Ancient India

Chapter 6

The Land of India

• India is a subcontinent• Himalaya Mts. separate India from the rest of

Asia – this allows for the development of a unique culture

The Land of India

• India has two river valleys• Indus River • Gave India it’s name

• Ganges River • Sacred river for Hindus

The Land of India

• Monsoons• Winter – dry winds • Summer – wet winds (rain gathered for

irrigating crops)

India’s First Civilization

• Located in the Indus River Valley in 3000 B.C. – 1500 B.C. (CALLED HARAPPANS)

• Settled there for the fertile soil – FARMING• Two major cities – Harappa and Mohenjo-

Daro• Well organized cities• Indoor bathrooms, garbage chutes, plumbing

system

India’s First Civilization

• No written records• Artifacts found during excavations include –

toys, metal tools, pottery, remains of wheat, barley, etc.

• NO weapons found = peaceful society• http://www.mohenjodaro.net/index.html• Harappans ended because of natural disasters

and invasion

The Aryans

• @ 2000 B.C. settled in the Indus River Valley• Migrated from Indo-Europe, through the

Himalaya Mts. – were nomads• Good warriors• By 1000 B.C. expanded throughout India• Settled and became farmers• Developed a new language – Sanskrit

The Aryans

• Organized into tribes, lead by raja• Developed the caste system to control others• Caste system linked to social classes (p. 200)• Family was the center of life.• Men had more rights than women• Top families had a guru teach their sons• Had arranged marriages