Indus River Valley Civilization

I. Geography of the Indus River Valley

I. Geography of the Indus River Valley

I. Geography of the Indus River Valley

1. Geography

A. Physical barriers such as the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush, and the Indian Ocean made invasion difficult.

B. Mountain passes, such as the Khyber Pass, in the Hindu Kush provided invasion routes.

I. Geography of the Indus River Valley

2. River Valley

A. The Indus and Ganges rivers are the most important rivers on the Indian subcontinent

INDUS RIVER

GANGES RIVER

I. Geography of the Indus River Valley

3. Seasonal Winds

A. Monsoon Winds

1. Summer winds (July-Sept.) from the SW bring large amounts of rain

2. Replenished the soil, but heavy rains also killed people, animals, and destroyed villages.

II. Indus River Civilization (2500 BC – 1500 BC)1. Centrally Planned Cities

A. Major Cities-States

1. Harappa

2. Mohenjo-Daro

II. Indus River Civilization (2500 BC – 1500 BC)

II. Indus River Civilization (2500 BC – 1500 BC)B. City Design

1. A fortress, called a citadel, built of brick overlooked each city

2. Each city laid out in a grid system

Each city had a strong central fortress, or citadel, on a brick platform

Excavated ruins of Mohenjo-daro

II. Indus River Civilization (2500 BC – 1500 BC)B. City Design

3. Used oven-baked bricks to build houses

a. Homes had flat wooden roofs

b. Some homes were several stories high

4. Sewer system beneath the streets

a. Some homes had a bathrooms and garbage chute

Both cities were planned with wide streets, water systems, public baths, and brick sewers

Ruins of Harappa

Storehouses for grain indicate careful planning and a strong central government

Harappa granary

II. Indus River Civilization (2500 BC – 1500 BC)2. Harappan Life (Social Division not significant in society)

A. Most people were farmers

1. Grew wheat, barley, rice, and cotton

B. Cities also had artisans

1. Worked with metals

2. Mass-produced pottery

C. Trade

1. Traded with Mesopotamia as early as 2300 BC

Ceramic sculpture of a small cart with vases and tools pulled by

oxen, from Mohenjo-daro

II. Indus River Civilization (2500 BC – 1500 BC)

3. Language and Religion

A. Pictograms

1. We can’t read this

Indus Valley Seals

II. Indus River Civilization (2500 BC – 1500 BC)3. Language and Religion

B. Religion

1. We don’t know much about their religion (no temples or shines have been found)

2. Animal and human figures suggest Harappans worshipped gods associated with natural forces.

II. Indus River Civilization (2500 BC – 1500 BC)4. Collapse (Occurred around 1500 BC)

A. Not sure why. Theories include:

1. Floods or Invasions from enemies

One theory is the Indo-Aryans invadedaround 1500 BC andTook over the Indus River Area.