Chapter 4 Section 1

Key TermsSubcontinentMonsoonsCitadelVedasRajasVarnascastes

India’s GeographyIndus RiverSubcontinent-large

landmass that is part of a continent

3 geographic areasHimalayan and Hindu

Kush MountainsDeccan Plateau (south)Northern Plains,

where civilization developed

India’s GeographyIndus, Ganges, and

Brahamaputra enrich the soil in the plains

Monsoons seasonal windsSumer months

warm air, heavy rains

Winter dry cool wind from central Asia

Drier months

India’s GeographyDepended on

monsoons for waterFlooded rivers and

left siltToo heavy flooding

and destructionToo late can’t grow

enough

Indus Valley Civilizations2500 BC beginningStarted to writeHarappa discovered

1920Mohenjo Daro-

mound of the dead.

Indus Valley CivilizationsWell plannedGrid pattern of streetsHad public sewersCitadel-large walled

and elevated cityEnclosed

GranariesShrinesHomes, and

workshops

Indus Valley CivilizationsEconomy

Agriculture and trade

Cities specializationTraded close and

distantCentral AsiaMesopotamia

Indus Valley CivilizationsSociety

Not learned a lotIndus valley single

societyShared common tool

designsStandard weights

and measures

Indus Valley CivilizationsDecline

2000 BC started to decline

Suffered repeated flooding

River changed course

Invasion or disease

The Vedic Period2000 BC new people

take controlAryans arrivedVedas-sacred

writings include details of Aryan history and society

Vedic PeriodVedic Society

Settled in villagesRajas- regional

leadersUsually a war leaderOffered protection

received food or money

The Vedic PeriodSocial Structure

Divided into four social classes (Varnas)

Each Varna plays a role

Brahmins- priests and teachers

Kshatiyas-warriors and rulers

Vaisyas-traders, herders, farmers

Sudras-servants

The Vedic PeriodSocial Structure

Four Varnas become hundreds of castes

Determined by jobWho you could

marrySome castes had

more privilegesUntouchables were

outside of the caste

The Vedic PeriodVedic Religion

Vedas-mostly hymns and prayers

Describe how people worshipped

Sacrifices Priests claimed that

religious rituals were needed to maintain the universe