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1. Indus Valley Civilization
(Ancient India)
3000 BC-1500 BC

2. What provides us with any
information about the Indus
Valley Civilization?
Why do we know so little
about the Indus Valley
Civilization?

3. The Indus Valley Civilization was located in
the western part of South Asia.
Similar to Ancient China, the people settled
around a river. The Indus River provided
fertile land for this civilization.

4. What do we know about the
Indus Civilization?
Today, we know very little
about the Indus Valley
Civilization. What we do
know has been revealed by
archeologist.
These archeologists began
their study by finding the
remains of 2 major cities:
Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
Remains of Harappa were
found in 1927. Four
hundred miles away the city
of Mohenjo-Daro was found.

5. What Can We Learn From
Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro?
These 2 cities, as well as others
that have been found since, tell
us that the people of the Indus
Valley built huge, planned cities,
with straight streets, and brick
homes with private baths!

12. Pottery
This ancient civilization
must have had
marvelous craftsmen,
skilled in pottery,
weaving, and metal
working. The pottery that
has been found is of very
high quality, with
unusually beautiful
designs. Several small
figures of animals have
been found. These small
figures could be objects
of art or toys.

13. Language
Archeologists have
found no wall
carvings or tomb
paintings. We do
know they had a
written language, but
only a few sentences
on pottery have been
found. We don’t know
what it says.

14. 3-2-1
3 things you learned
2 things you thought were interesting
1 question you still have

15. Indus Valley Civilization
Timeline Directions
Correct Timeline Format
Date
Event Description
Picture
Size
Colored (No Marker; No Pencil)
Neatness
Spelling & Grammar

16. When those
categories were
changed, what
did the Aryans
create?
What 2 categories did
the Aryans change in
the Indus Valley?

17. Religion
Based on the written
language of the Indus
people, as well as the
sculptures,
archeologists believe
that they worshipped
the god Shiva and
cattle.

18. Religious Implications
Although there are
many questions about
the religion of the
Indus people, some
archeologists believe
that early elements of
Hinduism are present
in the area. With the
migration of new
people into the Indus
River area, one of the
world’s oldest
religions is formed.

19. Aryans Invade the Indus Valley
The Aryans were a group of
nomadic people from
western Asia that moved
into the Indus Valley in 1700
BC.
Archeology tells us almost
nothing about the Aryans.
Based on their sacred text
(the Vedas), we are able to
learn about the principles of
the religion that formed in
the Indus Valley.

20. Hinduism
Hinduism originated and is
largely practiced in the country
of India.
Hindus believe in 3 major gods,
as well as other minor gods.
Brahman
Shiva
Vishnu

21. Vedas
Sacred text brought to the area by the
Aryans.
The Vedas are the supreme scripture of
Hinduism.
The Vedas are written in Sanskrit (the
primary language of Hinduism).
They contain:
– religious prayers
– magical spells
– lists of the gods
and goddesses

22. Reincarnation & Karma
The core belief of
Hinduism is to pursue
truth and do “what is
right”. They also
believe that the soul
is neither created or
destroyed.
Therefore, Hindus
believe that the soul
is reincarnated (born
again in another form)
based on a person’s
karma (actions of a
previous life).

23. The Aryan Caste
System & Hinduism
When the Aryans arrived in the
Indus Valley, they were divided
into classes of people.
Over time, strict rules were put in
place as to how these caste, or
classes, could interact with each
other.
Originally, a person’s caste was
determined by his or her skin
color. The Aryans, who were
light-skinned, made up the higher
classes. The original people of
the Indus Valley made up the
lowest caste.
With the idea of reincarnation and
karma, the caste system became
a major part of Hinduism and
affected India for many years.

24. What is a caste system?
A caste system is
a social structure
that is completely
based on heredity.

25. Caste System
(Social
Structure)
Shudras
Vaishyas
Kshatriyas
Untouchables
Brahmins

26. Sentence Synthesis
Use two of the following words in one
sentence:
Aryan Hinduism
caste system Vedas
polytheistic Brahman
Vishnu Shiva
reincarnation karma
*Your sentence must show meaning!

27. Definition: Category:
nomad
Cultural
People who move
from place to place
Examples:
Aryans

28. Definition: Category:
Vedas
Religion
Sacred text of
Hinduism
Examples:
Hinduism

29. Definition: Category:
polytheistic
Religion
The belief in many
gods
Examples:
Hinduism

30. Definition: Category:
caste system
Cultural
Social structure
based on heredity
Examples:
India

31. Caste System Pyramid
Directions
Correct Pyramid Format (in
correct order)
Identify Caste on Pyramid
Picture for Each Caste
Size
Colored (No Marker; No Pencil)
Neatness
Spelling & Grammar

32. Pattern Puzzles
1. You will be given an index card.
2. Read the index card and decide
which frisbee it should be placed in.
3. Place your index card in the correct
frisbee.