP 3 varnas were twice born1st physical birth2nd spiritual birth this happened after the individual read the Vedas and mastered writing using SanskirtDalitsa caste grouping that was added later for people they others Castes are untouchablesThese pole completed the dirty jobs: cleaning the toilets, butchering animals, etc

Buildings and StructuresAll houses had access to water and were about the same size

Houses had one or two stories

Most buildings were made of dry bricks

No large monuments or structures

Individual buildings for bathing and using the restroom (had an early "sanitation" system)

Citadels were used for defense

ToolsWeaponsTechnologyUsed Bronze, Copper, IronUsed Bronze to makeLarge Irrigation SystemClay Used for Art and ToolsNot as advance as Mesopotamia1st to create measurement and weighing equipmentMeasuring system and tools for measurement(1st and most accurrate)Arrows were crafted

Swords were madeMost technology was used to help agricultureBecause of isolated geography there was no need for advanced weaponry.Boats and carts were used to help with tradeReligionHinduism 1700-1100 B.C.E.

Buddhism 365 B.C.E.

Gender RolesMen worked within their designated caste social class

Women were valued because of their ability to produce offspring and nurse

When children were old enough, they adopted their parents' role