it is a powerpoint on the early civilizations of india.

1. • What do you know about India?

2. DID YOU KNOW?
Answer the following questions below:
1. Where is India located?
2. What religions are practiced in India?
3. What is the writing system of India?

3. PLAN OF ATTACK
Early Civilizations in
India

4. TODAY’S
OBJECTIVE
Today we will… explore
concepts of Indus and
Aryan Civilizations…
So that we can...
Understand the culture
of India as it is now…

5. EARLY INDIAN
CIVILIZATIONS

6. GEOGRAPHY
Indus Valley located in South Asia (India subcontinent)
• Subcontinent: Large landmass that juts out of a
continent
• Northern Border: Hindu Kush and Himalayas
- Isolation
- Khyber passes : Alllowed for migration and invasion
• Three major zones
1. Northern Plain
2. Deccan Plateau
3. Coastal Plains

7. MAP OF INDIA

8. INDIA’S RIVERS
• Rivers located in Northern Plain
- Fertile Region
Rivers: Indus and Ganges
- Rivers were sacred “mother of the people”….
Monsoons: Seasonal winds
- Bring rain to the land = water for crops
- Too much rain = deadly flooding

9. INDUS VALLEY
CIVILIZATION (2500 BC-
1800 BC)
• “Mystery civilization” rediscovered in 1920s
• Emerged near Indus River
• Archeologist have not fully uncovered
Indus Valley sites
• Indus Cities: Harappa and Mohenjo Daro

10. INDUS ( HARAPPAN) CIVILIZATION
Government
• Harappa and Mohenjo Daro
-Grid pattern layout
• Plumbing systems
Evidence: planned out cities show well organized
government
Economy
• Farming
- 1st to make cotton/ make cloth
• Trading
- Traded in middle east (Sumer) etc.

12. INDUS RELIGION
• Polytheistic
• Mother goddess (Creation)
• Animal worship: buffalos and bulls
Veneration: special regard to cattle

13. MYSTERIOUS DECLINE
• 1750 BC : Quantity of life in Indus Valley was
declining
• Historians do not know why this civilization
collapsed….
Theory 1: Invaders took over cities
Theory 2: Environmental factors (flooding, drought,
earthquake)
Theory 3: All of the above (led into each other)

14. DECLINE OF INDUS CIVILIZATION
• https://youtu.be/oMXuzp3XcB8

15. NOTE BREAK!
Answer the following questions:
1. What are the two rivers in ancient India?
2. What are two achievements the Indus Civilization is known for?
3. How the Indus Civilization collapsed?

16. ARYAN CIVILIZATION
• Between 2000 BC and 1500 BC Aryan Civilization develops
• Ayrans: (noble ones) ruled over India
• Acculturation: blending of cultures
• Left no cities, statues or seals
• Everything we know about them comes from
Vedas: collection of hymns, rituals, and religion teachings

17. ARYAN SOCIETY
• Tribal political system ( small kingdoms)
Rajahs: chiefs of Aryan tribes
- Elected by assembly of warriors
Four Classes of People : based off person’s ability and interest
1. Brahmins (Priests)
2. Kshatriyas (Warriors) *Rulers
3. Vaisya ( Merchants)
4. Sudras (Workers)
• Evolve into Caste System (born into it)

18. ARYAN RELIGION
• Worshiped gods and goddesses (natural forces)
• Indra: chief god and god of war
-Announced the arrival of rain = vital to Indian life
New Religion
Brahman: a single spiritual power, beyond Veda's gods
- Resides in all living things

19. WRITINGS
• Sanskrit: writing system of Indian people
- Priests used to write down sacred texts
• Two Epics:
1. Mahabharata: (100,000 verses) warfare and religion
2. Ramayana: Values

20. EARLY CIVILIZATIONS IN REVIEW
GEOGRAPHY
Indus and Ganges Rivers
Hindu Kush and
Himalayan Mts.
Monsoons
INDUS CIVILIZATION
Mysterious civilization
Grid system cities
Plumbing
1st to make Cotton
Cattle worship
Decline still questioned
ARYAN CIVILIZATION
Vedas
Four classes of people
Indra Brahman
Sanskrit